Home >> Reptiles >> Lizards >> Dumeril's Monitor
General Information About the Dumeril's Monitor (Varanus dumerelii)
It is sometimes referred to as the Brown Rough-Necked monitor. This monitor inhabits parts of Burma, Thailand, Borneo, Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula. These monitors are seen in the pet trade less frequently as some of the African species and usually fetch a much higher price. Most are wild caught but there are breeders that have had success with these monitors and they should be searched out if possible when you are considering a purchase. Dumeril's monitors are known by many enthusiasts particularly for their striking juvenile coloration. When born these monitors posses a bright orange head with a banded pattern of orange and black alternating down the body. However, this unique coloration quickly fades as the monitor grows and is replaced with a brown and tan banded pattern where the black and orange once were. Although not as attractive, this brown and tan pattern is quite striking.
Another attribute that Dumeril's are known for is their relatively docile temperment. Initially skittish wild caught sub adult-adult animals do have very sharp nails that they may use to scratch with when restrained and may defecate as a defense, but with time even these types of animals usually tame down.
It is said that these monitors are somewhat arboreal and some captive observations would support this. They seem to prefer resting and basking in the branches if possible when young but not as much when full grown. This could be due to my setup however. Dumeril's monitors are also fairly aquatic and can be found around bodies of water in their natural habitat. If you provide a large enough water bowl so that your monitor can fit in and submerge itself, you may find that it spends many hours soaking.
Dumeril's Monitirs have the typical Indonesian monitor body shape; long head and neck, slender body and a tail that is about 1½ times as long as the monitor itself. The tail is highly keeled which would aid them in swimming. The limbs are long and slender with talon like claws for climbing.