What is the scientific name of the King's Monitor?

The scientific name of the King's Monitor is Varanus kingorum.

What are other common names for the King's Monitor?

The King's Monitor is also known as King’s Monitor, King’s Goanna, King’s Rock Monitor, and Pygmy Rock Monitor.

Where are King's Monitors native to?

King's Monitors are native to Northern Australia, Western Australia, and Kimberley region.

How big do King's Monitors get?

Adult King's Monitors typically reach about 12-16 inches.

How long do King's Monitors live?

King's Monitors live about 10-15 years with proper care.

What temperatures does a King's Monitor need?

Recommended temperatures for a King's Monitor: 70-80°F cool side, 80-90°F warm side, and 120-130°F basking spot.

What humidity does a King's Monitor need?

King's Monitors need 50-70% humidity.

Do King's Monitors need UVB lighting?

Yes. Recommended lighting for King's Monitors: UVA/UVB required.

What size enclosure does a King's Monitor need?

Recommended enclosure sizes for a King's Monitor: Baby-Young: 36”x18”x18” (hatchling- < 1 year); Sub Adult-Adult: 48”x24”x24” (minimum), 48”x24”x48” (active adult/pair). Larger enclosures encourage animals to exhibit natural behaviors.

What do King's Monitors eat?

King's Monitors eat: Insectivores/Invertebrates: Crickets, dubia roaches, calcium worms (black soldier fly larvae), mealworms, hornworms, waxworms, silkworms, shrimp, earthworms, snails, etc., Animal Protein.

Are King's Monitors good for beginners?

King's Monitors are not usually recommended for beginners; they are rated Advanced for keeper experience.

Are King's Monitors nocturnal or diurnal?

King's Monitors are diurnal (active during the day).

What is King's Monitor behavior like?

Common King's Monitor behavior traits: Can be very skittish when young/new; Food motivated; Hand/tong feeding helps bond; High metabolism; Very curious; Primarily arboreal; Calm down with consistent and confident handling; Have nocturnal tendencies when daytime temperatures are too hot.

Do King's Monitors lay eggs?

Yes. King's Monitors are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs.

How many eggs does a King's Monitor lay?

A King's Monitor clutch is typically about 2-4 eggs.

How long do King's Monitor eggs take to hatch?

King's Monitor eggs typically incubate for about 90-120 days before hatching.

What is the best substrate for sub-adult King's Monitors?

Recommended substrates for sub-adult King's Monitors: ReptiChip Breeder Blocks and Bundles and ReptiEarth Fine Coconut Fiber Mix; Ready to Use.

What is the best substrate for adult King's Monitors?

Recommended substrates for adult King's Monitors: ReptiChip Breeder Blocks and Bundles and ReptiEarth Breeder Blocks and Bundles.

What is the best enclosure for a King's Monitor?

Recommended enclosures for King's Monitors by age. Juvenile: Vivarium 36" Sliding Door Reptile Terrariums. Sub-adult: Vivarium 48" Sliding Door Reptile Terrariums (4'x2').

What lighting products are best for a King's Monitor?

Recommended lighting products for King's Monitors: Arcadia 12% UVB D3 Desert Lighting.

What heating products does a King's Monitor need?

Recommended heating products for King's Monitors: Arcadia GoldenSun Basking Halogen Heater.

King's Monitor

Common Name(s)	King’s Monitor King’s Goanna King’s Rock Monitor Pygmy Rock Monitor
Scientific Name	Varanus kingorum
Behavior	Diurnal (Active during day) Can be very skittish when young/new Food motivated Hand/tong feeding helps bond High metabolism Very curious Primarily arboreal Calm down with consistent and confident handling Have nocturnal tendencies when daytime temperatures are too hot
Reproduction	Oviparous (Egg Layer) Gestation: ~30-40 days Clutch size: ~2-4 Incubation: ~90-120 days
Lifespan	~10-15 years
Temperatures	70-80°F cool side 80-90°F warm side 120-130°F basking spot
Humidity	50-70%
Lighting	UVA/UVB required
Size	~12-16 inches
Enclosure Recommendations	Baby-Young: 36”x18”x18” (hatchling- < 1 year) Sub Adult-Adult: 48”x24”x24” (minimum) 48”x24”x48” (active adult/pair) *larger enclosures encourage animals to exhibit natural behaviors
Experience Level	Advanced *Parents should always be involved caring for any pet, until the child is 18 yrs.
Diet	Insectivores/Invertebrates: Crickets, dubia roaches, calcium worms (black soldier fly larvae), mealworms, hornworms, waxworms, silkworms, shrimp, earthworms, snails, etc. Animal Protein

Filter by age:

