Black Throat Monitor

[P. Novak]

I'll be getting a baby Black Throat Monitor soon, and I basically have all the care covered. Any tips you more experienced keepers want to let me know?

YES, I know the size these get up too.

 

[Morax]

How bout you loose some weight fatty fat fat fat!!!!!! ahahhaa guess whoooo???!?!!?:liar:

 

[P. Novak]

Alright so I aquired a 13" little Black Throat Monitor today, and he is great looking! A little fiesty though, oh well, nothing a few months/years of handling and what not won't help. Anyways I'm curious as to what type of substrate I should use. I am currently using newspaper, but do you think it is safe to use anything else? Or should I just wait till he's older.

 

[LoganVivisected]

They like to climb and dig, so keep that in mind. Keep the substrait semi-moist (think dirt in souther pineforest) and at least half as deep as the animals body excluding the tail. Some dig more than others but its good to cover your bases. grapeving and large but secure rocks are great for climbing on especially when they are still young, though make sure the enclosour is secure because they are pretty adament about trying to climb out from time to time (they are smart little guys). They are also extremely greedy eaters haha, they'll keep you busy on crickets and love the occasional pinky (never had one eat a frozen though, always live), they run all over darting after them and chasing them and stalking them, its really great to watch. Make sure youve got a good size water area, they'll swim from time to time and enjoy the occasional soak. Just keep it clean cause they also love using it as a bathroom. temp wise mid 70s-80s with a mid to high 90s basking area works well. At that size i wouldnt recomend anything short of a 75 gallon tank though, these guys are extremely active. Hope that helps. Need anything more specific and i'll be glad to help.

 

[Nivek]

I'm sure you already know, but if it bites you don't put it back in its enclosure immediately. You don't want it to learn that biting gets it what it wants.;P

 

[P. Novak]

Thanks guys for the tips. Now one more question, can I use the ecoearth "block" substrates as a substrate for a 13" monitor?

 

[Nivek]

Thanks guys for the tips. Now one more question, can I use the ecoearth "block" substrates as a substrate for a 13" monitor?

I used it a lot with my smaller monitors, and they loved it. I tong fed, to make sure nothing got ingested, but they burrowed through it a lot and seemed to enjoy it.

 

[P. Novak]

Well I don't have to worry about it during feeding, because I feed him outside of the enclosure to prevent cage aggression or anything similar. I was just worried because if he did injest some would it cause impaction?

 

[Nivek]

Well I don't have to worry about it during feeding, because I feed him outside of the enclosure to prevent cage aggression or anything similar. I was just worried because if he did injest some would it cause impaction?

I don't think it would be likely, as long as it ingested very small amounts. It would probably be fine unless it straight up gorged on the dirt. I'm just paranoid, so I always tong fed.

 

[LoganVivisected]

Thats all I've used for the few I've kept and thats usually what the people I know use, haven't had any problems with it that I am aware of.

 

[P. Novak]

Thanks guys, I may put some in tomorrow. I just really hope nothing negative happens if I do. Also I have a wooden enclosure, what would you reccomend as a water proof product to stop the wood from being destroyed by the humidity.

 

[P. Novak]

Here's some pictures of Sirius Black, Sirius for short.

 

[monitormonster]

What a handsome little feller! I always wanted a black throat, but they get a little too big for the cage that I have.

Yeah, I agree you have to be careful with the substrate. I fed my monitor outside of his cage and he still got an impactation. I would recommend getting some kind of non toxic stuff that is more dirt or sand-like.

Good luck! He looks very healthy

 

[P. Novak]

Thanks, he can be pretty fiesty at times though. He's tamed down a lot since I've got him though. I think I'm just gonna stay with newspaper until he gets a bit older. What do you think? Also, he's only 13" from snout to tip of tail how old do you think he/she is?

 

[kupo969]

I'm sure you know this already, but coco fiber is 100% natural and if it were to eat some it would most likely digest it then poop it out!

 

[P. Novak]

I'm sure you know this already, but coco fiber is 100% natural and if it were to eat some it would most likely digest it then poop it out!

Yea I was aware of that, but I still read and heard stories of peoples reptiles getting impaction from it :wall:

 

[sweetmisery]

Looks great!!! I used to have a pair of water monitor(native here), but became too big and a hassle, so I had my office mate whos into animals adopt them.

 

[P. Novak]

I think I already know the answer, but would it be ok to use cypress mulch as a substrate for the little guy?

 

[P. Novak]

Alright actually can you use Aspen Bedding or Cypress Mulch as bedding for the little guy?

 

[Nivek]

Alright actually can you use Aspen Bedding or Cypress Mulch as bedding for the little guy?

I've used cypress before, but I'm weary of it as they tend to freak out and sprint/burrow and cypress can be sharp...Stay away from aspen though, way to easy to ingest in my opinion.