{"product_id":"storrs-monitor","title":"Storrs Monitor | Varanus storri","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Storr's Monitor is one of the smallest Australian goannas - a bold, busy little rock-dweller that spends its day basking, digging and patrolling its territory. Compact and hardy, it packs full monitor character into a manageable enclosure.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis dwarf monitor lives in the rocky, arid and semi-arid country of inland north-eastern Australia, sheltering in U-shaped burrows beneath large rocks and basking hard on exposed stone. Natural origin for this listing is inland north-eastern Australia. The enclosure should recreate that hot, dry, rocky habitat with a stable stack of flat rocks or slate for a burrow and basking site, a deep diggable substrate and a warm, well-lit basking zone.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA healthy specimen is compact and firm with bright eyes, a clean vent and a full tail base. The body is reddish-brown with fine pale spotting, and the tail carries the spiny, keeled scales typical of the group. Adult size is generally 30–40 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, busy and curious, and these small monitors are among the more confident dwarf species to observe and handle. They can be kept singly or as a compatible pair in a suitable enclosure, but males will fight and food competition can be fierce, so any animal losing condition or hiding constantly should be separated.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeed as an insectivore; a staple of gut-loaded insects such as crickets, woodroaches and roaches, with the occasional small whole prey item for adults. Feed juveniles daily and adults several times a week, dusting insects with calcium and a vitamin supplement, and avoid overfeeding as they gain weight readily. Fresh water should be available at all times.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA single adult is comfortable in a minimum floor of about 90 x 45 cm, with 90 x 45 x 45 cm or larger recommended, and a deep, firm substrate for burrowing. Provide a basking surface of 45–60°C over the rock stack, a cooler end around 28–30°C, and a night drop to roughly 22–24°C, all thermostatically controlled. Good UVB is important for this diurnal species. Keep humidity low to moderate, around 30–50%, with a slightly humid burrow. Use a diggable sand-soil substrate, plenty of rock and hides, and spot-clean regularly with periodic full cleans.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eStorr's Monitors are egg-layers, cycled with a cooler, drier winter and a reduction in day length. Females lay small clutches of around 2–7 eggs, sometimes several times a year, incubated at about 28–30°C for roughly 90–110 days. They are among the more approachable monitors to breed, though it still suits 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 storri\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStorr's Monitor (Storr's Pygmy Monitor)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRocky arid and semi-arid country of inland north-eastern Australia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30–40 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–15 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBold, busy and curious; confident for a dwarf monitor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Enclosure Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 90 x 45 cm floor for one adult\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Enclosure Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e90 x 45 x 45 cm or larger with a deep substrate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eInsectivore - insects, with occasional small whole prey\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBasking Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e45–60°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAmbient Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e28–30°C cool end, dropping to around 22–24°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 to moderate, around 30–50%, with a humid burrow\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKeepers wanting a compact, hardy, active dwarf 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\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBest kept as a single animal or a compatible male-female pair in a well-structured rocky enclosure. Others of the same species can sometimes be paired, but only with careful monitoring for aggression and weight loss.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eDo not house with other monitor or lizard species, small vertebrates, or any animal small enough to be treated as prey. Two males should never share an enclosure.\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":55234112258339,"sku":"AA3276","price":795.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/storrs-monitor.jpg?v=1781504315","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/storrs-monitor","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}