the low 30s. Even during the cold nights, we found that
the monitors would generally only seek heat when their
UV lights were on, and if it was dark, they would more
often than not retreat into their hide or simply bury them-
selves in a corner of the cage. The night time heating was
therefore perhaps unnecessary, but if nothing else
provided some peace of mind that the animals could find
additional warmth should they choose to do so.
if offered the same food item over and over, and will
eventually almost turn their noses up at it. At that point,
if something different is offered, they will show renewed
interest and start cleaning out their food bowl once again.
We have both found that a good mix of insects and meat
seems to be palatable, with both live or thawed frozen
crickets and roaches being taken. Recently we tried silk-
worms, and these seem to go down a treat too. One of my
My current set-up consists of a pair of stunning custom
animals is fond of diced chicken hearts, which can easily
enclosures (the monitors are still housed separately)
be dusted with vitamin and mineral powder, but the other
measuring 140cm x
won’t touch them for
70cm x 60cm and
some reason. Chicken
‘The monitors’
and wing tips are another good
featuring fake rock
backgrounds, artificial
food item, as with a fair
plants, branches and a
was a little amount of bone in them,
professional misting
they are a good source of
system which is
calcium, and are easy
surprising.’
currently set to run for
enough to be cut into bite-
three minutes twice a day to help boost humidity.
sized chunks. Velvet or fuzzy mice have also been taken,
but only on the odd occasion. At the start we were
Feeding these monitors has at times been rather frustrat-
offering day-old quail cut into chunks, which were taken
ing, but I think we have both now learnt the trick to
on a semi-regular basis as well. The yolk from the
getting them to eat consistently and to finish what is
stomach of the bird seemed to be a good attractant and
provided; variety and patience! Given how voracious
we have both occasionally mixed egg yolk in with other
other larger monitors can be at feeding time, the Emerald
food items to provide additional nutrition. Both Joe and I
Tree Monitors’ timid nature and more moderate appetite
live on acreage and have often found ourselves
was a little surprising. Occasionally they will accept food
rummaging through long grass and bushes looking for
from tongs or chase down a grasshopper immediately,
katydids and grasshoppers; Giant Grasshoppers (Valanga
but in general they will eat when they feel like it, and not
irregularis) are also certainly enjoyed when available and
simply because food is offered. They also become bored
constitute a good-sized meal for the monitors. Obviously,
timid nature
moderate appetite
Below: the current set-ups feature fake rock backgrounds,
artificial plants, branches and a professional misting system.
Image by Dave Evans.
Above right (slide show): Emerald Tree Monitors are very alert
and inquisitive animals. Images by Dave Evans & Joe Ball.