Adult Ackies can also be offered raw turkey on occasion if they are not on the heavy side. Don’t use dog and cat food – some people do but it is never a good idea. All going well, babies should emerge after 90-120 days. Ackies will make their own burrows but then they are not accessible. Ackie monitors are widely seen across most of Australia. As their name suggests, Ackies belong to the monitor family of lizard. Akies get to around 2 feet in length (males slightly larger). A.K.A. PVC is a great material for building reptile enclosures and it’s becoming more and more popular in the hobby. There are a number of different ways you can introduce the male. pubc.src = '//cdn.adclerks.com/core/ad2/32920/7280?r='+parseInt(randpubc); Ackies store fat in the base of their tails. This will greatly prolong the lifespan of your enclosure. These lizards typically only grow to two feet long, with their tails taking up most of the size. The yellow ackie is slightly smaller and is yellowish brown in color. Red Ackies sind in der Regel größer und können eine Gesamtlänge bis zu 70cm erreichen. You can buy a UV index monitor to read the levels of UV in the enclosure. 1.1 Varanus acanthurus Red Ackie 2020 1.1 Varanus tristis 2020 0.0.5 Varanus tristis 2020 0.0.1 Varanus macraei 2020 Only contact us if you are aware of the animals involved . Due to their relatively small size (for monitors) and generally good temperment, Ackies make a good starter monitor but are attractive enough to appeal to more experienced keepers too. We recommend a soil-based substrate such as Eco Earth or a Coconut Fibre substrate. Feeding to much meat (i.e. If not, you will need as large a wattage 10% or 12% UVB tube as you can fit in the viv. Instead of using wood, it is better to build the enclosure out of sheet PVC. Gut loading the insects prior to feeding is the best way to ensure a balanced diet. Its scientific name is Varanus acanthurus and it is sometimes referred to as the Spiny-Tailed Monitor or the Ridge-Tailed Monitor. The female will generally lay around 20 days after mating. Reptile and amphibian food should be varied, which is why we offer an array of feeder insects for sale. The biologists call them Red Spiny-tailed monitor (Varanus Acanthurus), Ackie dwarfs monitor or ridge-tailed monitor. If you follow the guidelines of the lights specifications, you should be fine. Whichever method you choose, you need to ensure you choose a bulb that emits enough UBV. Varanus Acanthurus (Red Ackie) Scientific name: Varanus Acanthurus (Red Ackie) Distribution: Australia. It is important to separate the male for a day or two at a time. This is a species that is naturally curious and given the right habitat and care, it can be a great pet lizard. Add to Cart. The lizard can then move away from the bulb to an area where there is no UVB if it wants. This product is currently out of stock. V. acanthurus acanthurus is known as the red ackie and V. acanthurus brachyurus is known as the yellow ackie. Ackie Monitors - Yellow (Babies) Yellow Ackie Monitors (Varanus acanthuras brochyuras) A.K.A. Their range extends throughout most of Western Australia and the Northern territory. Yellow will be much easier to find. She will start to dig in the substrate, searching for a good nesting spot. You should incubate them on a damp substrate such as vermiculite. pubc.type = 'text/javascript'; Juvenile Ackies should primarily be fed insects. Required fields are marked *. As large an enclosure as possible is desirable but a minimum of 4’x2’x2′. This is just West of Alice Springs. There are three subspecies of Ackie Monitor: Varanus acanthurus acanthurus; Varanus acanthurus brachyurus; Varanus acanthurus insulanicus Ridge-tailed Monitors and Spiny-tailed Monitors. ... Red Ackies are by far one of the easiest and most desirable of the smaller monitors. My preferred way to create a very hot basking area is with a combination of ceramic heat emmitter (on all the time) and basking lamp (on during the day). The base colour of the Ackie tends to darken towards the tail of the lizard. Better to encourage them to run around hunting by feeding live insects. Again, the occasional rodent can be thrown in. This will give the animals time to rest and destress. As Ackie Monitors need a humid substrate, PVC is the preferred choice when it comes to cage materials. They are generally a docile species but will take a bit of time to get accustomed to you. var pubc = document.createElement('script'); For the first couple of weeks they do great in tubs with a wet paper towel substrate. After laying, the female will appear much thinner that before with a more slender tail. You can build a custom PVC enclosure the same way you would build a wooden enclosure, but there are added benefits. Placed correctly, overfilling the bowl can help keep the lower levels of substrate moist and the Ackie will certainly relish going in the bowl. Prestwich . As these lizards grow to an average length of around 2ft, the minimum sized enclosure for an adult should be 4ft x 2ft x 2ft. Varanus acanthurus - "Ackie Monitor" #2 (unsexed) CBB 21.1g @ 3.17.21 4️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ After DNA analysis, it was indicated that the Red Ackie and the Yellow Ackie are in fact the same species and they are now both considered the one species again (Varanus acanthurus). The cool end should not exceed 80F in order