Varanus panoptes horni care guideline

[reptiletalk]

Hello everyone,

Here is a guideline for Varanus panoptes horni from Steve Foo.

Argus monitorVaranus panoptes horni | ReptileTalk NET (http://www.reptiletalk.net/argus-monitor/)

[murrindindi]

Hi, the caresheet on the White throated monitor is very unreliable, in particular the basking surface temp are far too low, they need to be between approx. 50 to 60c+.
This is not the 2nd longest African monitor, that would be V. niloticus. V ornatus is the largest of the African species, known to reach at least 240cm and heavily built.
The caresheet on V. ornatus is also unreliable in some respects, namely that different basking temps are advised throughout ontogeny which really aren`t necessary. A range of between approx. 50 to 60c is perfectly fine for hatchlings through to adults, neither is it necessary to keep building bigger enclosures as they grow, the hatchlings will flourish in an "adult sized" enclosure from day one.
Captive Varanids do not require UVB exposure in order to remain healthy, long lived and productive (proven over many years and generations), however that is not to suggest UVB is harmful, if the keeper chooses to use either real or artificial UVB that`s fine.

[sirtalis]

Just for the record they can grow over six feet, I believe it would be a bit cruel to keep this in a 8 foot long enclosure https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfQohljVtNs apart from that 10/10 as usual :D

[reptiletalk]

Hello murrindindi,

Thank you for your feedback. I fixed the intro on albigularis. That was my mistake. As far as the care sheet go the mentioned breeders are sharing their way of keeping their animals as I mentioned at the end of every profile.

[murrindindi]

Hello murrindindi,

Thank you for your feedback. I fixed the intro on albigularis. That was my mistake. As far as the care sheet go the mentioned breeders are sharing their way of keeping their animals as I mentioned at the end of every profile.

Hi, it`s not about "fixing the intro", the information is unreliable, it would be extremely unlikely that anyone would be able to keep the monitors in good health for any length of time, let alone breed them with any regularity using the methods in the caresheet (in particular the basking surface temps of between 35 to 40c)!?
There`s a mountain of misinformation "out there" already, we really don`t need to add to it.

[dannybgoode]

@murrindindi-apologies for the slight thread hijack but I have a question that's been troubling me. I see a number of savannah monitors for sale on Facebook and invariably someone asks how long they live for.

The stock answer seems to be 12 years or so. This seems low to me-what is the lifespan of a properly looked after savannah (or indeed any other monitor)?

Thanks

[reptiletalk]

The information is unreliable, it would be extremely unlikely that anyone would be able to keep the monitors in good health for any length of time, let alone breed them with any regularity using the methods in the caresheet (in particular the basking surface temps of between 35 to 40c)!?
There`s a mountain of misinformation "out there" already, we really don`t need to add to it.

I will speak with the breeder and get to you. I agree that we shouldn't add to the misinformation so thank you for letting me know.

[murrindindi]

@murrindindi-apologies for the slight thread hijack but I have a question that's been troubling me. I see a number of savannah monitors for sale on Facebook and invariably someone asks how long they live for.

The stock answer seems to be 12 years or so. This seems low to me-what is the lifespan of a properly looked after savannah (or indeed any other monitor)?

Thanks

Hi, the majority of captive Savannah monitors seem to live between 3 to 10 years or so (10 being quite rare from what I see on the forums) mainly because of subpar husbandry. I`m not sure anyone really knows how long they can live if properly supported, but it may well be over 20years, and perhaps far in excess of that (other species, too).

[dannybgoode]

Hi, the majority of captive Savannah monitors seem to live between 3 to 10 years or so (10 being quite rare from what I see on the forums) mainly because of subpar husbandry. I`m not sure anyone really knows how long they can live if properly supported, but it may well be over 20years, and perhaps far in excess of that (other species, too).

Thanks. I suspected that the 12 year thing came from the fact that's how long they seem to live in captivity but given the longevity of other reptiles I thought it was possibly suspect.

Would be great to hear of some good long lives now at least some of them are being kept correctly.