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Ackie Monitor Care Sheet
Common Name: Ackie Monitor, Ridge Tailed Monitor
Latin name: Varanus acanthuras
Difficulty Level: Beginner
Region: Ackie monitors are found throughout Northern Australia except eastern
Queensland
Size: Typically 22 – 26” but have been known to rarely hit almost 3 foot.
Life span: 10 years
General appearance: Ackies are usually a reddish brown with yellow markings
but color and pattern can vary with geographic origin. It is an attractively
marked lizard with light brown ocelli or 'eye spot' markings (round spots with
a darker centre) on the upper side. The head is patterned with dark brown and
cream stripes. A distinctive feature is their thick spined tail - hence their common
name. This tail is used for both attacking prey and for protection from predators.
When attacking prey the tail is used like a whip, stunning the prey item which
is then consumed without expending further effort. When used in defense, the
Ridge-tail will scramble into loose rocks or boulders and use its tail to wedge
itself in tight. The spikes give the tail good grip on the rocks, making extraction
by other predators nearly impossible. In the species' home territory, the tail is
often found discarded near Ridge-tail carcasses, indicating that predators of this
species consider the tail inedible.
Housing Requirements:
Enclosure: The best rule of thumb for this is you want at least 2 sq. foot of space
for every one foot of adult monitor. That’s inside open cage space. From the top
of the enclosure to the top of the substrate. A single adult animal can easily be
housed in a 3’ long x 3’ deep x 3’ tall enclosure. A pair of Ackies can be housed in
a 4’ long x 4’ deep x 4’ tall enclosure or bigger.
Temperature: The cool side of the cage should be between 75° - 82° F, with
ambient temperatures 88° to 98° F. On the hot end with basking spots that reach
115° - 130°. Night time temperatures can fall to normal room temperature but
leave the heat mat on 24 /7.
Heat/Light: A warm basking spot should be provided for this monitor by
radiant light. Racks of flood /spot lamps work well for this, plan on 3 to 4 lamps,
depending on enclosure size, at 60 to 120 watts each. Adjust the height above the
basking spot to reach the ideal temperature. Supplemental heat can be supplied
by large, robust heat mats such as Kane Mats. The monitor should be able to
rest its entire body on the mat. You will need a Helix or some other form of heat
controller!!!!! You want the heat mat to reach 100°. Ultraviolet light must be
used for this species.
Substrate: Dirt and /or sand provide the best substrate. Go to places like Home
Depot or Lowe’s and pick up non-chemically treated soil and sand. Mix together
(add water) until it clumps in your hand but doesn’t drip. Fill the monitor's cage
to a depth of two feet.
Environment: Logs, sticks and rocks provide exercise and entertainment
and are a MUST for this species. All monitors climb so be sure to provide logs /
branches that are thick enough to be used. A small plastic bowl can be used for
providing water.
Diet: Adult monitors can be fed a staple diet of frozen-thawed every other day.
Juvenile monitors can be raised on a diet of insects dusted with vitamin and
mineral powder and appropriately sized rodents everyday.
Maintenance: Clean up feces and urates as soon as you notice them, inspect the
cage at least once daily for cleanliness. Replace the water when it becomes soiled
or dirty and scrub out the dish.
Special Requirements: This monitor must have a very hot basking site and
requires UVA/UVB lighting. A layered basking site is also recommended: Create a
natural looking layered basking site using stacks of flat slate or ledge rock with
1.5-2.5 inch spaces between them. These spaces will be used by the lizards to
regulate body temperature. As they move up the stack, they are able to attain
warmer body temperatures.
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