finding the perfect monitor

[moshirimon]

Hey guy, not really planning on rushing into a monitor anytime soon, but have been researching them for years on and off. i would like to possibly get into them (not sure when) and although i have done tons of research i feel it be best to ask experienced varanid keepers. I was just looking for some suggestions of monitors that: don't stay too small and do not require HIGH humidity.

the monitor i am most interested in at this moment is the savannah monitor, size wise. but there is SO MUCH debating when it comes to their care!!

anyway i would like some response, and remember i am in no rush to buy one, and i am not even 100% sure whether it will even happen or not, but i'd love some discussion.:freakedout:

[Pirarucu]

Savannahs need high humidity, but it's easy to achieve..
Truth be told, the setup for most monitors will be quite similar, the biggest variation is size and whether they need tons of stuff to climb on.

[BarelyBreathing]

What about a black throat or a white throat?

[Gatorhunter1231]

How about you give us the maximum cage dimension size you are willing to do and we will help you go from there. Argus monitors are cb more often over savs, highly active, and freakin tripod ;)

[moshirimon]

Yes Piraruca I believe your right, and that's what I ment about their care being so debatable. Some would say it's a desert species (local petstores for me), but I read that they recently found out they thrive much better in a high humidity environment.

And BB I LOVE black throats and white throats. Probably my FAVOURITE monitor in appearence. Those things grow MASSIVE!!

[infernalis]

How about you give us the maximum cage dimension size you are willing to do and we will help you go from there. Argus monitors are cb more often over savs, highly active, and freakin tripod ;)


Yeah, and........

http://www.savannahmonitor.net/Cera/tripod.jpg

[BeardedDee]

Yeah, and........

http://www.savannahmonitor.net/Cera/tripod.jpg
Haha nice one! but Argus tripod for reasons other than food ;)

[Pirarucu]

Argus was my first thought as well. Honestly I think a lot of monitors are capable of tripoding, just some do it more often than others, and some only do it regularly when food is involved.
I saw a video of a large nile tripoding a while back, and I don't think food was involved.

[Rudiman]

You will need plenty of room, electricity, and a food budget. Even for a moderate size monitor. Finding a vet that deals with monitors can be very hard, and somewhat expensive. Plus tons of reading and research on your particular species.

Scott

[Pirarucu]

Here's the video I mentioned, the tripod is at 10:20.

Mans Best Friend - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZEYSyh_ZRk)

[Gatorhunter1231]

Argus tripod is different the standing for food. My crocs, ackies, and tristis have all stood on hind legs for food, reaching to climb, or few a few seconds just becauseq. I heard argus will do it for 15+mins. A good question for Dave to answer. They do it to scope out there surrounding.

[infernalis]

Argus tripod is different the standing for food. My crocs, ackies, and tristis have all stood on hind legs for food, reaching to climb, or few a few seconds just becauseq. I heard argus will do it for 15+mins. A good question for Dave to answer. They do it to scope out there surrounding.

I believe you are correct...


http://gondwanareptileproductions.com/vprubidus.jpg

http://71.18.4.194/images/ATR-2008/AusTripRep-035.JPG

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1339/1470896069_2b8dc1b37d.jpg

http://www.abakus-edv-systems.de/Wiechmann/images/Varanus_panoptes_Weib2_Apr2008.jpg

[moshirimon]

Yes I was reading about argus as well. I like their size, and care also the fact that they can be fed rodents more so than a savannah. Some some correct me if I'm wrong??

Anyway the budget and space is not a problem for me but the whole vet thing might be. I will have to ask around.

Anyway I love their slender appearence and although I have seen video of many docile individuals, I remember a few years back my local reptile store had one labelled as a "yellow monitor" which I believe is another name for them, and they told me that he was evil lol. More of a food aggression thing, and constantly being on the prowl for food. I have also read that they can be bottomless pits. What are the chances of ending up with one like that?

[Little Wise Owl]

I don't have any personal experience with monitors but I would go with an Argus if I were you. :P I've always wanted one because they seem so unique.

[Gatorhunter1231]

Any monitor can be evil. I have seen evil ackies. Argus are know for their crazy feeding response and active nature. Jack russel terrier of the monitor world is what most relate them to lol. I just know it is easier to find them Cbb which I'd always a plus. I have nothing against savs just don't like supporting the wc import market. You can fin a few Cbb savs and Wayne could help you in that direction but I would guess the few out there breeding savs have a waiting list.

[Gatorhunter1231]

@ Wayne. Those bottom two pics are from shays or shane's argus pics. pretty cool to see them doing it in captivity.

[BeardedDee]

Great examples Wayne, they can look up,down and around in this pose.

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm312/badmangaz/Argus%20CBB%2011/DSCF0830.jpg
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm312/badmangaz/Argus%20CBB%2011/DSCF0324.jpg

[Pirarucu]

Argus tripod is different the standing for food. My crocs, ackies, and tristis have all stood on hind legs for food, reaching to climb, or few a few seconds just becauseq. I heard argus will do it for 15+mins. A good question for Dave to answer. They do it to scope out there surrounding.I agree. I'm just saying that other monitors are capable of standing for food, so if they wanted to, they should be physically capable of doing it to look around like an argus. They almost never do, but I'm just saying they should be capable in theory.

[h3h]

Screw it, lizards are cool.

- h3

[varanus_mad]

I agree. I'm just saying that other monitors are capable of standing for food, so if they wanted to, they should be physically capable of doing it to look around like an argus. They almost never do, but I'm just saying they should be capable in theory.


i strongly disagree im yet to see another monitor tripod as easily as an argus invariably they always fall over after 30s or so they dont seem to be built right to tripod for long periods.

[Pirarucu]

I agree, most are not built as well for it as the argus. However, most only tripod when going after food, so they are trying to lunge and grab the food.. However, if they were attempting to tripod to look around, I'm confident many species would be able to stand up longer. Probably not as long as an argus of course.

[millertime89]

Any pet store telling you Savannahs are desert monitors should not be selling them.

I believe Yellow monitors are also called Quince monitors. Cool little monitors, supposed to top out around 4 feet or so.

[infernalis]

I agree. I'm just saying that other monitors are capable of standing for food, so if they wanted to, they should be physically capable of doing it to look around like an argus. They almost never do, but I'm just saying they should be capable in theory.

There was no food, I was fiddling with the camera, Littlefoot stood up like this long enough for me to react and take a picture. He was just looking out at what I was doing.


http://www.varanid.us/LF/meerkat.jpg

[DiscoPat]

There was no food, I was fiddling with the camera, Littlefoot stood up like this long enough for me to react and take a picture. He was just looking out at what I was doing.


http://www.varanid.us/LF/meerkat.jpg


Steve does that whenever he sees me come in if he hasn't eaten that day

[Pirarucu]

There was no food, I was fiddling with the camera, Littlefoot stood up like this long enough for me to react and take a picture. He was just looking out at what I was doing.


http://www.varanid.us/LF/meerkat.jpgThat is indeed one instance that comes to mind, along with the nile that I posted.

[Gatorhunter1231]

Nice pic Wayne. I have seen many species tripod as I stated earlier. Sometimes for food, reaching for a better vantage point, a quick look, etc. It just looks forced for most species. An argus looks like he can hang out like that forver. They have long necks, beefy musclar legs, elongated body, and a nice balance point. There are a few others out there but are not normally kept. Flavirus is one that is good at it but do it a lot less then Argus.

[varanus_mad]

From what i can tell a lot of species tripod early when young but seem to stop as they get older.