Ackie Monitor

Ackie Monitor

Scientific name: Varanus acanthurus
Common names: Ackie Monitor, Spiny-tailed Monitor
Adult size: Around 60–75 cm
Lifespan: 10–15+ years

📏 Size

• Adults usually reach 60–75 cm, including the tail.
• Males are generally larger and heavier than females.

🏡 Housing

• Very active, terrestrial lizards requiring a large, secure vivarium.
• Adult minimum around 120 × 60 × 90 cm, with larger strongly recommended.
• Provide 20–30 cm+ of diggable substrate for burrowing.
• Add rocks, cork, branches and hides for climbing and enrichment.
• A deep substrate area is particularly important.

🌡️ Temperature

• Basking surface: 50–60°C
• Warm area: 30–35°C
• Cool end: 24–28°C
• Night: 20–24°C
• Always use thermostats and monitor temperatures with reliable digital thermometers.

💡 Lighting

• Strong UVB (around 10–12%) is recommended.
• Provide a bright 10–12 hour day/night cycle.
• UVB should cover a significant portion of the enclosure while allowing shaded areas.

💧 Humidity

• Around 40–60% ambient humidity is suitable.
• Provide a slightly more humid deep substrate/burrowing zone.
• Good ventilation is essential.

🦗 Food

• Mainly live insects, including locusts, crickets, roaches and suitable larvae.
• Offer a varied diet rather than relying on one prey type.
• Dust food with calcium and provide appropriate vitamin supplementation.
• Juveniles require more frequent feeding; adults should not be overfed.

💧 Water

• Provide fresh, clean water at all times.
• A sturdy bowl that cannot easily be tipped over is ideal.

🐍 Shedding

• Shedding occurs in sections rather than necessarily all at once.
• Ensure access to appropriately humid substrate.
• Never pull retained skin away manually.

🤲 Handling

• Intelligent and active animals that can become tame with regular, gentle interaction.
• Support the body and allow the monitor to move naturally.
• Avoid grabbing the tail.
• Young Ackies can be nervous and should be given time to settle.

❤️ Health

• Watch for poor appetite, lethargy, abnormal shedding, swollen limbs or breathing problems.
• Metabolic bone disease can occur with inadequate UVB, calcium or nutrition.
• Obesity is also a concern in overfed adults.

🧽 Cleaning

• Spot-clean faeces and uneaten food regularly.
• Replace contaminated substrate as necessary.
• Clean and disinfect water bowls regularly.
• Avoid completely replacing deep substrate too frequently if maintaining a suitable naturalistic setup.

🏠 Before You Bring Your Monitor Home

• Run the enclosure for several days and check all temperatures before introducing the animal.
• Have deep substrate, hides, UVB, basking equipment and live food ready.
• Ensure all heating equipment is securely guarded.

⚠️ Important Bits

• Ackies are highly active, intelligent reptiles and need considerably more enrichment than a basic desert vivarium.
• Deep digging substrate is essential.
• Provide a very hot basking zone but always maintain a cooler retreat.
• Do not house with another Ackie unless you have the experience and appropriately sized setup to do so safely.