{"product_id":"lace-monitor","title":"Lace Monitor | Varanus varius","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eLarge, intelligent and genuinely impressive, the Lace Monitor is one of Australia's great goannas and a species strictly for the experienced keeper. Active and inquisitive, it needs a big, secure enclosure and constant enrichment to thrive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eNatural origin for this listing is the forests and woodlands of eastern Australia, where this powerful climber ranges widely between the ground and the tree canopy. The enclosure should recreate that with a very large, extremely secure setup, sturdy climbing timber, deep substrate for digging, a basking platform and a spacious hide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA healthy specimen is muscular and long-limbed, dark slate to bluish-black overpainted with bands of cream to yellow spotting and a boldly banded tail. Adult size is generally 150–200 cm total length, so the animal should never be purchased only for its current size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemperament is best described as bold, alert and powerful, capable of a strong bite, tail whip and sharp claws, and demanding respect and careful handling. Keep one monitor per enclosure; adults are best housed alone and only paired under supervision for breeding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeed as a carnivore; whole prey such as appropriately sized rodents and day-old chicks, insects, eggs and lean meats, with whole-prey items preferred for balanced nutrition. Feed growing animals several times weekly and adults less often to prevent obesity, dusting non-whole items with calcium, and pausing over the cooler months when digestion slows.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn adult needs a very large enclosure, ideally a purpose-built room or aviary-scale setup measured in metres rather than centimetres. Provide a high, focused basking zone of 45–55 °C, an ambient of 28–32 °C, and a night-time drop. UVB is essential for this diurnal species. Keep humidity low to moderate, provide deep substrate for digging, robust climbing timber, a large water container big enough to submerge in, and clean frequently given the size of the animal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBreeding follows seasonal cooling. Females often lay their clutch inside active termite mounds, which regulate incubation, with eggs hatching after a long incubation of several months. Breeding is a specialist undertaking and not expected for most keepers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVaranus varius\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLace Monitor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eForests and woodlands of eastern Australia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e150–200 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e15–20+ years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBold, alert and powerful; for experienced keepers\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAdvanced\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Enclosure Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVery large, measured in metres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Enclosure Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePurpose-built room or aviary-scale enclosure\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore – whole prey, insects, eggs \u0026amp; lean meats\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBasking Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e45–55 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAmbient Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e28–32 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUVB Required\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes — UV Index 3.0–5.0 at basking + 10–12% UVB (T5 HO fluorescent) — high - large heliothermic monitor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHumidity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLow to moderate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAdvanced keepers with room-scale housing\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLicence Required\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes - reptile keeper's licence in most Australian states\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eNone. Adults are housed alone and only introduced to another individual briefly and under close supervision for breeding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eDo not house with other monitors, reptiles or any other animals, which risk serious aggression, injury or predation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSize options reflect the sizes we stock; any shown as sold out will return as we restock. Australian livestock for in-store collection or local delivery, with our live arrival guarantee. A reptile keeper's licence is required to buy and keep native reptiles and amphibians in most Australian states - please ensure you hold the appropriate licence for your state before purchasing.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55234114552099,"sku":"AA3466","price":795.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/lace-monitor.jpg?v=1781504313","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/lace-monitor","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}