Species: Ackie Dwarf Monitor, Varanus acanthurus
Country: Australia- Western Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland
Biome: Terrestrial, Temperate
Activity: Diurnal
Maximum Size: 24-28 inches
Lifespan: 15-20 Years
Food: Insectivores - They should be fed a wide variety of insects such as crickets, locusts and dubia roaches. They size of these will increase with age, but a rough guide is the insect should only be smaller than the gap between the animal’s eyes. Grub food, such as waxworms and mealworms, should be fed sparingly and as treats as these can be quite fatty. Ackies can also be fed eggs as a treat, and rarely pinkie mice.
All food should have a light dusting of calcium powder, with one day off. Once a month a multivitamin should also be provided. Gut loading feeders is also important, feed them a variety of veg such as kale, cabbage, carrots and more.
Basking Temperature: 48◦C This should be read directly under the basking light. The surface temperature will be much warmer than this, which is quite normal. The lizard will move on and off as he needs.
Temperature Range: 18-48◦C The vivarium should have a hot side and a cool side. The hot side, in the day, will usually read 40◦C with the basking spot reading much higher. The cool side, in the day, will usually read around 28◦C. At night, the basking light should be switched off and a drop in temperature achieved.
Humidity Range: 65-85% A water bowl should be provided on the cool end of the vivarium which can raise the humidity. To keep up the humidity a daily spray must be done, and areas of higher humidity can be achieved by keeping damp hides- use damp sphagnum moss to create these.
UVB Requirements: A 12% T5 Tube, also sold as a Ferguson zone 3, this should be on for 12-14 hours a day and run alongside the basking bulb. A dark area should be provided on the cool end of the vivarium.
Substrate: To uphold humidity a soil-based substrate should be used; coir and orchid bark can be used to help. Ackies are very good diggers, a deep base of substrate must be provided. Aim for 5 or more inches.
Care Level: Intermediate
Essential Equipment:
• Minimum 4x2x2 (Vivexotic)
• UVB Fitting (Reptile Systems Zone 3 Eco T5 Unit (24w/39w), Reptile Systems Twin Luminaire 24w/39w)
• Water and Feed Bowl
• Basking Bulb (Exo Terra, Reptile Systems) with a Lamp Holder (Reptile Systems Ceramic Rotating Clamp)
• High Temperature Dimming Stat (Microclimate)
• Thermometer (Exo Terra)
• Hygrometer (Exo Terra)
• Décor – rocks, foliage and branches, allows the animal to climb and wear nails down
• Spray Bottle (Prorep)
• Substrate (Prorep Beardie Life, Exo Terra Sand Matt)
• Calcium (Exo Terra 40g)
• MultiVitamin (Exo Terra 40g)