Description
Ackie Monitor (Varanus acanthurus)
The Ackie Monitor is one of the most popular monitor lizards in the reptile hobby, prized for its intelligence, manageable size, and inquisitive personality. Native to the rocky deserts of northern Australia, this active species is constantly exploring, digging, and basking, making it an incredibly rewarding reptile to observe. With the right setup and regular interaction, Ackie Monitors can become confident and engaging pets.
Habitat
Ackie Monitors originate from the hot, arid regions of Australia, where they shelter amongst rocks and in deep burrows to escape the heat.
- Enclosure: Large, secure vivarium (minimum 4ft x 2ft x 2ft for a single adult, larger preferred)
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Temperature:
- Basking spot: 50–60°C
- Warm side: 30–35°C
- Cool side: 24–28°C
- Humidity: Low to moderate (30–50%) with a humid burrow or hide available
- Lighting: High-quality UVB lighting is essential
- Decor: Rocks, logs, hides, climbing structures, and deep digging areas to encourage natural behaviours
Feeding
Ackie Monitors are active insectivores with a healthy appetite and require a varied, protein-rich diet.
- Diet: Crickets, locusts, roaches, mealworms, silkworms, and occasional pinkie mice or quail eggs as treats
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Feeding frequency:
- Juveniles: Daily
- Adults: 3–4 times per week
- Dust feeder insects regularly with calcium and vitamin supplements, and always provide fresh water
General Care
Ackie Monitors are intelligent, curious reptiles that thrive with enrichment and regular interaction.
- Temperament: Alert, inquisitive, and often become tame with regular handling
- Handling: Can become very confident and tolerate regular interaction when socialised correctly
- Lifespan: 15–20 years with proper care
- Maintenance: Maintain high basking temperatures, provide regular enrichment, and keep the enclosure clean and secure
Why Choose an Ackie Monitor?
- Intelligent and highly interactive
- Smaller and more manageable than many other monitor species
- Active, curious, and rewarding to observe
- Beautiful natural colouration with a distinctive spiny tail
- Excellent choice for experienced reptile keepers looking for an engaging lizard
The Ackie Monitor is often considered the ideal monitor lizard for captivity, combining intelligence, personality, and manageable size into one truly fascinating reptile.
Click & Collect
Livestock will only be bagged once you arrive, or if you contact us in advance to request it ready beforehand.
Local Delivery
Order anything from our in-store range and have it delivered right to you.
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Minimum spend: £50
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Delivery from £15 - £30
- Range 0-25 miles from store
Distances are measured “as the crow flies”, not by road.
Once your order is placed, we’ll be in touch to arrange a suitable delivery date and time.
Please note, delivery may take a little longer as we often group orders together to build an efficient delivery run.
Important: If you’re ordering a large aquarium, please ensure someone is available to help unload the van on arrival.
Dry Goods Delivery
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DX Express: 1 working day, same-day dispatch before noon 0-75kg
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Express Pallet: 1–3 working days 75-500kg
If you'd like to add more items to an existing order that hasn't yet been dispatched, please place a Click & Collect order and leave a note asking us to combine the orders.
Please note: We currently only dispatch parcels Wednesday to Friday.
Pre-Order
Want the full details? Check out our Terms & Conditions.
Livestock Delivery
Thursday Delivery – £24
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Dispatched Wednesday afternoon
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Delivered Thursday before 1pm
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Order by Wednesday 12 noon
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Minimum spend: £50
Friday Delivery – £24
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Dispatched Thursday afternoon
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Delivered Friday before 1pm
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Order by Thursday 12 noon
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Minimum spend: £50
Saturday Delivery – £29
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Dispatched Friday afternoon
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Delivered Saturday before 1pm
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Order by Friday 12 noon
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Minimum spend: £50
📦 Want to Add to an Existing Order?
No problem! Just place a Click & Collect order and leave a note asking us to link it with your original one (as long as it hasn’t been dispatched yet).
🛒 Dry Goods Now Included!
You can now include dry goods in your livestock delivery – perfect for topping up supplies in one go.
❄️ Please note: We can’t send frozen food with livestock – please order frozen items separately.
⚠️ Delivery Exclusions
Unfortunately, we’re unable to deliver livestock to the following postcodes:
Scotland & Isles:
AB30–AB56, DD8–DD10, DG3–DG9, DG12–DG14, FK17–FK21, KA18–KA19, KA26–KA30, PA20–PA38, PA80, PH3–PH40
Cornwall Isles: TR21–TR25
All of the following postcodes are excluded:
BT, HS, IM, IV, JE, KW
Plus Channel Islands and Shetland Islands
Payment & Security
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