Ackie Monitor (Varanus acanthurus)

Ackie Monitor: An Intelligent and Active Pet Lizard

Ackie Monitors are a fascinating species of monitor lizard known for their intelligence, active nature and striking appearance. They are a popular choice among experienced reptile keepers looking for a more interactive and behaviourally complex species.

Native to Australia, Ackie Monitors are terrestrial reptiles that spend much of their time exploring, digging, basking and investigating their surroundings. They are known for their distinctive reddish-brown colouring, spotted patterning and long tails.

Ackie Monitors can become confident and rewarding animals to keep when provided with the correct environment, diet and regular, appropriate interaction.

Please contact The Reptile Realm for current Ackie Monitors in stock, individual animal details, setup advice and care guidance before purchasing.

Key Care Points

• Ackie Monitors available depending on stock

• Colours, markings, size and temperament can vary between individuals

• Requires a large, secure enclosure with excellent ventilation

• Requires a high basking temperature and suitable overall temperature gradient

• Needs access to suitable hides and plenty of opportunities for natural behaviours

• Deep substrate is recommended to allow natural digging and burrowing

• Requires appropriate UVB lighting

• Feeds primarily on a varied diet of appropriately sized live insects

• Requires correct calcium and vitamin supplementation

• Fresh drinking water should always be available

• Temperature and humidity should be monitored regularly

• Intelligent and highly active species requiring daily enrichment and interaction

• Long-lived species requiring a significant long-term commitment

Suitable For

Ackie Monitors may be suitable for:

• Experienced reptile keepers

• Responsible keepers who have researched their care requirements

• Those looking for an intelligent and highly active lizard

• Keepers able to provide a large, secure enclosure

• Those prepared to provide deep substrate for digging and burrowing

• Keepers able to provide UVB, high basking temperatures and suitable heating

• Those prepared to provide a varied live insect diet

• Keepers looking for a species that can develop a strong level of interaction with its keeper

Care Guidance

Ackie Monitors require carefully planned husbandry, including a large secure enclosure, appropriate heating, strong UVB lighting, suitable hides and deep substrate to allow natural digging and burrowing behaviours.

A strong temperature gradient should be provided, including a hot basking area and cooler areas of the enclosure. Ackie Monitors are active reptiles and benefit greatly from an enclosure that provides plenty of space to explore, climb, dig and investigate.

A deep, suitable substrate is particularly important as Ackie Monitors are natural burrowers. Providing opportunities for digging and creating secure retreats can help encourage natural behaviours and provide enrichment.

Ackie Monitors should be fed a varied diet of appropriately sized live insects, such as crickets, locusts, cockroaches and other suitable feeder insects. Calcium and vitamin supplementation should form part of an appropriate feeding routine, with feeding frequency adjusted according to the animal's age, size and condition.

Regular interaction from a young age can help an Ackie Monitor become comfortable around its keeper. Handling should always be calm and controlled, allowing the animal time to settle and become accustomed to its surroundings. As with any reptile, individual temperament can vary.

Important Notes

Ackie Monitors are active, intelligent reptiles that require considerably more space, equipment and ongoing care than many smaller pet lizards. They should only be purchased by keepers who are prepared to meet their long-term environmental, dietary and enrichment requirements.

With proper care, Ackie Monitors can live for many years, making them a significant long-term commitment.

Colour, pattern, sex, age, size and price may vary depending on the individual monitor available.

Need advice before choosing an Ackie Monitor or getting your setup ready? Contact The Reptile Realm or visit our Antrim shop for guidance.