What is the scientific name of the Biak Tree Monitor?

The scientific name of the Biak Tree Monitor is Varanus kordensis.

What are other common names for the Biak Tree Monitor?

The Biak Tree Monitor is also known as Kordensis Tree Monitor and Kordo Tree Monitor.

Where are Biak Tree Monitors native to?

Biak Tree Monitors are native to Biak Island in Indonesia.

How big do Biak Tree Monitors get?

Adult Biak Tree Monitors typically reach about 30-36 inches.

How long do Biak Tree Monitors live?

Biak Tree Monitors live about 15-20+ years with proper care.

What temperatures does a Biak Tree Monitor need?

Recommended temperatures for a Biak Tree Monitor: 70-80°F cool side, 80-90°F warm side, and 115-120°F basking spot.

What humidity does a Biak Tree Monitor need?

Biak Tree Monitors need 60-80% humidity.

Do Biak Tree Monitors need UVB lighting?

Yes. Recommended lighting for Biak Tree Monitors: UVA/UVB required.

What size enclosure does a Biak Tree Monitor need?

Recommended enclosure sizes for a Biak Tree Monitor: Baby-Young: 18”x18”x36” (<6 months +), 36”x18”x36” (1 year +); Sub Adult-Adult: 48”x24”x48” (minimum), 72”x24”x48” (large/active adult).

What do Biak Tree Monitors eat?

Biak Tree Monitors eat: Primarily Insectivores: Crickets, dubia roaches, calcium worms (black soldier fly larvae), mealworms, hornworms, waxworms, silkworms, etc., Animal Protein.

Are Biak Tree Monitors good for beginners?

Biak Tree Monitors are not usually recommended for beginners; they are rated Advanced for keeper experience.

Are Biak Tree Monitors nocturnal or diurnal?

Biak Tree Monitors are diurnal (active during the day).

What is Biak Tree Monitor behavior like?

Common Biak Tree Monitor behavior traits: Food motivated; Foragers & ambush hunters; Hand feeding helps bond; Very curious; Can be skittish when young; Calm down with consistent and confident handling; Arboreal; Prehensile tail; Bites are painful; Captive bred babies are much calmer, and easier to socialize; Can be challenging to breed in captivity.

Do Biak Tree Monitors lay eggs?

Yes. Biak Tree Monitors are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs.

How many eggs does a Biak Tree Monitor lay?

A Biak Tree Monitor clutch is typically about 2-7 eggs.

How long do Biak Tree Monitor eggs take to hatch?

Biak Tree Monitor eggs typically incubate for about 150-190 days before hatching.

What is the best substrate for juvenile Biak Tree Monitors?

Recommended substrates for juvenile Biak Tree Monitors: ReptiEarth Breeder Blocks and Bundles, ReptiChip Coarse Coconut Chip Mix; Ready to Use, ReptiEarth Fine Coconut Fiber Mix; Ready to Use, and RediChip Premium Medium Sized Coconut Chips; Ready to Use.

What is the best substrate for adult Biak Tree Monitors?

Recommended substrates for adult Biak Tree Monitors: ReptiChip Breeder Blocks and Bundles and ReptiEarth Breeder Blocks and Bundles.

What is the best enclosure for a Biak Tree Monitor?

Recommended enclosures for Biak Tree Monitors: Vivarium 48" Sliding Door Reptile Terrariums (4'x2').

What lighting products are best for a Biak Tree Monitor?

Recommended lighting products for Biak Tree Monitors by age. Juvenile: Arcadia 6% UVB D3 Forest Lighting. Sub-adult: Arcadia 6% UVB D3 Forest Lighting. Adult: Arcadia 12% UVB D3 Desert Lighting.

What heating products does a Biak Tree Monitor need?

Recommended heating products for Biak Tree Monitors by age. Juvenile: Arcadia GoldenSun Basking Halogen Heater and Vivarium Electronics Ceramic Dome Reflector. Sub-adult: Arcadia GoldenSun Basking Halogen Heater and Vivarium Electronics Ceramic Dome Reflector. Adult: Arcadia GoldenSun Basking Halogen Heater.

Is there a complete habitat bundle for Biak Tree Monitors?

