{"product_id":"gillens-monitor-pygmy-mulga-monitor-varanus-gilleni","title":"Gillens Monitor\/Pygmy Mulga Monitor (Varanus gilleni)","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGillen’s Monitor (Varanus gilleni) for Sale\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe Gillen’s monitor, also known as the pygmy mulga monitor, is one of Australia’s smallest goannas, with all the intelligence and character of a monitor in a manageable size. Native to the arid mulga woodlands of central and western Australia, it’s a tree-climbing species that spends its days moving between branches, hollow limbs and loose bark, hunting insects and small lizards. It’s active, curious and fascinating to watch: a great step up for keepers ready for their first monitor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick facts\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScientific name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eVaranus gilleni\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCommon names:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gillen’s monitor, pygmy mulga monitor, Gillen’s goanna\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAdult size:\u003c\/strong\u003e about 35–40cm including the tail\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8–15+ years with good care\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNative range:\u003c\/strong\u003e arid mulga woodland of central and western Australia\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eActivity:\u003c\/strong\u003e active by day, climbing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eExperience level:\u003c\/strong\u003e intermediate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLicence:\u003c\/strong\u003e [NSW licence class, e.g. R2]\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHand-picked for you\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWe don’t keep reptiles crammed into a small shop. We work with more than 80 trusted breeders across Australia, inspect each monitor in its home setup and choose the healthiest, calmest animal for you. Collect it from the breeder, or we’ll deliver it at no extra cost (air freight excepted). Reptiles are sold online only, due to permit requirements.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eGillen’s Monitor Care Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEnclosure\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGillen’s monitors are climbers, so height matters. Juveniles can start in a 60x45x90cm enclosure, while adults do best in a tall enclosure around 90x60x120cm. Use a secure, lockable enclosure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eClimbing and hides\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStack cork bark, branches and hollow logs vertically, with hides at several heights. Gillen’s monitors love tight, enclosed refuges, like hollow branches and cork tubes, where they can wedge themselves in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBasking spot\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMonitors need a very hot basking surface: around 45–55°C on a horizontal branch or rock directly under the basking lamp. Without enough heat they can’t digest properly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAmbient 26–30°C by day, with a cool end to escape the heat. At night, lights off and temperatures can drop to around 18–22°C. Run every heat source through a thermostat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLighting\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUVB is recommended for all monitors: use a strong UVB light (10–12%) on a 12-hour timer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHumidity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eKeep it low and dry, as this is a desert species. Provide one slightly humid hide to help shedding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSubstrate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOur Arid Substrate Mix or Australian Desert Sand, with rocks and leaf litter on top.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMostly live insects (crickets, woodies and roaches), with an occasional small rodent for adults.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJuveniles: daily\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdults: 3–4 times a week, in moderate amounts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eDust insects with calcium. Don’t overfeed adults, as Gillen’s monitors gain weight easily.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eKeep a shallow water bowl available, and refresh it regularly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHandling\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOften flighty when young, but most settle well with calm, regular handling. Give your monitor time to settle in before handling, and support its body.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGillen’s monitor FAQ\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow big do Gillen’s monitors get?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAround 35–40cm including the tail, which makes them one of Australia’s smallest monitors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre Gillen’s monitors good for beginners?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThey’re a great first monitor for keepers with some reptile experience. They’re small and manageable, but need a very hot basking spot, strong UVB and lots of climbing space.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow hot should a Gillen’s monitor’s basking spot be?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAround 45–55°C on the basking surface, with a much cooler end to retreat to.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat size enclosure does a Gillen’s monitor need?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eJuveniles can start in 60x45x90cm. Adults need a tall enclosure around 90x60x120cm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEverything you need:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gillen’s Monitor Bioactive Enclosure Kit, Electronic Reptile Thermostat, Feeder Woodies (Nauphoeta cinerea).\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Biota Studio","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52865032126695,"sku":"Pygmy Bearded Dragon (Pogona henrylawsoni)","price":710.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5014\/0903\/files\/V.gillenijuv_2.jpg?v=1792319374","url":"https:\/\/www.biotastudio.com.au\/products\/gillens-monitor-pygmy-mulga-monitor-varanus-gilleni","provider":"Biota Studio","version":"1.0","type":"link"}