Red Ackies

[frogman]

I have been thinking about getting a pair or trio of red ackies ? Just wondering what size enclosure I would need for them ?

Also if somebody has a link to a good care sheet I would be interested in reading it ?


Thanks

Charles

[KaHane]

Try NiagaraReptiles, Jon would have the info.

[Scotty Allen]

I'll second that KaHane. Jon is doing real well with his ackies and is quite knowledgeable and willing to help out. Not to mention that he has some great breeding stock and a cute girlfriend.

[Jeff_Favelle]

Excellent choice in lizard man!!! I thank you personally for NOT choosing a Leopard Gecko or a Bearded Dragon! LOL!!

JonK will have all the info you need. There are also excellent care sheets at Python Pete's website, as well as the Pro Exotics website.

[frogman]

Jeff I have never had a beardie or a Gecko I do however currently have a Water Dragon but he was a resuce.

Thanks
Charles

[Jeff_Favelle]

Water dragons are very cool! Have you thought about getting a mate for it? There is definitely NOT enough CB Water Dragons on the market!!

:D

[lance]

hurmph.......
and whats wrong with leos and beardies

[NiagaraReptiles]

Thanks for the kind words guys :)

frogman - An adult pair or trio of <i>V. acanthurus acanthurus</i> would require a minimum of a 4'x2'x2' enclosure with at least 10 inches of substrate. Of coarse they will use all the space you could give them, but this is a minimum in my opinion. They are also a lot more fun to watch and easier to meet their needs in a larger enclosure.

I strongly suggest reading over the <a href="http://www.varanus.net/faq/">Captive FAQ</a> at Varanus.net. It is a faboulous resource for info refarding captive husbandry of monitor lizards, and was written in a colaborated effort between a couple of the most successful and knowledgeable Varanid keepers/breeders in the continent.

I'd be happy to offer any support I can regarding monitor husbandry, and any more specific questions you may have.

That is truely a great choice, Ackies are awesome!

Best wishes,

[Jeff_Favelle]

Oh, there's nothing inherently wrong with Beardies and Leos, they are georgous animals. Its just that people who have obviously progressed past the point where they are learning no more and not being challenged are not moving to something harder. Why are they continuing to churn out hundreds of these beginner lizards? Money! Its not like they are challenging. My 5 year-old nephew could breed Leos.


So instead of progressing to another species, people breed these things by the thousands, and it must be solely driven by money. Its not like these things are endangered and we need more of them! Plus, its putting ten dollar animals in the hands of people that shouldn't be caring for reptiles. Its created a disposable animal, and I find it sad. Just because they are easier than mud to breed, doesn't mean that they should.

Just my opinion, and not intending to offend anyone. But I find it sad to see a bazillion Leos and Beardies at the reptiles expos, and virtually none of the dwarf monitors, a far more interesting and intelligent species. Oh well. I guess there's a place for both kinds of animals in the industry. Maybe they will be bred for feeder animals in the future!

Don't hate me, its just an observation I've made over the last few years. And sorry for wrecking your post frogman, it wasn't my intention.

[frogman]

Hey Jon

I read the info at Varanus.net but I was wondering if you had an info spacific to Ackies ? Such as any spacific housing Req's such as Temp and Substrate ? and Feeding Req's ?

Also if you are working with these would you have any available ??

Thanks
Charles

If you wanan E-Mail me it is Frogman@elmrij.net

[lance]

lol wholly smokes jeff i was just kidding i to would love to own a monitor or a tegu one day but am not set up yet for one
but i agree it's time to move on to more challenging and rarer animals

ps. could your nephew tell me how to breed my leos lol haha
just kidding

[Jeff_Favelle]

Lance!! Hey, congrats on the Beardie eggs man!

[NiagaraReptiles]

Originally posted by frogman
Hey Jon

I read the info at Varanus.net but I was wondering if you had an info spacific to Ackies ? Such as any spacific housing Req's such as Temp and Substrate ? and Feeding Req's ?

Also if you are working with these would you have any available ??

Thanks
Charles

If you wanan E-Mail me it is Frogman@elmrij.net

<hr>
I'm not sure as to what "specific" info about Ackies you are looking for. All monitors have the same needs, they just different methods of attaining them.

Housing requirements depend on the number of animals you plan to keep in the enclosure, temps are pretty well the same as they should be for any monitor - 75°F-140°F - and substrate can vary and may depend on what your goal is for them. I should hope that you wish to breed them, but if not a different substrates can be used. The idea is to use a substrate that retains moisture well, yet has good drainage, and will hold a burrow.

As for feeding, that is a day by day thing. You have to take it as it comes, there is not set schedule that works for every animal all the time. For an example, a single male shouldn't eat as much as he can all the time, where as a breeding female should be offered as much as she'll eat all the time. Other aspects of husbandry also have a direct effect on feeding. The things I mentioned above is assuming you have an adequate temperature variance in the enclosure and teh monitor(s) have access to a suitable basking area. If adequate husbandry in other areas is not met, serious problems can arise as a result of under/over feeding.

I suggest you forget what you think you know about monitor husbandry and read over the Captive faq again with a very open mind. It know it took me a while to get in the right frame of mind regarding monitor husbandry (2 years) and I'm still learning too. Monitors aren't like anything else, and knowledge and experience of snakes/geckos/turtles/tortoises can only hinder the proper approtch to Varanids.

Contact me when you are ready, for availability. I can't predict the future (though sometimes I try ;)).