Yes. Recommended habitat bundles for Biak Tree Monitors by age. Juvenile: Juvenile Biak Tree Monitor Ultimate Habitat Bundle. Sub-adult: Subadult Biak Tree Monitor Ultimate Habitat Bundle.

Biak Tree Monitor

Common Name(s)	Biak Tree Monitor Kordensis Tree Monitor Kordo Tree Monitor
Scientific Name	Varanus kordensis
Behavior	Diurnal (active during day) Food motivated Foragers & ambush hunters Hand feeding helps bond Very curious Can be skittish when young Calm down with consistent and confident handling Arboreal Prehensile tail Bites are painful Captive bred babies are much calmer, and easier to socialize Can be challenging to breed in captivity
Reproduction	Oviparous (Egg Layer) Gestation: ~30-45 days Clutch size: ~2-7 Incubation: ~150-190 days
Lifespan	~15-20+ years
Temperatures	70-80°F cool side 80-90°F warm side 115-120°F basking spot
Humidity	60-80%
Lighting	UVA/UVB required
Size	~30-36 inches
Enclosure Recommendations	Baby-Young: 18”x18”x36” (<6 months +) 36”x18”x36” (1 year +) Sub Adult-Adult: 48”x24”x48” (minimum) 72”x24”x48” (large/active adult)
Experience Level	Advanced *Parents should always be involved caring for any pet, until the child is 18 yrs.
Diet	Primarily Insectivores: Crickets, dubia roaches, calcium worms (black soldier fly larvae), mealworms, hornworms, waxworms, silkworms, etc. Animal Protein

Filter by age:

Best Bundles for Subadult Biak Tree Monitor s

Subadult Biak Tree Monitor Ultimate Habitat Bundle

Best Substrates for Subadult Biak Tree Monitor s

ReptiEarth Breeder Blocks and Bundles: Breeder Block

ReptiChip Breeder Blocks and Bundles: Breeder Block

Best Enclosures for Subadult Biak Tree Monitor s

48" Sliding Door Reptile Vivarium (4x2): 180 Gallon 48x24x36 / Black

Best Lighting Products for Subadult Biak Tree Monitor s

Arcadia 6% UVB D3 Forest Lighting: LumenIZE® Smart UVB Kit / 48"

Best Heating Products for Subadult Biak Tree Monitor s

Arcadia GoldenSun Basking Halogen Heater: 100W

Vivarium Electronics Ceramic Dome Reflector: 8"

Best Bundles for Juvenile Biak Tree Monitor s

Juvenile Biak Tree Monitor Ultimate Habitat Bundle

Best Substrates for Juvenile Biak Tree Monitor s

ReptiEarth Breeder Blocks and Bundles: Breeder Block

ReptiChip Coarse Coconut Chip Mix; Ready to Use: 36 Quart

Best Enclosures for Juvenile Biak Tree Monitor s

48" Sliding Door Reptile Vivarium (4x2): 180 Gallon 48x24x36 / Black

Best Lighting Products for Juvenile Biak Tree Monitor s

Arcadia 6% UVB D3 Forest Lighting: LumenIZE® Smart UVB Kit / 48"

Best Heating Products for Juvenile Biak Tree Monitor s

Arcadia GoldenSun Basking Halogen Heater: 100W

Vivarium Electronics Ceramic Dome Reflector: 8"

The Biak Tree Monitor (Varanus kordensis), a species endemic to the Biak Islands in Indonesia, is notable for its striking appearance and highly arboreal lifestyle. One of the most distinguishing features of this monitor is its vibrant green coloration, which helps it blend seamlessly into the lush canopy of its tropical rainforest habitat. This cryptic coloration provides excellent camouflage from predators while it forages among the leaves and branches. Biak Tree Monitors are also equipped with long, slender bodies and sharp claws, making them adept climbers. Their prehensile tails are another key adaptation, allowing them to maintain balance and grip as they navigate the dense foliage. As with many tree-dwelling monitors, their arboreal nature enables them to access a range of food sources while avoiding terrestrial threats.

