The ackie monitor, also known as the ridge-tailed monitor or Ackie’s dwarf monitor, is a small lizard found in Australia and parts of Indonesia. In this post, you will find everything you need to know about how to take care of an ackie monitor. Including its diet, tank setup, and ideal temperature range. Let’s get started!

Specie Overview

The Ackie monitor (Varanus Acanthurus) is a striking reptile that grows to an average length of 2.5 feet, with some exceptional specimens reaching 3 feet. The tail is long and thin, and lined with sharp spines.

Ackie monitors are nature’s true adventurers, bravely exploring their world from desert to rainforest. In captivity, they do best in an enclosure that is at least 4 feet long, 2 feet wide, and 2 feet tall. The enclosure should have a secure lid, as these lizards are excellent climbers.

The lifespan of Ackie monitor

When it comes to pets, few creatures are as intriguing as lizards. These unique creatures come in all shapes and sizes. Many people find them to be both fascinating and fun to watch. Are you ready to add a scaly companion to your household?

Before taking the plunge and welcoming a lizard into the family, make sure you’re aware of all things related. One of the most important is that lizards can have a surprisingly long lifespan.

Ackie monitors have an expected lifespan of 15 to 20 years. That’s nearly double the life expectancy of many other popular pets, such as dogs and cats. 

Ackies monitors are highly dependent on their environments, diets, and well-being to thrive. Thus providing quality care is key for these scaly creatures. However, if you’re prepared to give your new pet the care it needs, you can look forward to many years of companionship.

Color and appearance

Ackie monitors offer a vibrant selection of colors that can bring any space to life – from cheerful oranges and reds to mellow yellows and browns. These lizards have dark bands that run across their backs and tails. 

Ackie monitors are known for their beautiful and varied colors, with each region presenting a unique pattern of vibrant hues. From subdued earthy tones to the most vivid combinations imaginable, these stunning reptiles never cease to amaze.

For example, those from Australia tend to be more brightly colored than those from Indonesia. A few of the module scales stretch all the way up the body. They embellish the lizard’s back. They are, though, a little more delicate.

Are Ackie Monitors ideal For Beginners?

They are relatively small, reaching a maximum length of about two feet. Ackies are also known for being very intelligent and easy to train.

Ackie monitors may require a bit of extra love and attention compared to other reptiles, but they make up for it in their unique personalities – making them an ideal companion for experienced reptile owners.

Ackies need a large enclosure with plenty of space to move around, and they must be provided with a variety of hiding places. Although they require more care than some other lizards, Ackie monitors can make great pets for experienced reptile enthusiasts.

Ackie monitor care sheet

Diet

If you’re thinking of getting an Ackie Monitor for a pet, be prepared to go through a lot of insects. Ackie monitors are fierce predators, preying on a carnivorous diet of insects like grasshoppers, crickets beetles, and cockroaches. They occasionally go off the beaten path to snack on smaller lizards or eggs – a sight sure to make any unsuspecting observer jump. 

No matter what time of year it is, Ackies will always be interested in eating these same types of foods. For an Ackie monitor to stay healthy and content, it’s essential to feed them a wide variety of delicious foods.

By ensuring they have plenty of different options seasonally, you will be providing your pet with the necessary nutrition for their long-term well-being.

While most Ackies in the wild will eat just about any insect they can find, pet Ackies can be a bit pickier. If your Ackie is one of these picky eaters, don’t worry – there are still plenty of nutritious options available.

Instead of buying pre-packaged food for your Ackie monitor, why not try something more unique and satisfying?

You can find live insects online or at pet stores to feed your lizard – or you could even breed them yourself. This is actually a great way to save money in the long run, as live food can be quite expensive.

Another option for fussy Ackies is to feed them frozen food. This food is typically sold in the form of small insects that have been caught and then frozen.

Many Ackies will happily eat these frozen insects, and they can be a great alternative to live food. Just be sure to thaw the food before feeding it to your lizard, as it can be a choking hazard.

Regardless of what type of food you feed your Ackie, it’s important to dust it with calcium powder before offering it. 

Tank Setup

Ackie monitors are energetic lizards, who require plenty of room to roam and explore. An enclosure no smaller than 50 gallons is advised for one Ackie monitor; however, bigger tanks create a more stimulating environment – especially if you plan on housing multiple critters together. 

These lizards are also known for being good climbers, so be sure to include plenty of branches and rocks in their enclosure. This will provide them with the opportunity to climb and explore, as well as a place to hide when they feel threatened.

