Husbandry and Reproduction of Varanus olivaceus Hallowell (Sauria:Varanidae) at the Avilon Montalban Zoological Park

Abstract. A facility for the captive breeding of Varanus olivaceus Hallowell, 1857, was established at the Avilon Montalban Zoological Park, Rodriguez (Montalban) Municipality, Rizal Province, Philippines in 1994. Reproductive husbandry and behavior of captive wild-caught adults were observed. A total of five clutches of eggs ranging from 4-16 eggs per clutch were produced by three females of variable sizes, between July and September of 2002-2005. All clutches were artificially incubated. The incubation period for a late-term neonate that expired shortly after being assisted with hatching was 209 days, and 217 days for a surviving, assist-hatched neonate. Feeding techniques and behaviors observed in both the wild-caught adults and the surviving captive-bred neonate are discussed.