If
giving the correct living conditions Blue Tree Monitor Lizards are very
hardy and long lived animals. In this article I will explain how I
maintain my Blue Tree Monitor Lizards. No doubt my methods will be
different to other keepers, but my methods are successful in maintaining
healthy animals.
Heating
The
daytime ambient temperature of 27degC (80 F) is measured and controlled by the
thermostat's sensor at the lower centre of the vivarium and connected to
the ceramic bulbs. The
heater light bulbs, positioned at the other end, provide a focused hotspot
of about 40 to 46 degC, and hence a good temperature gradient across the vivarium is
produced. Under the heater bulbs (2x100 watt) I have positioned branches
for the lizards to bask on. These heater bulbs are set on a timer to
switch on in the morning, off at night - settings depend on the season.
Nighttimes’ temperatures are controlled by the 2x100 watt ceramic bulbs,
controlled by a thermostat, set to 27 degC. The minimum ambient
temperature should be 27 degC, hence by placing the heater at one end it
provides a temperature gradient across the vivarium. The ceramic heater
is active 24 hrs a day, therefore when the heater bulbs switch off the
night time heater automatically switches on. They also act as back up
should the heater bulbs fail.
Humidity
Humidity is essential, about 60 to 80% should be maintained. I spray the
vivarium every day to maintain the humidity, if the humidity level is too
high I spray less water. When spraying it is
important to spray the leaves and branches near to where the Lizards sit,
you will find they prefer to drink water droplets from these areas, than
the supplied water bowl.
Lighting
It
is very important these Lizards receive good levels of UV. In warmer
parts of the world keepers have these monitor lizards in outdoor pens, so they
receive direct sunlight, unfortunately here in the UK the climate is not
suitable for this. Therefore the use of good quality UV bulbs is
essential. NOTE: These tubes’ UV outputs diminish over time and are to
be replaced every 6 months.
The
UV tube is positioned horizontally along the roof at the front of the
vivarium, with branches positioned in close proximity. These tubes are
set on timers and switch on and off with the heater bulbs.
Food
Adult monitor lizards are fed daily. My adults main diet consists of
pinky mice and locusts, with the occasional cracked chicken egg.
Once a week I dust their pinky mice with a calcium/mineral powder.
Water
As
explained previously, daily spraying is important as these monitor lizards prefer
drinking water droplets from leaves than from a bowl. I do supply water
bowls but have never witnessed the animals drinking from them.
Vivarium Size
For
a pair of hatchlings a smaller vivarium 1.0x1.0x0.6m is adequate, and
increase the vivarium size accordingly as they grow.
For
an adult pair which are about 3/4 full size, I would
suggest a vivarium size of 1.5x1.5x0.6m, this should include many branches and
hollow cork rolls for them to climb on etc. The addition of cork attached to the
walls increases the amount of useable climbing area - which is important
for these tree dwellers. It is also worth considering having a divider
within the vivarium, should you need to separate the adults.
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