Ackie Questions

[Minkness]

Hey all,

So, I have been doing some research about ackies and will probably be going with a yellow for size, cost, and temperment.

I have the general care requirements, space, diet, viv set up, temps, humidity, ect. But, something that alot of people are saying is that these moniters are 'social' and should be kept in pairs or trios.

I may not mind a pair, but I may only want 1 due to the financial upkeep of each animal (and I already have a large collection that will continue to grow).

Does anyone else have information on the 'need' for more than one? Also, I read that if I get 2 hatchlings that they can morph their genders so that if I get 2, one will be male and one will be female, and if I get 3 that they will be 1.2. The other thing I read (which confuses me as I feel this info contridicts other info) is that I should nake sure that the hatchlings grew up together. To me this means siblings, and if I gwt a pair of siblings and they breed, it would be inbreeding, not something I'm super fond of.

So...please...fill in the blanks, correct any misinformation I have stated, and provide personal experiences if you can!

[Blueblood]

Ok I can help with some of it not all though. As far as I know keeping them in singles is fine just they will not get as much natural stimulation or be as entertaining for the keeper. Basking temp should be 140-160 this can depend monitor to monitor as some prefer hotter or cooler temps. Ambient hot side temps are 100 and 82-86 cool side. If you plan on getting one lizard a 4x2x2 will do well, or larger, they will defiantly use the space. I sujest building your own enclosure from melamine or plywood, cheaper and more effective the aquariums. Substrate that I used when I kept them was a mixture of potting soil and play sand, this will replicate their natural habitats, put as much substrate as you see fit but more tends to be better. Humidity is around 65-85 inside of the substrate or their burrows, outside humidity can be lower. They benefit for Uva and uvb so include full spectrum lighting or a Mercury vapour bulb. Feed most of your normal feeder but primarily dubia roaches and calcium dusted crickets, feed according to size, age and weight. Include wood to climb on and a variety of hides, and rocks. These monitors are a pleasure to work with and observe and will be very rewarding when kept correctly. Good luck!!

[sirtalis]

Id go 6Lx2.5Wx5H imo i mean the lizard can get close to 30 in

[Blueblood]

I can help you with some of it but not all. As far as I know they can be kept fine in singles but they will be more stimulated and enriched when kept in pairs or trios. These are active monitors that like it HOT, basking temps should be 140-160, depending on the lizard it may like it hotter or cooler. Ambient hot side temps should be 100 while the cool side should be in the low 80s. Include full spectrum lighting. Use a mixture of soil and play sand for the substrate as it will replicate their natural environments. When adding substrate to the cage more is better. Humidity should be 65-85 in their burrows but it can be significantly less in the rest of the cage. These monitors will use all the space you can provide, but a good size cage would be a 4x2x2. All normal feeders work well for ackies, feed primarily dubia roaches and dusted crickets, they will also accept pinkie mice. Now that I got the care tips over let's address the "changing sexes." I know that some fish can do what you explained but I have never heard of any reptiles being able to do it. Maybe somebody can answer this because I have no clue. Raising them as hatchlings will be easier in the long run, in a sense they will become bonded to each other. Inbreeding shouldn't be a issue but I agree I don't like it. Hope I helped lol this is my second crack a writing this as I somehow deleted the first attempt. Good luck!!