{"product_id":"southern-pilbara-rock-monitor-pair","title":"Southern Pilbara Rock Monitor PAIR | Varanus hamersleyensis","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Southern Pilbara Rock Monitor is a small, hardy rock-dwelling goanna from the Hamersley Range, agile among stone stacks and surprisingly even-tempered for an advanced species. This listing is for a pair, offering two of these busy, characterful little monitors.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe species is endemic to the rugged ranges and gorges of the southern Pilbara in Western Australia, where it shelters in rock crevices and basks on exposed stone in a hot, arid climate. Natural origin for this listing is the southern Pilbara, Western Australia. The enclosure should recreate that country with a sand or pebble base, stacked flat rock and slate offering tight crevices to climb and hide in, and a hot basking site directly beneath the lamp.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA healthy specimen is lean and alert with bright eyes, a clean vent and a full tail base. The body is dark grey to reddish-brown, patterned with fine pale spotting and reticulation, and the long slender tail is round in cross-section and roughly twice the body length. Adult size is generally 40–50 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 shy but agile, settling well with routine and quick to associate its keeper with food. This listing is an established pair and can be kept together in a large enough enclosure, but males will compete, food rivalry can be fierce, and any animal that loses weight or hides constantly should be separated.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeed as an insectivore-carnivore; a staple of gut-loaded insects such as crickets, woodroaches and roaches, with the occasional pinkie or egg for adults. Feed juveniles daily and adults several times a week, dusting insects with calcium and a vitamin supplement, and avoid overfeeding fatty foods. Fresh water should always be available.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA pair needs a minimum floor of about 90 x 60 cm, with something larger and taller recommended so both animals can climb and retreat. Provide a basking surface of 50–65°C over a rock stack, a cooler end around 25–30°C, and a night drop to roughly 20–24°C, all on thermostats. Good UVB is important for this diurnal species. Keep ambient humidity low, around 30–50%, but offer a humid hide. Use a firm sand-soil or pebble substrate, plenty of stacked rock and crevices, and spot-clean regularly with periodic full cleans.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThese monitors are egg-layers, cycled with a cooler, drier winter period and slightly shorter day length. Females lay small clutches that are incubated at around 28–30°C, though captive breeding remains uncommon and is best suited to experienced keepers set up to incubate eggs and rear hatchlings.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVaranus hamersleyensis\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSouthern Pilbara Rock Monitor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRocky ranges and gorges of the southern Pilbara, Western Australia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40–50 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–15 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eShy but agile; settles and becomes food-motivated with routine\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 90 x 60 cm floor for a pair\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Enclosure Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e120 x 60 x 60 cm or larger, rock-furnished\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eInsectivore-carnivore - insects and roaches, occasional pinkie or egg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBasking Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e50–65°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAmbient Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e25–30°C cool end, dropping to 20–24°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 4.0–6.0 at basking + 10–12% UVB (T5 HO fluorescent) — high - these small heliothermic rock\/desert monitors bask hard\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHumidity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLow, around 30–50%, with a humid hide\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eExperienced keepers wanting a small, active rock monitor\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\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBest kept only with its own kind as an established, compatible pair or small group, and only in an enclosure large enough to spread out with multiple basking and hiding options.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eDo not house with other monitor species, other reptiles, or any smaller animal that could be seen as prey or become a target for competition.\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":55234113700131,"sku":"BA8929","price":1599.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/southern-pilbara-rock-monitor.jpg?v=1781504314","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/southern-pilbara-rock-monitor-pair","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}