to provide your monitor with enough of a thermal gradient to appropriately regulate their body temperature. They get a little larger (well longer at least) and so will need a large enclosure. Try start by rubbing the lizard as opposed to handling it. Like the Red Ackie, the Yellow Ackie has a dark brown base colour. Genus: Varanus Subgenus: V. (Odatria) Species: V. acanthurus The Red Ackie is an Australian variety of lizards, from the genus of monitor lizards (Varanus). This source of food is not suitable for Ackies and should be avoided. In very large vivs you can use a combined heat and UV lamp. Further evidence that suggests the red ackie is, indeed, V. a. acanthurus is that on a recent trip to Australia, wild red ackies were found and photographed abundantly near 80-mile beach and the eastern Kimberleys to the Victoria River and Halls Creek. PVC is a great insulator, so it is much easier to control temperatures than it is in a glass enclosure. It is important to be patient with young Ackies. They live in humid burrows, which are dug deep to escape the midday heat and control their hydration and temperature levels. In this guide we are primarily going to focus on the Red Ackie and the Yellow Ackie. Ackie Monitors (Red) yearling $ 409.99. After DNA analysis, it was indicated that the Red Ackie and the Yellow Ackie are in fact the same species and they are now both considered the one species again (Varanus acanthurus). Purchase these beautiful exotic reptiles that are eating regularly. This is usually the most popular choice when it comes to large custom-built enclosures. Meist jedoch 45-60cm. If you use this method, place the tube towards the back of the enclosure. They build up fat stores in their tails and when a certain level is reached and conditions are right, they start to produce eggs. If the lizard is on the skinny side, you can offer them rodents a little more frequently. The spend a large amount of time in rocky crevices to escape the intense midday heat. If you are not using a deep substrate in your enclosure, you will need to add a nest box in order for the female to lay her eggs. To maintain this, regular dampening or misting of the substrate is required to stop it drying out. The red and orange patterning also changes to bands or stripes, running across the lizard’s tail. The subspecies V. Acanthurus is likely the “red ackie” monitor. Also, by having a dark rest period they tend to be more acitve during the limited (around 12 hours) daylight hours. Living near rocky outcroppings, they will retreat into crevices and puff up their bodies to wedge themselves between the rocks when frightened. They will dig out a burrow to hide in and this needs to be at a higher humidity than the surrounding air. $399.99 . Some people recommend larger to ensure the correct depth of substrate but by using stones to form a retaining wall you can acheive the necessary depth in a vivarium of this size. Aim for around a 12hr day/night cycle. Fertile eggs are generally white in colour and oval in shape. Humidity is very important for Ackie Monitors. These conditions need to be replicated in their enclosure. If a female does not have an appropriate lay site, she may hold onto her eggs and become egg bound. If it is too shallow, not only will it not support a burrow, it will dry out too quickly. If you have a skittish monitor, try to build up a bit of trust first. Mixing in some coir helps moisture retention but I don’t like Ackies on pure coir (has to be too wet to support a burrow). Make sure that when being assembled the edges of the vivarium are well sealed. We are going to consider them the same species for now, but will discuss some of the differences between them. Ours burrow under the bowl, which is at the cooler end of the viv. They do need large enclosures and the right equipment, regularly maintained. As with any young lizard, you should give your monitor time to acclimatise before trying to handle them. The Ackie Monitor is native to the dryer regions of North-Western Australia. Print ; $399.99. However, the spots that run along the body of this lizard is yellow instead of red. z OUT OF STOCK - RED ACKIE MONITOR baby, Varanus Acanthurus-RED ACKIE MONITOR for sale Price of animal + $55 shipping *All live animals are shipped Fe Overhead heat is better for Ackies as they are a basking lizard. They tail of this monitor is also proportionally longer. It has a good structure that retains moisture at lower levels and can suport burrows without collapse. It is reported that red ackies generally grow larger and have relatively longer tails than other localities (Kuhn & Julander, 1999). Ackies Monitors are found widely throughout most of Australia. Therefor the substrate needs to be as deep as you can make it. As already alluded to, you can make a retaining wall with rocks to create an area with deeper substrate. In the wild they like to move around rocky outcrops and drop into gaps when threatened so putting in plenty of areas to climb and hide is a good idea. These lizards are known to eat cat and dog food as well as processed canned food. Analysis of the Island Ridge-Tailed Monitor has indicated that this monitor may need to be reclassified as a different species to the Red and Yellow Ackie entirely. The Ackie Monitor belongs to the Varanus (Monitor) genus of Reptiles. A large water bowl is good idea. pubc.async = true; Ackie