{"product_id":"mangrove-monitor-blue-phase","title":"Mangrove monitor blue phase | Varanus chlorostigma","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Mangrove Monitor blue phase is a large, semi-aquatic goanna carrying a cooler, blue-toned cast to its spotting - a powerful swimmer and confident climber, and a striking choice for the dedicated keeper with serious space.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis Australasian monitor lives along tropical coasts, tidal rivers and mangrove systems across the far north of Australia and into New Guinea, hunting through the water and shoreline vegetation and basking hard between forays. Natural origin for this listing is coastal northern Australia. The enclosure should recreate that warm, humid, waterside habitat with a large swimming pool, sturdy climbing branches, deep substrate and a strong, broad basking site well clear of the water.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA healthy specimen is powerful and well-muscled with bright eyes, a clean vent and a strong laterally flattened tail built for swimming. The blue phase shows dark olive to near-black ground colour lifted by cool blue-white to silvery ocelli rather than the usual warm yellow, and like all mangrove monitors the skin is notably delicate. Adult size is generally 100–150 cm total length, so the animal should never be purchased only for its current size.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemperament is best described as bold, active and food-driven, and while individuals can become accustomed to their keeper, this is a large monitor that demands respect around feeding. It is best housed one to an enclosure; monitors do not need company, and cohabiting risks stress, food competition and injury, so animals are only brought together deliberately for supervised breeding.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeed as a carnivore; a varied diet of fish, crustaceans such as yabbies and prawns, whole prey like rodents and quail, eggs and gut-loaded insects. Feed juveniles frequently and adults a few times a week, dusting insect meals with calcium and vitamins for growing animals, and avoid over-reliance on fatty rodents. Fresh water for both drinking and swimming should be available at all times.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a big-space animal: an adult needs a minimum footprint of around 240 x 120 cm and comparable height, with larger strongly recommended, including a pool deep enough to submerge in. Provide a broad basking site of 45–50°C that spans the animal's body length, an ambient of 28–32°C, and a night drop no lower than about 24°C, all thermostatically controlled. Good UVB is important for this diurnal species. Keep humidity high, around 70–90%, with misting and the water feature. Because their skin burns easily, ensure the basking lamp covers the whole body and never sits too close. Use a deep, moisture-holding substrate, offer stout branches and hides, and clean the water and enclosure frequently.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eMangrove Monitors are egg-layers, cycled with seasonal shifts in temperature, humidity and photoperiod. Females lay clutches of around 4–12 eggs, often in moist substrate or a nest box, incubated at about 29–31°C for roughly 150–200 days. Breeding is demanding and best left to advanced keepers with the space, humidity control and incubation experience required.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVaranus chlorostigma\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAustralasian Mangrove Monitor (blue phase)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCoastal rivers and mangroves of tropical northern Australia and New Guinea\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100–150 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, active and food-driven; demands respect at feeding\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\u003eAbout 240 x 120 cm floor with a deep swimming pool\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Enclosure Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLarger than 240 x 120 cm with generous height and water volume\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore - fish, crustaceans, whole prey, eggs and insects\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBasking Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e45–50°C over a full-body basking site\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAmbient Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e28–32°C, not dropping below about 24°C at night\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUVB Required\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes — UV Index 3.0–4.0 at basking + 10% UVB (T5 HO fluorescent) — good quality UVB for this diurnal, actively basking species\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHumidity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHigh, around 70–90%\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAdvanced keepers with substantial space and a large water feature\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. Mangrove Monitors are best kept alone and only paired briefly under supervision for breeding.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eDo not house with other monitors, other reptiles, or any smaller animal, all of which would be treated as competition or prey. Fish or invertebrates in the pool will simply be eaten.\u003c\/p\u003e\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":55234114584867,"sku":"AA3465","price":795.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/mangrove-monitor-blue-phase.jpg?v=1781504313","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/mangrove-monitor-blue-phase","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}