Many Varanus melinus come through the SE Asian pet trade, mostly hatchlings and juveniles. Of all those I have come across, I have yet to have one bite me or even hear about them biting. If you can get one while it is young, they are wonderful monitors. The same can not be said of the adults that have come through here. When given the opportunity, the young ones like to climb and do not spend much time on the ground, but they love swimming in the water.



The reason that you do not find much written on this species is because it is a newly described species (Böhme u. Ziegler 1997). Being from the Moluccas in Indonesia, yes, you want to keep the humidity high. I have only seen one large adult so far and your enclosure sounds small for a large adult. For feeding information look at M. Bayless' Viviarium article. If you can not find it, follow instructions for Varanus indicus (it is from the V. indicus group of monitors).



Michael

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