Varanus panoptes horni (Argus Monitor) Reproduction

Abstract. An adult pair of Varanus panoptes horni (male acquired as a hatchling in August 2006 and female acquired in 2007 as a 3 year old adult) has been maintained in a 366 x 122 x 244 cm custom enclosure since 5 April 2007. The enclosure offers multiple basking areas and a substrate depth of 60 cm comprised of a topsoil and sand mixture. Prior to being introduced to the male, the female laid two clutches of infertile eggs. For most of the year, a partition across the center of the enclosure was used to separate the pair to prevent fighting. The divider was removed every two weeks for three to four day intervals. The adults were offered a daily diet consisting primarily of mice, although bait fish (“bull minnows”) ca. 12–15 cm long were occasionally offered.