So the herp bug has bit me--Monitors

[Deliverme314]

I think that I may be being lead away from the invert world. I have found that I have an immense fascination for herps and will probobly devote more hobby space to that, especially since my better half seems at least fairly ok with them.

I have fallen in love with monitors but want something small... I understand that there are dwarfs that reach say two feet'ish or a little over but cant find them on the web...

Can you fine folks hook it up with scientific names to any monitor that remains under three feet or up to three feet?

I would appreciate it.

 

[Joe]

Ackies - Varanus acanthurus

Timor monitor - Varanus timorensis

Dumeril's monitor - Varanus dumerilii

There may be other species of dwarf monitors, but I can't think of any more off the top of my head.

 

[Raindog]

Ackies and Timor's have been great in my experience but somehow every dumerils that I have ever come across was out for blood. Monitors are great but beardies and frilled get my vote for coolest when it comes down to having to actually live with the little beasts on a daily basis.

 

[zoobugs]

If you're new to varanids and want to stay small, ackies(either reds or yellows...reds being more expensive), are ideal. They can also be kept in communal groups..something that most varanids can't do. I've got 4 yellow ackies in a 70 gal aquarium and they do fine. If you don't want something as heavy as an aquarium, Rubbermaid makes livestock troughs that do nicely for small monitors. as posted previously, timors are also a good bet along with being communal. Kimberly rocks, gillen's and storr's monitors are also available, but a bit more pricey. Good Luck! Monitors are everything you always wanted in a dog, but scaly! LOL!

 

[Deliverme314]

If you're new to varanids and want to stay small, ackies(either reds or yellows...reds being more expensive), are ideal. They can also be kept in communal groups..something that most varanids can't do. I've got 4 yellow ackies in a 70 gal aquarium and they do fine. If you don't want something as heavy as an aquarium, Rubbermaid makes livestock troughs that do nicely for small monitors. as posted previously, timors are also a good bet along with being communal. Kimberly rocks, gillen's and storr's monitors are also available, but a bit more pricey. Good Luck! Monitors are everything you always wanted in a dog, but scaly! LOL!

4 adults in a 70?

Really?

How big do they get minus the tail? I did some research on them and found some info on yellow ackies and they are what I was leaning towards.

Can you describe their temprement some?

 

[Wade]

I used to work with yellow and red ackies when I worked for a reptile breeder awhile back. Average snount-vent length for adults was around 12" give or take. They were very nice lizards. Although they generally didn't sit there passivley when being handled, they usually didn't bite either. I did hear about annother employee getting bit, and apparently it was very painful.

We had kimberly rocks, storrs, and a number of other dwarf monitors. Kimberlies were the mosy fantastic looking, with loooong neclks, flattened wedge-like head and brilliant coloration. Storrs were nifty also. They looked like ackies, but about half the size. It's concievable to keep a pair in a 20 long!

Wade

 

[Gene]

I would have to say ackies are your best bet all the way around. I love mine and this is a pic from when they were just a few months old.

Or you could go with a monster like my boy Yoshi here.

In either case check out a place called Pro Exotics.

Look HERE for a link. There is a guy there by the name of Robyn & he is a great help. They also have Black rough neck monitors or Rudi's for short. Varanus rudicollis I belive. In fact Dragoon here on the boards has some & breeds them. They are similar to Dumerils monitors but a little nicer in my opinion.

Hope this helped.

 

[Dragoon]

Here's my own personal Godzilla:

Monitors are unlike other lizards, IMO. More aware, more aloof, and more discerning.
It is MUCH easier to meet the needs of a smaller monitor, than a mid sized one (rudicollis or dumerils). Animals this intelligent need company of their kind, IMO.
Good luck.
D.

 

[Deliverme314]

Of say a midsize (where a pair could fit comfortably into a 6 foot long by say four feet high and 3 feet deep enclosure) what would be the most docile pet friendly monitor?

 

[Gene]

Most of the time a montitor is what you make of it. Unfortunatly they are just as much individuals as you and I are. You got some really cool one's and some that are just pure evil. Start with a young one, pay a little extra and be sure you are getting one that has had a good start in captivity and is already well cared for. They are out there but it takes a little searching. #1 place to start in my opinion is Pro Exotics. Robyn will not steer you wrong.

I am afraid that your idea of midsize & fitting in a cage that small is a little off. No offense intended. It can be done but of what is commonly available you almost jump from small (ackies) to some of the smaller large one's like Goon's up there. The black rough neck. Dumerils & flavi's are also pretty good mid-size candidates but a pair especially will require more space than that & if the need should arise you need to be prepared to seperate the animals if something goes wrong. I have lost animals because I wasn't properly prepared or didn't see the problem coming. Don't be discouraged though, this is part of the fun of keeping these animals.

Argus may be an option too but beware they are very, VERY active & high strung animals. I would suggest you look around & find the species that you like them most based on what you want, not what size cage you have or anything like that. A wise desert rat once told me that it doesn't matter what you get as long as it's what blows your skirt up. If you settle for something less interesting initally you will only end up wanting the one you wanted in the first place even more.

Here are some good sites to check out too....

www.cybersalvator.com
www.kingsnake.com
www.varanus.net