What is the scientific name of the Black Tree Monitor?

The scientific name of the Black Tree Monitor is Varanus beccarii.

Where are Black Tree Monitors native to?

Black Tree Monitors are native to Aru Islands (near New Guinea).

How big do Black Tree Monitors get?

Adult Black Tree Monitors typically reach about 36-42 inches.

How long do Black Tree Monitors live?

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

What temperatures does a Black Tree Monitor need?

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

What humidity does a Black Tree Monitor need?

Black Tree Monitors need 60-90% humidity.

Do Black Tree Monitors need UVB lighting?

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

What size enclosure does a Black Tree Monitor need?

Recommended enclosure sizes for a Black 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 Black Tree Monitors eat?

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

Are Black Tree Monitors good for beginners?

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

Are Black Tree Monitors nocturnal or diurnal?

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

What is Black Tree Monitor behavior like?

Common Black 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 Black Tree Monitors lay eggs?

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

How many eggs does a Black Tree Monitor lay?

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

How long do Black Tree Monitor eggs take to hatch?

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

What is the best substrate for juvenile Black Tree Monitors?

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

What is the best substrate for sub-adult Black Tree Monitors?

Recommended substrates for sub-adult Black Tree Monitors: ReptiEarth Breeder Blocks and Bundles and ReptiChip Breeder Blocks and Bundles.

What is the best substrate for adult Black Tree Monitors?

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

What is the best enclosure for a Black Tree Monitor?

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

What lighting products are best for a Black Tree Monitor?

Recommended lighting products for Black 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 Black Tree Monitor need?

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

Is there a complete habitat bundle for Black Tree Monitors?

Yes. Recommended habitat bundles for Black Tree Monitors: Juvenile Black Tree Monitor Ultimate Habitat Bundle.

Black Tree Monitor

Common Name(s)	Black Tree Monitor
Scientific Name	Varanus beccarii
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	60-90%
Lighting	UVA/UVB required
Size	~36-42 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

Best Bundles for Juvenile Black Tree Monitors

Juvenile Black Tree Monitor Ultimate Habitat Bundle

Best Substrates for Juvenile Black Tree Monitors

RediChip Premium Medium Sized Coconut Chips; Ready to Use: 36 Quart

ReptiEarth Breeder Blocks and Bundles: Breeder Block

Best Enclosures for Juvenile Black Tree Monitors

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

Best Lighting Products for Juvenile Black Tree Monitors

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

Best Heating Products for Juvenile Black Tree Monitors

Arcadia GoldenSun Basking Halogen Heater: 75W

Vivarium Electronics Ceramic Dome Reflector: 8"

The Black Tree Monitor (Varanus beccarii) is a striking arboreal lizard native to the island of Aru, part of Indonesia’s eastern Maluku Islands. One of the most distinctive features of this species is its completely black coloration, a rare trait among tree monitors, which typically exhibit bright greens or blues. This uniform black pigmentation provides them with excellent camouflage in the shaded canopy of dense tropical forests. Their prehensile tail is a key adaptation, allowing them to grip branches securely while navigating the treetops. They are also extremely agile climbers, aided by their long, sharp claws and slender bodies, which are perfectly suited for maneuvering through the forest canopy.

Black Tree Monitors are known for their high intelligence and active nature, often observed exploring their surroundings and exhibiting problem-solving behaviors. In the wild, their diet is highly varied, consisting of insects, small birds, eggs, and other small vertebrates. This opportunistic diet plays a crucial ecological role, as it helps control insect populations and may even aid in seed dispersal by consuming fruits. Their sharp vision and keen sense of smell make them efficient hunters, particularly in their forested habitat where they must rely on both sight and scent to locate prey. Despite their intelligence and agility, Black Tree Monitors can be shy and are easily stressed by human interaction, making them more challenging to care for in captivity than other monitor species.

Native Range

Aru Islands (near New Guinea)

Why ReptiChip?

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Our product line includes BabiChip, RediChip, TropicalBase, MicroChip, and ReptiEarth, so you can be sure to find the perfect black tree monitor bedding for your pet.

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Common Black Tree Monitor ReptiChip Questions

: The scientific name of the Black Tree Monitor is Varanus beccarii.
: Black Tree Monitors are native to Aru Islands (near New Guinea).
: Adult Black Tree Monitors typically reach about 36-42 inches.
: Black Tree Monitors live about 15-20+ years with proper care.
: Recommended temperatures for a Black Tree Monitor: 70-80°F cool side, 80-90°F warm side, and 115-120°F basking spot.
: Black Tree Monitors need 60-90% humidity.
: Yes. Recommended lighting for Black Tree Monitors: UVA/UVB required.
: Recommended enclosure sizes for a Black 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).
: Black Tree Monitors eat: Primarily Insectivores: Crickets, dubia roaches, calcium worms (black soldier fly larvae), mealworms, hornworms, waxworms, silkworms, etc., Animal Protein.
: Black Tree Monitors are not usually recommended for beginners; they are rated Advanced for keeper experience.
: Black Tree Monitors are diurnal (active during the day).
: Common Black 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. Black Tree Monitors are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs.
: A Black Tree Monitor clutch is typically about 2-7 eggs.
: Black Tree Monitor eggs typically incubate for about 150-190 days before hatching.
: Recommended substrates for juvenile Black Tree Monitors: RediChip Premium Medium Sized Coconut Chips; Ready to Use, ReptiEarth Breeder Blocks and Bundles, and ReptiEarth Fine Coconut Fiber Mix; Ready to Use.
: Recommended substrates for sub-adult Black Tree Monitors: ReptiEarth Breeder Blocks and Bundles and ReptiChip Breeder Blocks and Bundles.
: Recommended substrates for adult Black Tree Monitors: ReptiChip Breeder Blocks and Bundles and ReptiEarth Breeder Blocks and Bundles.
: Recommended enclosures for Black Tree Monitors: Vivarium 48" Sliding Door Reptile Terrariums (4'x2').
: Recommended lighting products for Black 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 Black Tree Monitors by age. Juvenile: Arcadia GoldenSun Basking Halogen Heater and Vivarium Electronics Ceramic Dome Reflector. Sub-adult: Vivarium Electronics Ceramic Dome Reflector. Adult: Arcadia GoldenSun Basking Halogen Heater.
: Yes. Recommended habitat bundles for Black Tree Monitors: Juvenile Black Tree Monitor Ultimate Habitat Bundle.