Ackies are native to arid regions, so their enclosure should have a desert-like feel to it. This can be accomplished by using sand or reptile carpet as a substrate and including plenty of rocks and branches. You can use commercially available hides, or you can create your own using PVC pipe or cardboard boxes.

It’s also important to provide your Ackie with access to UVB lighting. UVB light isn’t just a fashion statement. It’s an essential component of reptile health!

Exposure to UVB helps reptiles absorb calcium, which is necessary for strong bones and teeth. It also allows them to create their own vitamin D3 – increasing energy levels and keeping them healthy all around.

Get yours at your local pet store or online now. Be sure to position the light so that your lizard can bask in it, but make sure it isn’t too close to their basking spot. This can cause them to overheat.

Temperature

Ackie monitors need a warm environment in order to stay healthy. Keeping lizards happy and healthy requires creating a temperature gradient within their enclosure, ranging from 85-95℉. The desired environment allows them to find the perfect spot to regulate their body temperature. 

This can be accomplished by using a basking spotlight to create a warm basking area and placing a cooler hide on the opposite side of the tank.

It’s also important to provide your Ackie with a heat source at night. These lizards are nocturnal, so they will be active when the temperature drops. Be sure to position the heat source so that it doesn’t shine directly on your lizard, as this can cause them to overheat.

Substrate

Monitoring the humidity in your Ackie Monitor’s enclosure is vital to their health and well-being. These lizards come from semi-arid regions of Australia, so they are used to living in relatively dry conditions.

Ackies thrive in a damp, moist environment, and without it, they can become dangerously dehydrated. Make sure that you provide them with plenty of fresh water by using large bowls to hold the humidity within their enclosure.

Additionally, these lizards love to dig, so a deep substrate that is loosely packed is ideal. Two popular substrate choices for monitor lizards are Eco Earth and Coconut Fibre.

Both ensure that the beloved pet has access to plenty of burrowing opportunities and is kept adequately humidified. By providing your Ackie Monitor with the proper environmental conditions, you can help ensure a long and healthy life.

Water

Ackie monitors need access to fresh water at all times. A bowl of water should be placed in their enclosure, and it should be large enough for them to soak in if they choose.

This will help keep the air humidity levels up, which is important for these lizards. And filled it with clean, filtered water. Take a look at the plate because it can quickly become dirty. To avoid harmful concerns, replace toxic water as quickly as possible.

Humidity

One of the most important is humidity. Ackie monitors need a relatively high level of humidity, ideally between 65 and 85 percent. If the humidity drops too low, it can cause serious health problems. Maintaining the perfect atmosphere in your Ackie monitor’s enclosure is a priority for any reptile owner. 

Health

Ackie monitors are typically hearty reptiles, but if their surrounding habitat is not properly managed they can be prone to health complications.

By taking care of the environment in which these creatures live you can ensure that your Ackie monitor remains healthy and happy. The most common health problems seen in Ackie monitors are respiratory infections and metabolic bone disease.

Respiratory infections are typically caused by a lack of humidity in the enclosure. These infections can be serious and even fatal if left untreated, so it’s important to make sure that the humidity level in your Ackie’s enclosure is maintained at a level that is appropriate for their species.

If you notice any signs of a respiratory infection, such as wheezing or mucus coming from the nose or mouth, take your lizard to the vet immediately.

This can be a serious problem if not caught early, so it’s important to make sure that your Ackie monitor is getting enough calcium in their diet.

The best way to do this is to feed them a diet that includes insects and other small animals, as well as leafy greens. You should also provide them with access to a calcium supplement, which you can purchase at your local pet store or online.

If you take care to provide your Ackie monitor with a proper diet and environment, they will be healthy and happy for many years to come.

Handling

Ackie monitors are not typically a species that enjoys being handled, but they can become accustomed to it with time and patience. Regular handling of your Ackie monitor is key to developing a trusting relationship and preventing defensive bites. Through gentle contact, you can help create an environment that encourages trust between the two of you.

When handling your Ackie, be sure to support their body from underneath so that they feel secure. It’s also a good idea to have someone else present when handling these lizards, as they can be quite wiggly.

One key difference between Ackies and other common pets is that Ackies are initially more skittish than other lizards.

Geckos, for example, are usually calm when first introduced to handling. Patience is key to successfully taming and holding an Ackie.

