Lanthanotus borneensis
Introduction
This semi-aquatic reptile has several distinct features. Its body resembles a Monitor, with a round shape and short limbs. The short legs have sharp claws for grabbing objects underwater. Its prehensile tail anchors it in fast-flowing streams, helping it hold onto rocks and driftwood. However, it cannot regrow its tail if lost due to injury. The rough body has six rows of thick scales, giving it an ancient appearance. The broad head lacks visible ears but can still hear. Its small, light-colored eyes have a unique membrane for underwater visibility. The lizards can make faint squeaking sounds by moving their throats, and they may occasionally flick out a forked tongue. In terms of color, earless monitor lizards are mostly dark reddish-brown, with orange-brown accents on the lower body and a mottled pale yellow or rust underside.
Enclosure
The first step is to find a suitable enclosure. Although earless monitor lizards are smaller than other types, they still need a large space due to their semiaquatic nature—spending time both in water and on land. A custom-made habitat is often preferred. The best design has three solid walls, with one side featuring a mesh wall for air circulation. Solid walls provide good insulation and easier temperature control. You can use different materials; glass or plexiglass is preferable for easy cleaning. The minimum size for the enclosure should be 250cm x 120cm x 60cm.
Temperature & Humidity
Warm hide temperature: 30°C
Cool zone temperature: 25°C
Nighttime temperature: 21°C
Humidity isn’t something you need to worry about when it comes to earless monitor lizard care. While it’s true that it remains an important parameter for their overall health and well-being, the core design of the habitat effectively takes care of humidity levels for you. The thoughtfully designed water section will naturally create all the moist air your lizard needs to thrive and stay healthy!
Substrate
use a fine particulate that the lizard can easily move with its claws. These guys love to burrow and create makeshift homes in the soil. The best material you can use is a mixture of clean dirt and soil. Reptile mixes should work well. Avoid anything with large pieces that could pose a choking hazard. Oil-filled mulches are a big no-no, too. On the dry land, add branches, logs, and other items the lizard would encounter in the wild. Bundles of moss are much-appreciated as well
Food & supplements
Feeding occurs exclusively in water, primarily with earthworms . shrimps and small fish can also be consumed, but they thrive on earthworms alone. Upon detecting food, they sway side to side until prey is found, relying on their sense of smell and movement detection rather than sight. Adult earthworms should be provided to adult Lanthanotus every 2-3 days. Worms are rinsed and dropped into the water.
The following animals could be used
earthworms
shrimp
small fish
Squid
Tadpoles
Mussels
Behaviour
Almost entirely nocturnal in behavior, these fascinating creatures prefer to remain hidden under layers of leaf litter, fallen trees, and various types of floor debris. They are typically found in close proximity to water sources. Most active during the night, they engage in their hunting activities primarily in shallow waters while searching for food. Interestingly, they tend to be relatively immobile when not hunting, but can burst forth with a surprising amount of speed when they find themselves in pursuit. Lanthanotus possess the remarkable ability to tear apart worms with a swift, crocodilian-like body roll, making this process captivating to observe and a testament to their unique hunting strategy.
Conclusion & Difficulty
Earless monitor lizards are truly fascinating reptiles, well-known for their very unique and distinct appearance that captures the attention of many reptile enthusiasts. On top of that, their friendly demeanor makes them quite enjoyable and fun to own as pets! Contrary to popular belief, they are not that hard to keep, provided you are willing to take your time and care when setting up their enclosure to create a suitable and comfortable environment for them to thrive in.
Difficulty: 2 out of 5.