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Lighting, Heating and Humidity for the Dumeril's Monitor
Lighting
A regular photoperiod of 12 hours light : 12 hours dark can easily be achived with the use of a simple timer that can be purchased at any hardware store. Don't be affaid to experiment with this cycle to see if there is a better light to dark ratio for your monitor or if it makes no difference at all. We won't get into the whole issue of whether or not monitors need UV lighting, except to say that there is no definitive proof to show that they need it in captivity or to show that they suffer from receiving it. Many people have successfully kept monitors both ways. You can do some research and make your own informed decision on this one.
Heating
Dumeril's come from forest areas that are high in humidity and warmth. A very warm basking spot will allow your monitor to quickly and fully digest its meals. Your monitor should have access to a basking spot somewhere in the cage that will reach around 110°F or slightly higher. Warning: Make sure your Dumeril's can not come into direct contact with the heating element because it can severely injure itself. Their sense of touch is not the same as ours and the monitor may burn itself without knowing it. Use some sort of screening or make sure the heating device is far enough away that the monitor can't reach it. The rest of the cage can be held at an ambient temperature of 80-85°F. With all these high temperatures in the enclosure, don't forget that to properly thermoregulate, your monitor is also going to need access to a cool spot to escape the heat. Measure the temperature gradient in your tank using thermometers to assure you capture the proper range of temperatures they will need. Hiding boxes, water receptacles and deep substrate are a few things your Dumeril's monitor will use to cool down.
At night the temperature in the enclosure can drop off from daytime highs to about 75°F (24°C). Depending on where you live, you may need to employ ceramic heaters or night lights to maintain this. It is more important to keep the enclosure from getting too cold at night when the monitor is young than when it is an adult. Juvenile monitors in general are more susceptible to respiratory infections than adults.
Humidity
One of the most important factors for housing Dumeril’s is humidity. Try keeping humidity levels between 50-70% at all times, as these monitors will dry out quickly. The “moss box” and a large water container will help you achieve sufficient humidity. Dumeril’s defecate in the water frequently so make sure the water is easy to clean.