Winter is a juvenile Ackie Monitor looking for an experienced reptile keeper.

Ackie monitors need a warmer than average basking spot of around 50 - 60 degrees Celsius, Warm side of 30-40 degrees Celsius and a cool side of 24- 28 degrees Celsius as well as a UVB. We'd recommend the Arcadia T5 Desert 12% or ZooMed Reptisun 10.0. We also recommend an LED strip light to mimic natural daylight as they are most active during the day. Ackie monitors can be housed on a packed top soil/sand mix as this best mimics their natural environment. The substrate should be at least 12 inches deep to allow them to display natural behaviours such as burrowing. The substrate should be able to hold form. Ackie monitors come from a very humid environment so their substrates should be moist enough to create burrow humidity levels of 80% or higher. Ambient humidity should sit around 40-60%. This can be achieved through regular misting or inclusion of moist hides.

Ackie monitors are particularly intelligent animals. Their setup should be at least 4 x 2 x 2 and include several opportunities to climb/burrow//smell forage and explore. Rocks, plants, hides and ledges are all excellent options. Regular changes in setup can provide them with new enrichment.

Ackie monitors are not generally social animals although at times have been housed together. We would advise that Ackie monitors are kept one Monitor per enclosure to avoid resource competition and stress over space.

Ackie monitors can live happily on a diet of locusts, crickets, roaches, silkworms and superworms. Supplements of Calcium and Arcadia Earth Pro A are recommended. Ensure your feeder insects are well hydrated and gutloaded before feeding to your Ackie Monitor.

Winter is a fairly well handled monitor, easily picked up but can be fast if you're caught off guard. Regular handling is recommended to allow them to feel comfortable when out of their enclosure.