Make sure the cage has a gradient of temperatures, giving the monitor an opportunity to choose whether it wants to bask in hot temperatures, or cool itself down. Heating & Humidity: A basking spot reaching graduated highs of 130F to 150F should give these lizards the temperature they need to efficiently digest their food and maintain a strong immune system. One of mine created a permanent tunnel under the dirt and moss flooring. I've discovered that Black Roughneck monitors will actually burrow underneath the substrate at night if given the option. Vertical space tends to be more important to them than floor space. Give them enough room to walk and climb freely, which means a fairly large cage as they approach adult size. There is no calculation for determining minimum cage dimensions for any lizard, so just use common sense. He even chooses to sleep vertically once in a while (albeit rarely). I have one wall inside the cage entirely covered with flat cork bark, and I'd estimate that my current "rudi" spends nearly 75% of his time on it. Sure, they spend some time on the ground, but more often than not, you'll find them perched on a branch or traversing other climbable surfaces. My newest Black Roughneck monitor, a hatchling, does essentially the same thing.Įnclosure: These are arboreal monitor lizards, which means they enjoy climbing. I discovered that he would do this for as long as I would engage him. He would then walk back across the cage top to my hand, crawl up my arm to my shoulder again, and I'd use my other hand to place him back on the cage top once more. I would then put my other hand in front of him, he would climb on it, and I'd place him on top of his large wooden cage top. Here's an example: I had a fantastic blue-mottled juvenile that, if I placed my hand in front of him, would climb up my arm to my shoulder. I've also found that they are very inquisitive lizards.
If you're curious, read my article on how to tame a lizard. Their main defense mechanism seems to be running away, or going "cryptic," which means they shut their eyes and essentially hope you don't see them.
He puffed-up whenever I had to move him, but still no biting or tail-whipping. The most aggression I've ever witnessed in a Black Roughneck was with one freshly imported 24" juvenile. I've kept a number of them over the years, and have never witnessed a bite attempt, or even a tail-whip. These are generally not aggressive monitor lizards. Hatchlings are approximately 10 inches in total length.īehavior: No Black Roughneck monitor care sheet would be complete without an apt description of their unique behavior. They are not heavy-bodied monitor lizards, but are actually fairly slender in physique when compared to something massive like a Black throat monitor. Lengths of f our to four-and-a-half feet is much more common. Size: Black Roughneck monitors can attain a total length of approximately 60 inches (five feet), although this size is rarely seen. Black Roughneck monitors have two very unique physical traits: 1.) the pointed, pyramid-esque scales on the back of their necks (therein lies the origin of their common name) and 2.) their very bird-like heads. Adults are almost entirely black, with some greyish coloring reminiscent of their juvenile patterning. As they mature, the stark colors gradually disappear. Physical Description: Baby and juvenile Black Roughneck monitors are primarily black in color, with a peppering of bright yellow, and sometimes even blue, spots and bands. Range: Southern Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Sumatra, Borneo, and several peripheral islands. Their gentle and curious temperament, coupled with their unique appearance, makes them a fascinating captive lizard.
Black Roughneck monitors ( Varanus rudicollis ) are one of my absolute favorite monitors.