Monitors - Red (Babies) Red Ackie Monitors (Varanus acanthurus acanthurus) Captive Bred A.K.A. The bulk of their diet should be insects but they will take pinkes and fuzzies etc. This is especially important for gravid females. During this time, you may observe them locked in the mating position for extended periods at a time. http://www.LLLReptile.com Some really nice Red Ackies Monitors (spiny tailed monitors) we had recently! Keep in mind that these monitors will need a large enclosure. Providing plenty of hides throughout the enclosure will give the lizard a choice of where to hide when maintaing body temperature so the more the merrier. The Red Ackie (Varanus acanthurus acanthurus) The Yellow Ackie (Varanus acanthurus brachyurus) Yellow Ackies are slightly shorter than red individuals, but their care is identical. Varanus acanthurus acanthurus V. a. acanthurus is native to northern Australia, from Broome on the west coast, through the Kimberley and the Top End, to the Gulf of Carpentaria. You can then move to short handling sessions before gradually increasing the duration until the lizard is fully accustomed to you. Some will even trust you almost immediately and will need very little persuasion to come out for a handling session. They should also be quite active, making a larger enclosure essential. If you want the biggest Ackie Monitor possible, opt for a Red over a Yellow as they tend to be bigger and be sure to choose a large enclosure, and provide plenty of heat and UVB. Analysis of the Island Ridge-Tailed Monitor has indicated that this monitor may need to be reclassified as a different species to the Red and Yellow Ackie entirely. If they are under weight, separate the male and don’t introduce them until they are at a healthy weight for breeding. This is a good indication that she is gravid. Always evaluate the health of your females prior to any breeding attempts. While this is large in comparison to many species of smaller lizards such as the Red Eyed Crocodile Skink, it is quite small for a Monitor. This is a good time to get your incubator set up. Many Ackie Monitors are puppy dog tame and will love spending time out of their enclosure. This item is out of stock and cannot be purchased at this time. When ready they produce a pheramone that stimulates the male into mating behaviour. Like bearded dragons, Ackies are from the dryer regions of Australia and need similar (but not the same) conditions. If possible, offer your monitor around a foot of substrate. These lizards like high levels so choose a bulb that emits 10% or 12% UVB. These lizards are perhaps one of the most entertaining reptiles on the planet. Adult Ackies can be fed a similar diet to juveniles. Ackie Monitor Varanus acanthurus. You should make the substrate as deep as possible to promote digging behaviour. Other types of soil are also suitable. In contrast, its “yellow ackie” is likely V. brachyurus. var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(pubc, s); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. We sell livefood so I always have a wide range avaiable so I am a bit spoilt for choice. It will also reignite interest in breeding. These conditions allow you to closely monitor the babies while ensuring they stay hydrated. An alternative option is to use a UVB tube in the enclosure. The first foot should be taken up by the substrate, leaving them 2ft of open space (height wise). We find that a custom build enclosure is the way to go, as it allows you to build a large enclosure to your own specifications without breaking the bank. This can simply be achieved by turning the lights off at night and on again in the morning. About: Spiny-tailed monitors (Varanus acanthurus) are a dwarf monitor species that inhabit rocky habitat throughout northwestern Australia. A water and food dish should be present. The type locality of the Red Ackie is the North-West coast of Australia. Their coloration ranges from a rich, dark brown to bright red base color and painted with bright-yellowish to cream spots, which often enclose a few dark scales. Ackies live in the arid regions of Australia where it gets really hot. The Ackie Monitor is a medium sized lizard, growing to lengths of up to 2.5 feet. This should only be offered every month or so and only if the lizard is not overweight. Keep an eye on juveniles to ensure they are feeding well and kept hydrated. These are much smaller compared to other species of monitors reaching no more than two feet in total length. This should consist of a variety of different insects such as crickets, mealworms, locusts and small roaches. Ridge-tailed Monitors and Spiny-tailed Monitors. When it comes to Ackies, the larger the better. Unlike wooden enclosures, PVC does not rot or warp when it gets damp. In captivity, Ackie Monitors can be bred year-round. This isn’t a species that will do well in a small enclosure. £399 . The Yellow Ackie is similar in appearance to the Red Ackie, with the primary difference being the colour. They are found in arid dry regions or scrubland environments throughout Western Australia, Northern Territory, and parts of Queensland. This, coupled to the fact that they like it very hot in the basking area (50-60 degrees centigrade) means that they need a large vivarium. They are avid breeders, fast growers, generally very tame, and acrobatic during feeding time (often doing backflips while chasing crickets). Its tail is round in section and features very spinose scales. Housing, heating, lighting, substrate, decor, diet, handling, social and more. The Red Ackie has a dark brown base colour. Tweet Share Google+ Pinterest . The Ridge Tailed Monitor is also known as an Ackie Monitor within the pet trade. 