Description
- Common Name: Asian Water Monitor
- Scientific Name: Varanus salvator
- Locality/Morph: Sulphur
- Sex: Unknown
- Age: 2024
- Source: Captive farmed in Southeast Asia
- Native Range: South and Southeast Asia – including Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines
- Natural Habitat: Wetlands, mangrove swamps, riverbanks, forests, and agricultural land near water sources
- Diet: Carnivorous – fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, eggs, carrion, and small to medium mammals
- Basking Temperature: 35–40°C hotspot
- Ambient Temperature: 27–32°C (night drop to ~24°C)
- Average Adult Size: 150–250 cm
The Asian Water Monitor (Varanus salvator) is one of the largest lizards in the world, the record for largest individual is only beaten by the Komodo Dragon in size. However different morphs and island forms exist, the majority of which stay much smaller. Though still are a large, impressive lizard that commands respect.
Exceptionally adaptable, Water Monitors thrive across a wide range of habitats, but, as the name suggests, always in close association with water. Agile both on land and in water, these powerful predators are opportunistic feeders, consuming anything from fish and crabs to birds, rodents, and carrion.
In captivity, V. salvator requires a very large and secure enclosure, with a spacious water area. A large basking site should be provided at 35–40°C, that allows the entire animal to receive these hot temperatures. Strong UVB lighting is recommended to ensure proper calcium metabolism and overall health. Substrates should allow for digging, while climbing branches and hides provide enrichment. A large water area deep enough for swimming is desirable to replicate natural behaviour.
Their diet in captivity should reflect their carnivorous nature: whole prey items such as rodents, chicks, fish, and insects, with occasional eggs and shellfish. Overfeeding or reliance on fatty meats should be avoided to prevent obesity and liver issues. Supplements with calcium and vitamins are beneficial, especially for juveniles.
Asian Water Monitors are intelligent, powerful lizards capable of recognising keepers and even learning feeding routines. With consistent, careful handling, some individuals can become incredibly tolerant of human interaction. However, their immense size, strength, and housing requirements mean they are only suitable for keepers with the space and resources to provide for them long term.
In the wild, Varanus salvator can live 15–20 years, but in captivity, with optimal care, individuals may exceed 20 years.
Livestock Delivery:
Livestock is delivered in our own heated reptile courier vans. Delivery time from ordering will depend on your location and when we next have a van in your area, this will usually be a maximum of 2 weeks. You will receive a date and time slot by phone or email, so please ensure you enter these correctly at checkout. Delivery fee for livestock depends on location, prices start at £45. Livestock orders over £500 (+VAT) are delivered free of charge.
Livestock Sale Terms:
If multiple animals are in stock then not all will be pictured, so the photo above may not be exact animal available.
All prices are per individual unless otherwise stated. All livestock is subject to availability, whilst we try to keep the website as up to date as possible errors may happen, in this situation you will be contacted to arrange a refund/alternative.
Errors can happen with sexing and morph identification. Should this be discovered before leaving us you are entitled to a refund. After the animal leaves us it is the customers responsibility to inform us within 48 hours of the animals arrival. Failing to do so may lose the customers eligibility for a refund.
It is the customers responsibility to have the correct setup available and ready for the animal, if you need any advice please do get in touch. We have the right to request proof of setup at any time, failure to provide an image of an appropriate setup or any image at all, may result in a full order cancellation and refund.
Guarantee for all inverts & amphibians is 24 hours. All other livestock is 48 hours. If issues/concerns are notified upon delivery, then this may be extended. All health related queries will be subject to a full investigation should an issue arise. Failing to provide us with the information we request may void any form of guarantee. If we find reason from the information that its injury or death was caused by negligence or incorrect husbandry then the guarantee may be void. Should death or abnormalities occur then you must inform us as soon as possible. In the unlikely event that an animal passes away please photograph the dead body and freeze until you have heard from us. If death or illness occurs after 7 days, and no health issues were reported, then Ridgeway will not be held responsible.
We have the right to refuse any sale, refund or guarantee at any time if we feel it is necessary.
Livestock sales are for customers aged 18+, if under this age you must have prior parent permission. If we have any reason to suspect this is not the case we will contact you before the animal is released.
When purchasing an animal from us you automatically agree to these terms of sale.