Slowly introduce yourself by placing your hand in the enclosure and letting your lizard come to you; it may take several weeks. With several weeks of slow introductions, Ackies usually take well to handling.

Once your monitor trusts you, they often initiate handling by approaching you. If this happens, pick up your lizard with a scooping motion and always support its whole body.

Behavior

Ackie monitors are solitary animals that do not do well when kept with other lizards. Fiercely independent and resourceful, these lizards invade rocky outcroppings and savannas to hide from the glaring eyes of predators.

Evading danger by embracing the shadows, they demonstrate their strength with every successful escape. In captivity, Ackie monitors should be provided with an enclosure that offers plenty of hiding places. This will help your lizard feel secure and reduce stress.

Ackie monitors are active during the day, so it’s important to provide them with a basking spot where they can soak up some heat. These lizards are also good climbers, so be sure to include some branches or rocks in their enclosure that they can climb on.

Temperament

Ackie monitors are generally shy and timid lizards that do not enjoy being handled. These lizards can be aggressive if they feel threatened, so it’s important to approach them slowly and carefully.

With time and patience, Ackie monitors can become accustomed to being handled, but they will always be skittish around humans.

They are known to become more aggressive under stress, as when their surroundings are filthy. When this happens, the lizard may bite at you or flick its tail. You may simply avoid any bad behavior if you keep their habitat in good condition.

What is the price of an Ackie monitor?

Ackie monitors can be found for sale online and at reptile shows for around $100 to $200. Baby Ackie monitors are typically more expensive than adults, as they are harder to find. albino Ackie monitors are also more expensive than other colors, as they are less common.

Conclusion

Ackie monitors are easy to care for with the right information, and they can be a joy to watch as they explore their enclosure. Provide your Ackie monitor with a proper diet, tank setup, and temperature range. You will have a happy and healthy pet for many years to come.

Thanks for reading!

FAQs

What do Ackie monitors eat?

Ackie monitors are insectivorous carnivores, and so delight in a diet full of tasty treats like crickets, waxworms, grasshoppers, and roaches. These lizards also enjoy the occasional pinky mouse as a treat.

Keep your Ackie monitor well-fed by regularly providing them with tasty, small bugs that are just the right size for snacking. Be sure to dust the insects with a calcium powder supplement to ensure your lizard gets the nutrients it needs.

What is the ideal temperature for an Ackie monitor?

For the perfect living conditions, Ackie monitors need a daytime temperature of 80 degrees Fahrenheit with an extra-hot basking spot achieving 95. However, this should drop to 70 at night – otherwise, they’ll never get quality rest.

What kind of enclosure does an Ackie monitor need?

Ackie monitors should be kept in a glass or plastic enclosure that is at least 3 feet long, 2 feet wide, and 2 feet tall. These lizards are good climbers, so the enclosure should have branches or rocks for them to climb on. 

How often should I clean the enclosure of an Ackie monitor?

The enclosure of an Ackie monitor should be cleaned once a week. Remove all of the lizard’s food and water dishes, as well as any substrate (such as sand or gravel). Wash the dishes with hot water and soap, and scrub the inside of the enclosure with a reptile-safe cleanser.

Ensure that all components of the enclosure are sparkling clean by giving them a thorough rinse and allowing ample time for drying. This will help ensure your items stay safe and in perfect condition.

Is Ackie monitors intelligent?

Ackie monitors are considered to be one of the more intelligent lizard species. These lizards are known to be curious and inquisitive, and they can often be seen exploring their enclosure. Ackie monitors can also be trained to do simple tricks, such as following a target with their eyes or sitting up on their hind legs.

What is the lifespan of an Ackie monitor?

The average lifespan of an Ackie monitor is 10 to 15 years. However, these lizards can live up to 20 years with proper care.

Do Ackie monitors make good pets?

These lizards are easy to care for with the right information, and they can be a joy to watch as they explore their enclosure. If you take care to provide your Ackie monitor with a proper diet, tank setup, and temperature range, you will have a happy and healthy pet for many years to come.

Is Ackie monitors aggressive?

Ackie monitors are not typically aggressive, but they can be if they feel threatened or territorial. These lizards should only be kept with other Ackie monitors if they are of the same size and gender, as they may become aggressive toward others that they perceive as a threat.

Ackie monitors need plenty of space, hideaways, and room to roam in order to get along happily. By providing them with a spacious environment that meets all their needs, you can ensure your Ackies have the best chance at successful cohabitation.