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The Peach-Throated monitor is one of the most beautiful monitor species there is. It is known scientifically as Varanus jobiensis. It was once classified under the name Varanus karlschmidti but this seems to no longer be valid although it does still show up on dealer lists under this name from time to time.
Varanus jobiensis is a medium sized monitor that is a resident of the island of New Guinea.
This is yet another member of the Mangrove complex but is quite distinguishable from Varanus indicus in a number of ways. The head of the Peach-Throated monitor is slender in build and equipped with large eyes. The neck is typical of Indonesian type monitors.....long. The throat, which gives Varanus jobiensis its common name, usually displays a pink to peach hue that is striking in constrast to the rest of the body. This monitor is also equipped with four powerful limbs with which is can dig quite effectively and the tail is roughly 1.5 times longer than the body.
The colouration of this monitor lizard varies from specimen to specimen with some being more vibrantly colored than others. Typically it is as follows: the top of the head is black with much lighter coloured lips and the throat is anywhere in the range of white to red. The body, including the limbs to about a quarter of the way down the tail is highly speckled in yellow on a black base. On the dorsal surface there is a horizantal banded pattern of speckled yellow and black crossbands. The tail is also banded and often shows traces of sky blue.
Being from New Guinea, Varanus jobiensis will need access to high temperatures and humidity. High temperatures can easily be achieved using various heating elements. A basking spot that reaches 120°F or slightly higher will be used on a regular basis. Only the surface temperature under the basking spot should reach this high temperature. The ambient air temperature throughout the rest of the tank should maintain a thermal gradient of 80-90°F and a relative humidity of around 75-80% or slightly higher. Basking spots can be created with a number of products. Halogen spot/flood lights and commercial reptile bulbs are most common, but ceramic heat emitters that produce no light are also good, specifically at night. Depending on the specific size and setup of your enclosure you will need to experiment with what wattage and how many heating elements are needed for you setup.
Keepers may find that the bulbs they use for their basking spot does not give off enough light for the entire enclosure. If this is the case then simply add a flourescent or low wattage incandescent fixture to the tank. Warning: Make sure your Peach-Throated monitor 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
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. I 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.
Housing requirement are similar to those of the Mangrve monitors and others in the complex. As a minimum and enclosure with dimensions 6 feet long x 2 feet high x 2.5 feet deep will do. This is only a suggestion .Of course the larger the enclosure, the better off your animal will be. For hatchlings to juvenile sized monitors you can use various sized aquariums to house Mangroves.
Being from New Guinea they require an environment that offers high temperature and high humidity. So the choice of substrate that a keeper makes is important. For monitors with these requirements cypress mulch either by itself or mixed with soil works well. By misting the enclosure on a regular basis the cypress mulch retains the needed moisture. Other substrates are available to a keeper such as aspen shavings, newspaper or other commercial brands but for Varanus jobiensis the mixture mentioned above serves them well. They do like to dig and will bury themselves in the substrate so providing a reasonable depth is a good idea (At least 5 inches).
The Peach-Throated monitor can be a nervous captive especially if wild caught as an adult or sub-adult. To better help them acclimate to their new enclosure you will have to provide a few different hiding places. These hiding places can be as simple as a wooden box with a hole cut in the side for them to enter. There are many commercially available hide boxes that will serve this purpose but it will be cheaper to construct your own or convert some sort of storage container (e.g. Rubbermaid) to suit the purpose. Remember that this is supposed to be an area that will help the monitor feel secure and they should be placed in different temperature gradients throughout the enclose. Also keeping one of these hide areas moist will be beneficial to the monitor for conserving moistrue as well as shedding.
Climbing areas will be used by Varanus jobiensis if you supply them. As juveniles they climb very well and it is not an unreasonable assumption that they would spend a great deal of time off the forest floor when they are young. Branches can be suspended within the enclosure to allow for climbing. They need to be firmly fixed and sturdy enough to support the weight of an adult Peach-Throated monitor.
Varanus jobiensis is an avid feeder that will accept a wide variety of prey items. As juveniles they can be fed mouse fuzzies and hoppers, crickets, roaches, mealworms, fish, other seafood and eggs. As adults they will accept the same prey, only in larger amounts. Eggs should be hard boiled or otherwise cooked first (no grease). Feeding time is a time to excercise added caution since a monitor that is being fed can become excited and easily bite the hand that feeds it. Use good judgement- a bite from a monitor is not a pleasant experience. Supplementing prey items with vitamins can be beneficial to the lizard so long as you don't over supplement and you use a high quality vitamin. Do some research on what and how much is good. Note: Fresh water should be available at all times
Varanus jobiensis is a moderatly large monitor that may grow to about 4 feet TL (Total Length) or more. These monitors don't get as bulky as some other monitors of the same size so a 4 foot long Peach-Throated monitor may look smaller than it actually is. Like most monitors, Varanus jobiensis don't enjoy being handled and will likely struggle to get free. Since most of these monitors seen in the pet trade are wild caught it is only natural that they will be nervous and flighty. Obtaining a juvenile animal and working with it can produce a calm lizard. There are Peach-Throats out there that show no fear of their keepers but then there are many that will remain somewhat flightly even with handling. Gentle, persistent handling is the key.
Defensive behaviours include inflating the throat, biting, scratching, defecating on the handler and possibly tail lashing.