To the Nile advocates

[MikeT]

Come on, guys. Be realistic. Although drop dead gorgeous, Niles are the worst choice in a monitor. The tame one presented is an anomoly and anyone thinking they are going to end up with a nice sweet Nile is fooling themselves. Advocating Niles only supports the continued pillage and tortue of the species. To defend the Nile is to kill the Nile. If you trully like and respect this species do not recommend it. Rather do all you can to discourage people from purchasing them.
Mike

[Mardy]

I agree, but as a long time nile owner I'm proud of my girl. They get large and demand a lot of respect at all times. Not for kids, only people with experience should keep them. This almost brings up another point, captive breeding??
It's one I have though about.....and still after a couple years of thinking about it, I just don't know. So many pros/cons....I'm very pro CB animals.

Well enough of my drivel, take Mike to hart all.

MArdy

[Tim and Julie B]

Damn rights they should be captive bred. As long as there is a market, whether you agree with it or not, captive breeding reduces the number of wild caught. This is a far greater issue. Every rep. deserves to be bred in captivity. To lessen the need for people to reduce the wild populations. If you do not think most people should own them then please educate the people but don't condemn the species.

I totally agree that the species is not for everyone! :D Tim.

[markb]

What most people do not understand about niloticus/ornatus is that it is not when You tame them, it is when THEY TRUST YOU that they calm down and relax their aggressive attitudes and tactics there-of....these wary varanids are so, and successful across Africa because of this aggressive behaviors, has lead to their reproductive and distribution across this continent.... when they trust you and learn you are no threat to them, they will relax, not the other way around....and that takes time on THEIR terms, not yours....advocating breeding programs is good for any species, and now there is some good information out there.... the aggressive nature of this animal can be made when given their relationship with crocodylus niloticus, their primary competetor in Africa for nesting sites, food resources availability and so on...where you have large amounts of C.niloticus, you have few V. niloticus, and visa-versa, large amounts of V. niloticus, you have few C. niloticus, epsecially on offshore inland-lake islands where population dynamics is delicate. You would be wary and leary too if a 20 foot+ crocodile was trying to eat you day and night! ...and consequently, the V. niloticus is the #1 nest raider of crocodiles in Africa from Alexandria in Egypt to the Cape, RSA.

With patience on both persons part, the nile monitors can calm down and become one of the most docile animals....on their terms and this can take YEARS!!! YEARS!!!....be patient, and keeper and the kept can get along; schedule your feedings, cleaning like clock work to get each other used to one another helps! Familiarity over time builds trust, whether it be relationship of human-human, human-varanid kinds...
good luck,
markb

[monitor boy]

well i agree greatly with all the statements above.
but give me 2 years and nile monitors will be cbb i just trying to get my female up to some nice big weight so she will be good to reproduce.
now you say niles are for the most experienced but i know i don't want to encourage ppl to buy them but it was my first monitor and i think i did a very good job at it.

well i am on the topic of niles i was at pcpc and there was a nice ornate there about 3 feet not to agressive just hissed and tail whipped but no biting if it is still there in a month that will be my male to breed wit my female
then hopefully buy this time of the year next year i will producing niles,coastals,boas,argus,timors

[LdyDrgn]

There are a TON of CBB Niles here in the states. In my personal opinion, there are too many. They can be purchased for ridiculously low amounts of money, too. :( Makes no sense to me to sell animals that will get large and potentially dangerous so cheaply.

I agree that education and patience is the key to keeping these animals, but they certainly are not for just anyone as the market would lead you to believe....

Well said Mark!

[markb]

Hi Ladydragon,

Where are all these captive bred nile monitors coming from? Who is breeding them here in USA? I would like to talk to them....I am researching the wild vrs captive breeding cycles of African varanids to see if there are real differences or not....got any ideas?
Thanks,
markb

[Mardy]

Mark B. I think all those CBB niles are CH just not sold correctly. Very few being captive bred.

I have not forgot the Malawi video, for you.
Just to tell you, my brother was there for 4 months collecting Cichlids on lake Malawi. From what I have been to told their are more niles in the lakes than rivers(crocs like rivers better)
My bro. could care less about reptiles??he's weird
so no shots of them on the video but you can see all the habitats from lots of different parts of the lake,islands and coastline. The monitors were seen daily and would run from people.

MArdy

[Linds]

LdyDrgn,
Same questions as Mark. Everyone I have spoken to on the topic has said that pretty well all niles in the states, and of course up here since we are such a bunch of slowpokes :rolleyes: , were all either WC or CH, and that there wasn't really anyone working with Niles or Waters, mainly due to the spacial requirements and the fact that they can be imported so cheaply, which also explains why they are offered at the low prices you mention.

[burmer]

I thought long and hard before buying my nile. I researched for over a year before I got mine. I do however agree they are not for everyone. I will be happy if when mine is grown he just tolerates me. As far as breeders, I belive a guy named Robert Faust does breed them. He wrote a book on niles and I do belive he breeds them.

[markb]

Hi,
Rob Faust's book is a pretty good, being the only book on nile monitors, but there are other sources re: nile monitor reproduction. Dr. Vivian De Buffrenil of Paris Museum has published some good reports of her Lake Chad data regarding V. niloticus reproduction that might interest you....J. Canadian Zoology.

Good luck,
markb