Several of these sources were helpful in the creation of this guide and can be used by the reader as additional sources of ackie monitor-specific information:
General Sources
- Ackie Monitor Keepers — (Facebook group) A good place to go for ackie monitor-specific questions, to check out what other keepers are doing, and interact with a like-minded community. Created by John Aromando (Professor Herp) and David Archer.
- Ackie Monitor Fans — (Facebook group) Another good place to go for ackie monitor-specific questions, to check out what other keepers are doing, and interact with a like-minded community. Created by Jeff Easter (GIS Herps) and Josh Nugent.
- “A Guide to Australian Monitors in Captivity” by Danny Brown— (Book) Published in 2012 and now out of print in every format except eBook, this has become something of a collector’s item for monitor keepers. It offers excellent advice on every facet of husbandry specific to Australian monitors, detailing what sets them apart from monitors from other parts of the world.
- “Monitor Lizards: Natural History, Captive Care & Breeding” by Bernd Eidenmuller— (Book) This is published by Edition Chimaira, so you know it’s good. Thin enough to be digestible, thick enough to offer excellent insights into a variety of monitors including ackies.
- “Reptiles & Amphibians of Australia, Updated Seventh Edition” by Harold G. Cogger — (Book) This is one hefty field guide, packed with detailed information on all Australian reptile and amphibian species described prior to October 2013 — including ackie monitors. Field guides are an invaluable resource for gathering the natural history information necessary to great reptile husbandry.
Relevant Scientific Papers
- Brown, D. (2008). A Case of Hermaphroditism in the Ridge Tailed Monitor (Varanus acanthurus) . Biawak, 2(2). http://varanidae.org/Vol_2_No_2_Brown.pdf
- Brown, D. (2009). Hemipenal Transillumination as a Sexing Technique in Varanids. Biawak, 3(1). http://varanidae.org/Vol3_No1_Brown.pdf
- Doody, J. S., Clulow, S., McHenry, C. R., Brown, M., Vas, G., & Canning, G. (2017). Varanus acanthurus (Spiny-tailed Monitor Lizard). Communal nesting, and commensalism. Herpetological Review, 48(1), 203. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/319035338_Varanus_acanthurus_Spiny-tailed_Monitor_Lizard_Communal_nesting_and_commensalism
- Dryden, G., Green, B., King, D., & Losos, J.B. (1990). Water and energy turnover in a small monitor lizards, Varanus acanthurus. Australian Wildlife Research, 17, 641-646.
- Horn, H.-G., & Visser, G. J. (1997). Review of reproduction of Monitor lizards Varanus spp in captivity II. International Zoo Yearbook, 1, 227–246. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-1090.1997.tb01214.x
- Julander, J. (2010). Observation of a Wild Pair of Spiny-tailed Monitors (Varanus acanthurus) Engaged in Breeding Activity. Biawak, 4(4). http://www.varanidae.org/4-4_Julander.pdf
- King, D. (2008). The Diet and Foraging Strategy of Varanus acanthurus. Biawak, 2(1). http://varanidae.org/Vol_2_No_1_King.pdf
- Kuhn, P., & Julander, J. (1999). The Red Acanthurus Monitor Varanus acanthurus: A Giant Dwarf. The Vivarium, 10(3), 23–26. http://www.kingsnake.com/aho/pdf/menu4/kuhn_undated.pdf
- Mendyk, R., Augustine, L. & Baumer, M. (2014). On the thermal husbandry of monitor lizards. Herpetological Review. 45. 619-632. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/287469845_On_the_thermal_husbandry_of_monitor_lizards
Wild Observations
