A highly aquatic monitor, the Mangrove Monitor, is popular among hobbyists, because it is both attractive and hearty.

Because the Mangrove Monitor prefers an aquatic environment it is important to provide plenty of water in their enclosures. The Mangrove Monitor is an excellent swimmer, and will often bask in the water for hours. Surprisingly they can remain submerged under water for over an hour! Some Mangrove Monitors may even spend the entire night in the water. It should also be noted that juvenile Mangrove Monitors are also arboreal and should also have climbing spots, at least until they mature. Adult individuals may also enjoy basking on branches, but they are not nearly as arboreal as younger individuals. This monitor is sometimes described as being nervous, but with regular handling and proper care they will often become easier to handle. Mangrove Monitors will usually not bite their handlers, though if stressed, they will not hesitate to use their sharp claws to escape. They do have sharp teeth and very sharp claws, and caution should be taken, especially when trying to handle an unfamiliar Mangrove Monitor. Newly caught Mangroves, tend to bite more often than individuals that are used to life in captivity. Lastly, like many other reptiles they will often defecate when in uncomfortable situations. In the wild the Mangrove Monitor will dive into water and swim away if approached, rather than act aggressively. They are very alert and will usually detect the presence of people quickly.

Some Mangrove Monitors are quite striking; their patterns are often dependant on where they live. They have dark purple tongues and cream-colored under-bellies. The rest of their bodies are fairly dark with light markings throughout. They are thick, hardy lizards with powerful legs for swimming, climbing, and running, and they have long, thick, meaty tails. There are several subspecies of Mangrove Monitor, most notably Varanus indicus kalabeck and V. indicus spinulosus. These can be differentiated from the nominate form by their appearance.

The Mangrove Monitor is native to Australia, New Guinea and the Marshall Islands, Caroline Islands, Marianas Islands and Solomon Islands. As their name might imply these monitors often find their natural habit in coastal mangroves, but they also inhabit swampy areas and inland lake regions. They are almost never found in areas far from water. Mangrove Monitors have been hunted for their skins, which are used to make drum heads in New Guinea.

An enclosure for the Mangrove Monitor must have several climbing places as well as a pool for swimming. The Mangrove Monitor is an excellent swimmer. The enclosure must also be large. The minimum recommended size is 6 feet in length, by two feet wide, but two feet tall, ideally, the best rule of thumb is, 'the larger the enclosure the better'. Some hobbyists suggest an enclosure that is twice the length of the individual monitor. Enclosures should have many hiding places to prevent the monitor from becoming stressed. Full spectrum lighting should be provided for about 13 hours per day. The Mangrove Monitor requires a high humidity environment. Humidity levels should be maintained between 65 and 85 percent, with daily misting a must. Temperatures should be between 84 and 88 degrees Fahrenheit in the daytime with a warmer basking area about 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures should be lowered at night, but temperatures should not be allowed to drop below 80 degrees, due to the risk of pneumonia and other infections as well as lack of ability to digest foods properly. All heat sources should be caged with wire mesh to prevent this arboreal crevice seeking species from wedging between heat sources and burning themselves.

The most important thing to remember when feeding Mangrove Monitors is that they need a varied diet. They should not be fed too much of any one food. Beef heart is a great meat for all carnivorous monitors, due to low its low fat content. Beef heart is also nice because it easy to inject vitamin and mineral supplements into it. Supplements, however, should not be needed with proper care and diet. Calcium supplements may be given with feeder insects depending on diet. Other foods include, goldfish, crabs (if available), calcium dusted insects, snails, shrimp, and canned monitor diets. Premium light canned dog foods may be offered on occasion as well. Low quality, non-light diets can cause health problems in reptiles. Some hobbyists also feed small reptiles, but this is not advised, since feeder reptiles may transmit disease to your monitor. It should be noted that health problems might arise with this species if they are fed large mammals such as rats. Sometimes hair impactions will occur, and these can cause serious health problems. Small mice may be fed on occasion, but there is always a risk of hair impaction when feeding any hairy mammals. Due to the largely arboreal nature of the Mangrove, especially when young, the offering eggs such as small quail eggs are appreciated greatly and as they grow, even chicks can also be offered. It should be noted that new imports often will not drop down into a water pan until they are settled in. Small hanging water bowls that are easily assessed may be more effective in offering water.

Many of the Mangroves on the pet market are wild caught and upon receipt they usually carry parasites, most often acquired by their diets in the wild. Often times this may be left untreated, and parasites may be present in the pet store. As is true with other reptiles, after acquiring a Mangrove Monitor it is important to take them to a reputable experienced reptile veterinarian for a checkup, even captive bred ones.

In the wild, the breeding season for the Mangrove Monitor is typically in the drier time of year, but in captivity, they can breed almost any time. The clutch size is anywhere from just a few, to as many as twelve. The elliptical shaped eggs hatch in about seven months.

Juvenile and baby monitors should be fed small meals twice daily as opposed to one large meal. Food may not be eaten daily, but should be offered and usually will be accepted at least once a day.