We recently caught a monitor lizard in our area. Below are pics of the lizard. I did some research and it seems that only water monitors are known to exist in our country - Philippines (Mindanao). I was wondering if anybody is familiar with monitor lizards and let me know what kind of monitor this one is because this one was found nowhere near any body of water. It's somewhere between 3 to 4 feet in length.
Water Monitor? Help ID
- Thread starter marvindu
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Looks like a young water montior (Varanas salvator) to me.
Cheers,
Dave
Cheers,
Dave
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It's Varanus salvatore.
The animals from the Phillipines tend to have alot of yellow...some turn almost completely yellow as adults and are referred to as Sulfur Monitors.
The animals from the Phillipines tend to have alot of yellow...some turn almost completely yellow as adults and are referred to as Sulfur Monitors.
singlemind
Arachnopeon
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Agreed, and yeah... those guys like to soak a bit, as well as humidity.
Do they also need tall barks or wood to climb on? Some people have said they like to climb. Though I haven't seen one climb trees in the wild. How big should there enclosures be? Some sites have said 6' x 3' x 4' (l x w x h) while another site said a minimum of 3m x 2m floor area. Just wondering what the minimum space should be.
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Whats wrong with its mouth? Anyways yes give him something to climb and give him two hides, one off the ground and one on the ground so he can choose. Also make sure they cage is nicely landscaped, they really appricate that. Make SURE he gets full spectrum lighting. These animals get large so a very large cage is in order. though I dont know the minium cage size.
IMO I would go with the largest area you can provide. These things grow over 3m so those cage specs you gave seem to small.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_monitor
Someone from Kingsnake recommends a cage like this: 12ft x 7ft x 4ft
http://www.kingsnake.com/monitorfaq/species.htm#7.4
IMO I would go with the largest area you can provide. These things grow over 3m so those cage specs you gave seem to small.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_monitor
Someone from Kingsnake recommends a cage like this: 12ft x 7ft x 4ft
http://www.kingsnake.com/monitorfaq/species.htm#7.4
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I'll try to keep the area as large as possible and make sure the 12ft x 7ft x 4ft would be the minimum. Thanks for your help guys.singlemind
Arachnopeon
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Thats a decent size enclosure to be sure for up to an adult or juvenile, keep in mind that they do get 3m+ as a maximum, but that is not guaranteed. That also factors in half of the length or so being their tail which they can whip around rather nastily. Full spectrum light is a must as mentioned, natural sunlight being the best. Monitors have been shown to be less 'tame' in natural sunlight as well though.
These guys aren't really arboreal at all but will climb to bask in a warm area.
These guys aren't really arboreal at all but will climb to bask in a warm area.
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Oh and make sure to offer a variety of prey.(mice, whole fish, large insects, snails/crayfish ect) Cut chicken will not cut it, though its a good starter food until he settles down into his new habit.
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Hello!
As I've study a bit Your local reptile fauna I would suggest that it is should be Varanus salvator cumingi, the small subspecies of the V. salvator, but can't tell You for sure as it is gas a less of yellow on it's head as the "proper" V.s. cumingi should have.
Anyway, it's nice water monitor!
Enjoy!
As I've study a bit Your local reptile fauna I would suggest that it is should be Varanus salvator cumingi, the small subspecies of the V. salvator, but can't tell You for sure as it is gas a less of yellow on it's head as the "proper" V.s. cumingi should have.
Anyway, it's nice water monitor!
Enjoy!
I posted my question on another forum looking for more help on the setup of their enclosure. The guys there have been a great help, just in case this might interest you. I do believe it is a varanus cumingi. thanks. The forum link is below...
http://www.cybersalvator.com/DF/viewforumreplies.asp?cid=2&fid=2&tid=315
http://www.cybersalvator.com/DF/viewforumreplies.asp?cid=2&fid=2&tid=315