General care for both Varanus albigularis sp. (Black Throat Monitors and White Throat Monitors). Additional research may apply
Black Throat and White Throat Monitors
Black Throat and White Throat Monitors are large African lizards that are rapidly growing in popularity throughout the pet trade. White Throats can max out at about 7 feet, whereas Black Throats can get larger than 7 feet. These rock or cape monitors can make rewarding pets with proper care and enrichment. They may be visually different, but they can be kept similar and have similar personalities.
Black Throat and White Throat Monitor Care
These Varanids can be kept in a 20-40 gallon tank minimum as babies and will need a 10ft enclosure minimum into adulthood. Though these monitor lizards are primarily ground dwellers and diggers, they will utilize some vertical space. You may decorate their enclosures with foliage, caves, and logs as this may give them enrichment. Unlike Savannah Monitors, Black and White Throat monitors can eat rodents and whole-prey mammals regularly as well as a variety of insects and crustaceans.
Like most monitor lizards, these are intelligent and will need a lot of attention. With a 15+ year lifespan, this is a long term pet! They need a basking temperature of ~110 degrees F, an ambient temperature of ~80 degrees F, and a humidity level of ~40%. Combine that with a Desert UVB and your Monitor is ready for success. These monitors can do some damage from a good bite! We recommend these for experienced keepers only.
Black Throat and White Throat Monitors For Sale in the Pet Trade
Black Throat and White Throat Monitors populations are dwindling in the wild so we try to only offer a few of these a year or captive bred animals. Captive Bred varieties are generally available, but they are not common. Though imported animals may have a negative stigma, these are brought in legally with proper paperwork and in quantities that are allowed through governing laws.