Red Ackie Monitor | Varanus acanthurus
Plan the habitat for the adult animal, with secure housing and room to carry out its natural behaviour.
At a Glance
| Origin & natural habitat |
Northern and central Australia; rocky, dry habitats. |
| Adult size |
Around 60–70 cm including tail. |
| Lifespan |
15–20 years. |
| Temperament |
Individuals vary; allow time to settle before any handling. |
| Activity |
Day-active. |
| Social needs |
House individually. |
Housing & Setup
Enclosure dimensions are length × depth × height unless stated otherwise. Plan for the adult animal; larger, suitably furnished housing is encouraged.
| Adult housing |
Plan at least 160 × 80 × 120 cm, with around 60 cm of burrowable substrate depth and room above for basking and climbing. |
| Temperature |
Specialist high-temperature basking surfaces, around 70°C, with warm air around 29–38°C and cool retreats around 24–28°C. Surface temperature is not the air temperature. |
| Lighting & UVB |
Provide a regular day/night cycle with darkness at night. Select species-appropriate UVB, with shaded retreats and safe lamp distances. |
| Humidity / moisture |
Maintain moist burrow layers beneath a drier surface; do not keep the entire substrate dry. |
| Substrate |
Deep, packed soil/sand mix that holds stable burrows, with moisture at depth. |
| Furnishings & filtration |
Secure hides and furnishings; drinking water must remain accessible. |
Behaviour & Compatibility
House individually. An active, digging monitor needing substantial space and enrichment.
Feeding & Nutrition
Varied appropriately sized gut-loaded insects are the staple; avoid a rodent-heavy diet and overfeeding. Growing juveniles need frequent small meals; adults need measured meals adjusted to condition. Gut-load feeder insects and use calcium and a reptile multivitamin according to the product instructions and the animal’s UVB provision. Avoid overlapping vitamin D3 products; ask our reptile team to check the schedule for this animal. Provide clean water.
Routine Care
Check temperatures, humidity, appetite and behaviour daily. Replace drinking water and remove waste promptly. Clean bowls and contaminated furnishings regularly; monitor weight and shedding. Arrange advice from an exotics vet for persistent changes in appetite, breathing or movement.
Important Before Buying
Requires a specialist enclosure and heating design. Check basking surface temperatures with an infrared thermometer and air temperatures with probes; have our reptile team review the setup before collection.
Live Animals Are Click & Collect Only
We do not ship live animals. Order online and wait for confirmation that your animal is ready before collecting from Newlands Home and Garden Centre, Clondalkin, Dublin 22. Have the enclosure prepared and its conditions checked before collection.
