Blackheaded Monitors, Varanus t. tristis at AAR

Blackheaded Monitor (Varanus tristis tristis)

Blackheaded monitors-also known as mourning goanna, racehorse goanna, or simply tristis monitor- is a widespread species that inhabits much of Australia. With a widespread range, these monitors can inhabit many different environments from semitropical forests to deserts in in the harsh Australian interior. Tristis monitors can withstand a variety of conditions, which make them ideal captives for first-time monitor keepers. They are also interesting to watch, very prolific, and beautiful, making them ideal for advanced keepers as well. They require a bit of space as well as ample food, but like most monitors will eat just about anything protein-based. In nature, they feed primarily on lizards, grasshoppers, and other insects. In captivity, they should be fed insects, such as crickets or roaches, as the staple. These should be coated or "dusted" with high quality calcium supplement at each feeding. Feedings can also include mice (from pinkies to adults, but feed pinks sparingly), canned meat such as tuna or turkey (again sparingly), or other carnivorous fare. Feeding should occur daily, or at least 5 times a week. Monitors, including tristis, need a hot basking spot between 120-150 F, which provides a thermogradient across the cage with cooler temps of low 80s at the opposite end of the hot spot. With these proper conditions, they will do very well in captivity. We picked up three of these monitors, which were originally produced by Price Reptiles, in January, 2010. More information will be added once we determine gender and have some experience breeding these animals. I am excited to work with these animals.

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Pictures of the trists on the day they were brought home:


Closeup of the pair	Pair hanging out on the log	This guy has grown a bit!	Here he is peeking around the log

Male on top of one of the nest boxes	Male cruising around the cage under the log	Full body pic of the in betweener, likely male	Full body of the female tristis tristis monitor.

Largest of the 3 tristis	Medium-sized monitor	Smallest of the 3 we got	One of the tristis in the cage