Brand New Ackies

[PhilK]

Well today I went to the AAE pick up place at Brissie airport and picked up these two beauties. I was going to get three but needed the money for other things - wish I did get three now though because I am in LOVE with these little guys!

They are so small but already so full of life. Their tank was just set up today but I got it made by Boa ages ago (thanks Boa) - dad and I painted the back drop on and I furnished it today. The only problem I have had is that the hot spot is WAY too hot with a 100W lamp (it's making the cool end 34 degrees!), so tomorrow I'm off to buy a 75W.

They are really amazing little critters and are so beautiful and active - though they do not like me at all and any attempt to pick them up is met with them shooting off at pace. I hope they get more used to me

Anyway sorry for rambling but I am obsessed - here are the photos. They aren't great because they move around so much and I was too excited to take photos during the unpacking.


Enclosure:

Ackies:

Sorry for so many photos but I went snap happy - who could blame me?

They are red sandfire ackies and are bred by Mark Wiltshire - who was a delight to deal with!

Hope you enjoy
Cheers

 

[EightLeggedFrea]

Sweet lizzies! How much did they cost each? Did you design that enclosure yourself?

 

[P. Novak]

Great stuff! I love the lil guys, these guys stay small right?

I also want to know where did you get that cage?

 

[PhilK]

They get to about 60cm as adults, so they are one of the smaller monitors. Full of personality though!

They cost $250 (Australian) each

Thanks for the compliments on the cage. I had it built by someone here in Brisbane. I designed it though, he just built it. Dad and I painted the backdrop on it - I think the whole thing is awesome!

 

[Boanerges]

I love ackies too!!! Just a tad bit expensive for them. I would love to have a trio myself one day BTW, congrats on your new additions they are beautiful and i am sure they will calm down and get used to you with regular handling!!! Have fun with them

 

[PhilK]

They are such great little captives. Active as can be and SMASHED their roaches today... grabbed them and wacked them against everything - almost to watch!

 

[davidbarber1]

Phil, GREAT setup! Yeah, just keep working with them and they should settle down. Nice acquisitions. Have fun with them

David

 

[PhilK]

Thanks for the great replies - I am stoked with them! They are sooo active and have such appetites. I have been told monitors generally settle as they age, so I guess I'll just stick it out!

 

[Snakeguybuffalo]

awesome ackies. I am down to one now, but have been keeping them for years. Can I just offer some advice? Put a heat lamp on your cool end as well to raise it. A 100w lamp on the warm end will be fine, they like a basking area around 130 degrees F. Also, if you are going to keep them on sand, give them a good half our soak at least once a week to minimize shedding problems. These little guys are prone to losing toes and tails due to retained sheds in conditions that are too dry. Other than that, enjoy! these really are awesome animals.

 

[PhilK]

Thanks buffalo! I have noticed a lot of ackies with missing toes/tails - I will do as you suggest... Though the humidity isn't too bad in their enclosure as they have a large water bowl down one end.

The basking site is 80 degrees C for these guys, and the light is such that the cool end is also maintained around 30 degrees C. That seems pretty god from what I have been reading.

 

[Snakeguybuffalo]

yeah looks good to me after I've done my C to F conversions...lol. That enclosure really looks incredible.

Ambient humidity never seemed to do it for me, as those parts of the body always seem to be in contact with the bone dry sand. I've tried so many things. Another solution (but far less natural looking considering where they are found) is compressed coconut fiber with a little vermiculite mixed in. I didn't like it though because it stuck to them so much it would create problems at feeding time. And that is my favorite time to watch these monsters!

Good luck, looks great!

 

[Aztek]

Awesome!
i love monitors