tree monitors

[K1LOS]

Hey,

I'm looking into either green or black tree monitors. Just curious on the recommended enclosure size for them? Is it possible to house in pairs or will that not work? Can anybody point me in the direction of some good caresheets and research resources? I won't be getting them for another year or so, so there is plenty of time for research! Thanks a lot

Geoff

[crocdoc]

The best person to speak to would be Bob (he posts as Odatriad or treevaranus), but looking at your list of species I see that this will possibly be your first monitor? If so, probably not the best choice.

[K1LOS]

Well, i kind of want the challenge. I don't think ackies are going to be challenging at all, are they?

[BoidsUnlimited]

Savannas are cool:)

[K1LOS]

hmmm... i already have a room full of reptiles, i don't really have the space for an enclosure to properly house a savanah. And i already have a vertically oriented cage for tree monitors. Croc, if you are telling me you think they are TOO much of a challenge and that i'd likely fail, i will reconsider. The last thing i want is to lose a monitor because i was too ambitious. But i am pretty good at getting ALL the research done before hand, and having the cage perfect before i even get the animal.

Geoff

[treevaranus]

As a keeper of tree monitors, i would have to agree with what DK has just said. In my experience, tree monitors are probably the most difficult complex of monitors to keep alive and healthy. Because they do not have the same mass as say, a savanah, or a water monitor, etc.., it is very easy for them to dehydrate quickly, especially females. It is unfortunate to see the volume of keepers who do not do their homework before jumping into tree monitor ownership, as I would say that probably 80% of the animals bought end up dying well within the first year.

They require a lot of time and effort in order to keep them going strong and healthy. Keep in mind that these are all wild caught animals, who stress out very easily. In my opinion, I would highly recommend going with a captive bred species, such as an ackie, freckled, blackhead, storr's, or kimberly.. These species all stay relatively small, and do not require a large area. But I would definately recommend you search the archives of the many monitor forums on the net, and look at the problems many people come to address with tree monitors..

If you are set on a tree monitor regardless, I would definately recommend you get a male, as males are less likely to be as problematic as most females, not to mention much stronger than the females(can withstand a bit more neglect-however, not much..).

Cheers, I hope this gives you some kind of an idea of what youd be getting yourself into.. Do you have any specific questions pertaining to tree monitors? Perhaps i could be of better help to you then...

take care,

bob

[crocdoc]

Originally posted by K1LOS
Croc, if you are telling me you think they are TOO much of a challenge and that i'd likely fail, i will reconsider. The last thing i want is to lose a monitor because i was too ambitious. But i am pretty good at getting ALL the research done before hand, and having the cage perfect before i even get the animal.

Geoff

The first thing you'll have to learn about monitors is that your cage is never perfect and even thinking it is can be dangerous. Kilos, I'm not knocking your keeping skills and have no doubts you'd look after the animal. What I am concerned about is wildcaught species that have rarely been bred in captivity being bought by people without the necessary experience with monitors to be able to breed them. It's a one way ticket for those animals, even if they live a long time under your care. If they don't breed, they aren't contributing to the captive population and the importers will keep bringing them in to replace them.

If you get a captive bred species, they'll be just as entertaining and interesting, but you'll be making a more ecologically sound decision. Monitors are a challenge enough on their own, compared to other reptiles, without having to pick a challenging species.

[K1LOS]

Well, i'm going to have to consider a lot of things then. I have really wanted that beccari for a few years now. I have no interest in getting a sav. Ackies would be okay but i would want a few of them and can't provide that kind of floor space. You are ruling out ALL tree monitors then? or just beccari and prasinus?What are some other monitor species that stay smaller, maybe the next step up from ackies. Thanks

Geoff

[crocdoc]

how about something like V tristis? Or, if you are really keen on a bit of a challenge, V glauerti.

[kap10cavy]

Good idea Doc, get a pair of glauerti and try breeding, if you want a challenge, there it is.

Scott

[mbayless]

Hi,
In addition to these animals being very difficult to keep long term in captivity without illness/death of these beautiful animals, the research involved to understand these specialized animals is not forth-coming, and not found using ordinary methods of reading 'monitor books' = it encompasses a great deal of more thorough search...but as Odatriad has said, dehydration is your greatest nemesis when working with this species complex....

good luck,
mbayless

[K1LOS]

is dehydration more of an issue in this complex then it is with chameleons? Speaking of books, Can anyone recommend some good monitor books? I get a few books every year for xmas, figured i should ask for something i would actually read!


Geoff

[mbayless]

Yes, chameleons do dehydrate alot...but perhaps more so for V. prasinus.

Books: Daniel Bennett's book "Monitor Lizards" Chimeira Press.; Matt Vincent's book, "Goannas"; Eric Pianka, Dennis King and Ruth King book "Varanoid lizards of the WOrld" gives an ok overview (2004).
If you are serious about tree monitors, go find the few books on tree pythons of New Guinea as they apply directly to V. prasinus as well... different reptile and food, but essentially the same husbandry required.

cheers,
markb

[crocdoc]

You forgot King and Green's book on monitors: Monitors. The Biology of Varanid Lizards (2nd edition). Dennis King and Brian Green

[mbayless]

I sure did - that is a good one DK.

markb

[treevaranus]

What about Sprackland's book???hahahahahahahahahaha....

[mbayless]

Ho Bob,
Although Robert Sprackland has written some 'interesting' materials on tree varanids, in his articles - not books, his books are a good source of photos....and I think he has a few more books in prep on monitors, and always look forward to reading them in any event.

Although his take on varanids is not appreciated by some (pianka, FaRt, and others), it does contribute to the wealth of knowledge we have on Varanidae; remember all books by the time they are published are usually already antiquated for their content, which usually leave the photos to be desired to review.

cheers,
markb

[Kimo]

looking over just few Internet sources for this species, i am curious if you could tackle the Dehydration problems that seem to be frequent among this species, the same as say..Corallus Caninus (Emerald Tree Boas) aside from the Temperature difference, i found alot of the same husbandry is required ie. High Humidity...any thoughts? I'm eager to learn about this paticular species aswell.

Josh

[mbayless]

Hi Josh,
In my opininon, emerald tree snakes and tree monitors live in the same habitats, environment, islands, so their overall general husbandry would/could be the same, and as their is a good deal more info on the snakes than the tree monitors, although if you know where to look, and how to look, you can find a good deal of general info on them, see Harry Greene papers for starters, and the general lay-person sporackland articles in Tropical Fish Hobbyisy magazines and alike...
Your on the right track!
markb