Lizard
Ridge-tailed Monitor
Varanus acanthurus- Origin
- Northern and Western Australia
- Adult size
- 60–70 cm long
- Temperature
- 26–35 °C
- Humidity
- 40–60%
- Adults eat
- About every 2 days
The ridge-tailed monitor, or ackie, is a small, very active monitor lizard with a spiny tail. It needs a big, hot and deep enclosure.
Give a very hot basking spot with a surface temperature of 50 °C or more, air temperature of 26 to 35 °C across the enclosure, and strong UVB. Give 30 cm or more of substrate that it can dig tunnels in, kept moist lower down.
Feed dusted insects daily for juveniles and every 1 to 2 days for adults, with some egg now and then. It is listed on CITES Appendix II.