Ackie Monitor

AKA: Australian spiny-tailed monitor, the ridge-tailed monitor, or Ackie's dwarf monitor.
Range: The northwest quadrant of Australia
Habitat: Preferred habitat is arid and/or seasonally dry areas with sandy soil and plenty of rocks
Diet: Mice, crickets, hissing cockroaches, mealworms, snails, eggs (chicken, quail, and leopard gecko), and shrimp.
Lifespan: 15-20yrs

Kalkadoon

Kalkadoon came to Turtle Bay as a young hatchling. He will grow to be about 24” long at full size.   

Fun Facts

  • The name “ackie monitor” is derived from the pronunciation of their Latin name, ACK-an-thur-us.

  • In the wild, color is generally correlated with the color of the soil and rocks in an ackie monitor's habitat as a form of camouflage.

  • Ackie monitors use their spiny tails to protect themselves from predators. They will wedge themselves into a tight space and then block the entrance with their tail.

  • Coming from Australia, Ackie Monitors love the hot weather. You may often find them sunbathing in rocky areas. when they get too hot, they will seek shelter in the shade.