Best Substrates for Subadult King's Monitors

ReptiChip Breeder Blocks and Bundles: Breeder Block

ReptiEarth Fine Coconut Fiber Mix; Ready to Use: 36 Quart

Best Enclosures for Subadult King's Monitors

48" Sliding Door Reptile Vivarium (4x2): 120 Gallon 48x24x24 / Black

Best Substrates for Juvenile King's Monitors

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

ReptiEarth Fine Coconut Fiber Mix; Ready to Use: 36 Quart

Best Enclosures for Juvenile King's Monitors

36" Sliding Door Reptile Vivarium (36x18) - 50 Gallon: Black

King's Monitors (Varanus kingorum) are a fascinating species of monitor lizard endemic to the Kimberley region of Western Australia. These lizards are characterized by their striking coloration, typically featuring a mix of dark browns and yellows, which provides excellent camouflage among the rocky outcrops and forested areas of their habitat. King's Monitors are primarily arboreal, adept at climbing trees and shrubs to forage for food and evade predators. This climbing ability allows them to access a diverse diet, primarily consisting of insects, small mammals, and bird eggs. Their opportunistic feeding strategy is enhanced by their keen eyesight, enabling them to spot potential prey from considerable distances. This adaptability to both arboreal and terrestrial environments makes them versatile hunters within their ecosystem.

Another intriguing aspect of King's Monitors is their social behavior, particularly during the breeding season. Males often engage in elaborate courtship displays, which may include head bobbing, body posturing, and vocalizations to attract females. These displays not only showcase their fitness but also establish dominance among competing males. The breeding season typically coincides with the warmer months when food availability is at its peak, further encouraging reproductive success. After mating, females will lay clutches of eggs in concealed locations to protect them from potential predators. The incubation period, which usually lasts about two to three months, requires specific humidity and temperature levels to ensure the eggs develop properly. Once hatched, neonate King's Monitors are fully independent and must quickly adapt to their surroundings, using their innate climbing skills to escape danger and begin their journey of survival in the wild.

Native Range

Northern Australia

Western Australia

Kimberley region

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 king's monitor bedding for your pet.

Ready to switch to the ultimate king's monitor bedding? Check out ReptiChip today.

Common King's Monitor ReptiChip Questions

: The scientific name of the King's Monitor is Varanus kingorum.
: The King's Monitor is also known as King’s Monitor, King’s Goanna, King’s Rock Monitor, and Pygmy Rock Monitor.
: King's Monitors are native to Northern Australia, Western Australia, and Kimberley region.
: Adult King's Monitors typically reach about 12-16 inches.
: King's Monitors live about 10-15 years with proper care.
: Recommended temperatures for a King's Monitor: 70-80°F cool side, 80-90°F warm side, and 120-130°F basking spot.
: King's Monitors need 50-70% humidity.
: Yes. Recommended lighting for King's Monitors: UVA/UVB required.
: Recommended enclosure sizes for a King's Monitor: Baby-Young: 36”x18”x18” (hatchling- <1 year); Sub Adult-Adult: 48”x24”x24” (minimum), 48”x24”x48” (active adult/pair). Larger enclosures encourage animals to exhibit natural behaviors.
: King's Monitors eat: Insectivores/Invertebrates: Crickets, dubia roaches, calcium worms (black soldier fly larvae), mealworms, hornworms, waxworms, silkworms, shrimp, earthworms, snails, etc., Animal Protein.
: King's Monitors are not usually recommended for beginners; they are rated Advanced for keeper experience.
: King's Monitors are diurnal (active during the day).
: Common King's Monitor behavior traits: Can be very skittish when young/new; Food motivated; Hand/tong feeding helps bond; High metabolism; Very curious; Primarily arboreal; Calm down with consistent and confident handling; Have nocturnal tendencies when daytime temperatures are too hot.
: Yes. King's Monitors are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs.
: A King's Monitor clutch is typically about 2-4 eggs.
: King's Monitor eggs typically incubate for about 90-120 days before hatching.
: Recommended substrates for juvenile King's Monitors: ReptiChip Coarse Coconut Chip Mix; Ready to Use and ReptiEarth Fine Coconut Fiber Mix; Ready to Use.
: Recommended substrates for sub-adult King's Monitors: ReptiChip Breeder Blocks and Bundles and ReptiEarth Fine Coconut Fiber Mix; Ready to Use.
: Recommended substrates for adult King's Monitors: ReptiChip Breeder Blocks and Bundles and ReptiEarth Breeder Blocks and Bundles.
: Recommended enclosures for King's Monitors by age. Juvenile: Vivarium 36" Sliding Door Reptile Terrariums. Sub-adult: Vivarium 48" Sliding Door Reptile Terrariums (4'x2').
: Recommended lighting products for King's Monitors: Arcadia 12% UVB D3 Desert Lighting.
: Recommended heating products for King's Monitors: Arcadia GoldenSun Basking Halogen Heater.