In terms of behavior, the Biak Tree Monitor is a diurnal species, spending its daylight hours actively hunting for food. Its diet primarily consists of insects, small vertebrates like birds and lizards, and occasionally bird eggs, making it an opportunistic predator within its environment. They are known to exhibit highly intelligent foraging behaviors, sometimes ambushing prey from hidden perches in the trees. Despite their relatively small size compared to other monitors, typically reaching around 30 to 36 inches, Biak Tree Monitors are territorial and may show aggression toward rivals during breeding seasons. In captivity, these monitors require large, vertically oriented enclosures with ample branches and foliage to replicate their natural environment, making them a challenging but rewarding species for experienced keepers.

Native Range

Biak Island in Indonesia

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Common Biak Tree Monitor ReptiChip Questions

: The scientific name of the Biak Tree Monitor is Varanus kordensis.
: The Biak Tree Monitor is also known as Kordensis Tree Monitor and Kordo Tree Monitor.
: Biak Tree Monitors are native to Biak Island in Indonesia.
: Adult Biak Tree Monitors typically reach about 30-36 inches.
: Biak Tree Monitors live about 15-20+ years with proper care.
: Recommended temperatures for a Biak Tree Monitor: 70-80°F cool side, 80-90°F warm side, and 115-120°F basking spot.
: Biak Tree Monitors need 60-80% humidity.
: Yes. Recommended lighting for Biak Tree Monitors: UVA/UVB required.
: Recommended enclosure sizes for a Biak Tree Monitor: Baby-Young: 18”x18”x36” (<6 months +), 36”x18”x36” (1 year +); Sub Adult-Adult: 48”x24”x48” (minimum), 72”x24”x48” (large/active adult).
: Biak Tree Monitors eat: Primarily Insectivores: Crickets, dubia roaches, calcium worms (black soldier fly larvae), mealworms, hornworms, waxworms, silkworms, etc., Animal Protein.
: Biak Tree Monitors are not usually recommended for beginners; they are rated Advanced for keeper experience.
: Biak Tree Monitors are diurnal (active during the day).
: Common Biak Tree Monitor behavior traits: Food motivated; Foragers & ambush hunters; Hand feeding helps bond; Very curious; Can be skittish when young; Calm down with consistent and confident handling; Arboreal; Prehensile tail; Bites are painful; Captive bred babies are much calmer, and easier to socialize; Can be challenging to breed in captivity.
: Yes. Biak Tree Monitors are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs.
: A Biak Tree Monitor clutch is typically about 2-7 eggs.
: Biak Tree Monitor eggs typically incubate for about 150-190 days before hatching.
: Recommended substrates for juvenile Biak Tree Monitors: ReptiEarth Breeder Blocks and Bundles, ReptiChip Coarse Coconut Chip Mix; Ready to Use, ReptiEarth Fine Coconut Fiber Mix; Ready to Use, and RediChip Premium Medium Sized Coconut Chips; Ready to Use.
: Recommended substrates for sub-adult Biak Tree Monitors: ReptiEarth Breeder Blocks and Bundles and ReptiChip Breeder Blocks and Bundles.
: Recommended substrates for adult Biak Tree Monitors: ReptiChip Breeder Blocks and Bundles and ReptiEarth Breeder Blocks and Bundles.
: Recommended enclosures for Biak Tree Monitors: Vivarium 48" Sliding Door Reptile Terrariums (4'x2').
: Recommended lighting products for Biak Tree Monitors by age. Juvenile: Arcadia 6% UVB D3 Forest Lighting. Sub-adult: Arcadia 6% UVB D3 Forest Lighting. Adult: Arcadia 12% UVB D3 Desert Lighting.
: Recommended heating products for Biak Tree Monitors by age. Juvenile: Arcadia GoldenSun Basking Halogen Heater and Vivarium Electronics Ceramic Dome Reflector. Sub-adult: Arcadia GoldenSun Basking Halogen Heater and Vivarium Electronics Ceramic Dome Reflector. Adult: Arcadia GoldenSun Basking Halogen Heater.
: Yes. Recommended habitat bundles for Biak Tree Monitors by age. Juvenile: Juvenile Biak Tree Monitor Ultimate Habitat Bundle. Sub-adult: Subadult Biak Tree Monitor Ultimate Habitat Bundle.