California Breeders Union
Active member
Varanus spinulosus ("Spiny Necked Monitor").
This species is endemic to Isabel Island/San Jorge, in the Solomon Islands.
This species although widespread throughout the lowland parts of the island of Isabel, is most densely populated in the thick mangrove swamps of the interior of the island. This is also where the old growth hardwood is mostly found, which is being logged heavily by foreign timber industries.
Never commonly available in the US pet trade (and with an EU trade suspension on imports) this species is far from established in captivity. With no reports of true US captive breeding, but a few specimens having hatched from gravid imports there is much work to be done to take this species to a point where they are not at risk of disappearing altogether from captivity.
Over the past year we have seen the largest flux of availability of Varanus spinulosus that I can recall. This is all coming to an end. New rules require more fees have made the exportation of the less expensive species from the Solomon Islands no longer equitable for importers. While this in some regards is perhaps a positive announcement - it also means that the more scarce species are now much less equitable and will either decrease in availability or altogether stop (with the exception of small infrequent shipments).
Why does this matter? Well for one the perpetual increase in availability and price decrease has ended. Secondly and more importantly, the seed stock which has come in to establish this species just became that much more important. Every specimen in the US now, and each one brought in to the states in the future is a valuable resource which must be established and treated as just what they are "seed stock" to establish this species.
I have what is likely my last shipment of these coming in this weekend, all are from a location just south west of Buala on the northern side of the lateral mountain chain from Domu.
If interested in pricing and availability feel free to private message for more details.
Natural life? Their habitat is rife with primary growth forest, fresh water feeding into the swamps is clear and funneled down from nearby mountains. The riparian habitat is primarily avoided. The floor of their habitat is littered with red crawed land crabs, frogs, toads, small lizards and large moths. The trees are littered with fruit doves, lorikeets, cockatoos and hornbills. Ground foraging and nest raiding are logical food sources, although I did not see any wild feeding when I visited.
In captivity, they are reminiscent of a halfway point between Varanus rudicollis and Varanus salvadorii. They are hesitant (resistant) to bite, have keeled scales along their necks, and a near avian facial structure. They also have a rich crossbarring of canary yellow with large yellow ocelli.
They prefer warm and humid temperature, with 82*F being the lowest ambient temperature they should be exposed to, and happily basking after a meal in the range of 130-140*F on a localized basking spot. Humidity should never drop below 60% with daily spikes of 100% being appreciated. The cage should not be wet.
Frequently hesitant to take rodents as food, some will with time. Rather they are fond of large insects, eggs, ground turkey and chicks.
An adult specimen should be expected to require no less than a cage measuring 4' tall x 3' deep x 6' long for one specimen and likely around 50% more space for a 1.1 pair. Males should not be housed together.
Any other questions feel free to call, PM or email.
714.612.4210
[email protected]
This species is endemic to Isabel Island/San Jorge, in the Solomon Islands.
This species although widespread throughout the lowland parts of the island of Isabel, is most densely populated in the thick mangrove swamps of the interior of the island. This is also where the old growth hardwood is mostly found, which is being logged heavily by foreign timber industries.
Never commonly available in the US pet trade (and with an EU trade suspension on imports) this species is far from established in captivity. With no reports of true US captive breeding, but a few specimens having hatched from gravid imports there is much work to be done to take this species to a point where they are not at risk of disappearing altogether from captivity.
Over the past year we have seen the largest flux of availability of Varanus spinulosus that I can recall. This is all coming to an end. New rules require more fees have made the exportation of the less expensive species from the Solomon Islands no longer equitable for importers. While this in some regards is perhaps a positive announcement - it also means that the more scarce species are now much less equitable and will either decrease in availability or altogether stop (with the exception of small infrequent shipments).
Why does this matter? Well for one the perpetual increase in availability and price decrease has ended. Secondly and more importantly, the seed stock which has come in to establish this species just became that much more important. Every specimen in the US now, and each one brought in to the states in the future is a valuable resource which must be established and treated as just what they are "seed stock" to establish this species.
I have what is likely my last shipment of these coming in this weekend, all are from a location just south west of Buala on the northern side of the lateral mountain chain from Domu.
If interested in pricing and availability feel free to private message for more details.
Natural life? Their habitat is rife with primary growth forest, fresh water feeding into the swamps is clear and funneled down from nearby mountains. The riparian habitat is primarily avoided. The floor of their habitat is littered with red crawed land crabs, frogs, toads, small lizards and large moths. The trees are littered with fruit doves, lorikeets, cockatoos and hornbills. Ground foraging and nest raiding are logical food sources, although I did not see any wild feeding when I visited.
In captivity, they are reminiscent of a halfway point between Varanus rudicollis and Varanus salvadorii. They are hesitant (resistant) to bite, have keeled scales along their necks, and a near avian facial structure. They also have a rich crossbarring of canary yellow with large yellow ocelli.
They prefer warm and humid temperature, with 82*F being the lowest ambient temperature they should be exposed to, and happily basking after a meal in the range of 130-140*F on a localized basking spot. Humidity should never drop below 60% with daily spikes of 100% being appreciated. The cage should not be wet.
Frequently hesitant to take rodents as food, some will with time. Rather they are fond of large insects, eggs, ground turkey and chicks.
An adult specimen should be expected to require no less than a cage measuring 4' tall x 3' deep x 6' long for one specimen and likely around 50% more space for a 1.1 pair. Males should not be housed together.
Any other questions feel free to call, PM or email.
714.612.4210
[email protected]