45-65cm erreicht. Keep in mind that this is the minimum size you should be using. As with any reptile, you must ensure that both the male and female are in good health and appropriate weight before trying to breed them. The Red Ackie Monitor is primarily found in Western Australia. One way of doing this is to give them a 3ft tall enclosure. They are a very active lizard and like to burrow in the substrate. Basking lamps and UVB lamps should be switched off overnight to give a good day/night cycle. Ackie monitors (or spiny tailed monitors) make a good first monitor lizard or a step up from the more commonly kept agamid lizards such as bearded dragons. While they are a medium sized lizard, they are considered ‘Dwarf’ Monitors, as they are much smaller than many other species of Monitor lizards such as the Asian Water Monitor. You will notice a change in the behaviour of your female. Red Ackie Monitor are some of the most unique pet lizards available and require work. They are probably not for someone who has never owned a reptile before but make a good step up from the usual beaded dragons and leopard geckos etc. That said the word is damp, not wet! A comprehensive Ackie Monitor (Varanus acanthurus) Care Guide. Similar to the Red Ackie Monitor, this patterning tends to change to stripes along the tail of the lizard. These active lizards will utilise every square inch of space that you give them. Their backs are spotted and their thick tails are covered in hard, short spines, which can help them climb between narrow rocky spaces. The sub-genus that Ackies belong to is called Odatria. (function() { She will also look noticeably larger and appear bloated. UVB is essential for calcium metabolism (manufacture of vitamin D3 in the skin) so is not an “optional” requirement. This is a very curious and intuitive lizard. There are 19 recognised species that fall under this sub-genus including the Pilbara Monitor and the Kimberly Rock Monitor. Ackies in general are known to live for at least 15 years with good care. Red Ackies unterscheiden sich in einigen Merkmalen von den normalen oder auch Yellow Ackie genannten Tieren ( Varanus acanthurus brachyurus). These are not dimmable but if the viv is big enough and the lamp sized correctly, as they like it so hot, you can get away with it. Varanus acanthurus inhabits much of the northern half of Australia. Red Ackie Monitors (Varanus acanthurus acanthurus) Captive Bred. These lizards prefer arid environments and are usually found in rocky outcrops or scrubland. Buy baby Red Ackie Monitors for sale online. Most will become quite tame (our male is very tame, the female less so, although she can be handled). If you would like to receive a notification of when they come back in stock please enter your email below. If you have a large viv. It is very difficult to provide the correct thermal gradient in a large glass enclosure. Ackies (Varanus acanthurus) at AAR. Handle sessions should be short at first to reduce the stress placed on the lizard. Add to Cart View Options. The idea is to have moist soil in the viv and if care is not taken to seal all the edges and joins the vivarium will not last long. The ambient temperature at the cool end of the enclosure can drop to around 70F. Ackie Monitors need a lot of UVB. Posted on March 29, 2015 by rangell. The less stress the lizard is under before you interact with them, the easier the encounter will be. Fertilzed eggs are then laid in a burrow. It can also be very difficult to find a glass enclosure that exceeds 4ft in length as they are not readily available in most pet shops. This can be increased over time. These lizards rely on a humid substrate to keep hydrated so wood isn’t a good choice when it comes to cage material. There is no correct method and so just go with whatever works best for you. While dusting food is important, it should not be considered a replacement for a good varied diet. Red Ackie Monitors (Varanus acanthurus acanthurus) Captive Bred A.K.A. The Varanus a. acanthurus is also available but due to the high demand and less supply of pure animals this subspecies is often considerably higher priced than the Yellow Ackie. The Spiny Tailed Monitor or sometimes called the "Ackie" monitor is indigenous to Australia and usually comes in red or yellow colors. Red ackies also grow larger than yellows and have a distinct cross and spot head pattern which is absent in the yellow ackie. As with most lizards, if the eggs are removed to an incubator for hatching they must not be turned and must be kept in their original orientation or the embryo will die. These lizards love to dig so you should be aiming for a deep substrate that is loosely packed. Remember they are quite long lived, 15 – 20 years so if considering these fascinating little monitor lizards you need to understand the comittment you are undertaking before buying. Believed to be female. This can include substrate and cage decor. A good soil, sand mix works well. If they are starting to gain weight, reduce the number of insects that you offer each day.