random photographs

[crocdoc]

My lace monitors have finally been warmed up for spring, a month later than usual.

I had a number of things I needed to do with the enclosure before I warmed them up, such as repairs to the mock rock, replace all of the climbing logs with fresh new ones (the bark gets worn off by the male) and, most importantly, some crucial changes to the nest box as the female attacked the conduit protecting all of the wiring, last nesting season. These repairs were meant to have been done in winter, but in August I landed a big project that has me commuting between Australia and Singapore, so I wasn't able to sort these things out for another month.

I'll start with some photographs that explain the need for a rewiring of the nest box and a new conduit. These photographs were taken a year ago (last October) when NeLiSh, the female, was nesting and decided that the conduit was something that shouldn't be there and needed to be removed, pronto. The gaffer tape on the conduit was there to conceal the damage she had done previously.

It started with a nose nudge and an evil stare:
http://www.pbase.com/crocdoc/image/139207852.jpg
Then a close examination from a few different angles:
http://www.pbase.com/crocdoc/image/139207853.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/crocdoc/image/139207858.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/crocdoc/image/139207848.jpg
Maybe see if it can be scratched off:
http://www.pbase.com/crocdoc/image/139207851.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/crocdoc/image/139207859.jpg
Then the full on attack:
http://www.pbase.com/crocdoc/image/139207849.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/crocdoc/image/139207860.jpg

[crocdoc]

Photographs from this week.

The tidy new conduit
http://www.pbase.com/crocdoc/image/146792295.jpg
Repaired rockwork and new logs. This is a typical 'lazy afternoon' shot. For scale, the animal on the diagonal log is just shy of 1.8 metres (6 feet)
http://www.pbase.com/crocdoc/image/146792294.jpg
That's him at the top of the rock in the distance, female on the ground.
http://www.pbase.com/crocdoc/image/146792296.jpg
NeLiSh, the female:
http://www.pbase.com/crocdoc/image/146791966.jpg
Alex, the male:
http://www.pbase.com/crocdoc/image/146791976.jpg

[infernalis]

Awesome pictures. The first 8 are my favourite.

[AjaMichelle]

I love them!!! :) They have such an awesome home and are so well-supported! If only all captive specimens could be so lucky! :) Thanks for sharing!

[Gatorhunter1231]

Looking good dave

[Pirarucu]

LOL, that is funny. The setup is truly spectacular.

[Aanayab1]

Simply beautiful, both monitors and cage.

[jhinton6932]

that is a superb enclosure. can you tell me what your doing with the nextbox (substrate, humidity, temp)? im not familiar with lacies i dont even think we have them over here in the US.

[Gatorhunter1231]

We have a few Lacies floating around.

[infernalis]

We have a few Lacies floating around.

A new pair of bell phase just entered the country a few months ago.

[jhinton6932]

are they going to zoos or private collections?

[infernalis]

this pair went to the private sector. I know nothing more.

[jhinton6932]

thats pretty cool news i didnt know that. get some CBB for the lacie fans in us eh? not i though lol maybe in 10 years i always thought they were pretty

[Gungirl]

That enclosure looks amazing. Thanks for sharing pics!

[MoreliAddict]

That enclosure is amazing. Major props. http://www.lilwaynehq.com/forums/images/smilies/worship.gif

Nice looking monitors, too.

[Pirarucu]

thats pretty cool news i didnt know that. get some CBB for the lacie fans in us eh? not i though lol maybe in 10 years i always thought they were prettySquamata Concepts brought them in, not sure what happened to them. Maybe sold, maybe kept for breeding. I heard rumors that they were selling for $25,000 for the pair, but I never saw SC actually say that.

[millertime89]

Awesome pictures! Thanks for sharing, I love seeing her attack the conduit.

Wayne, I that's fantastic news! Here's hoping we start seeing more over here. They pop up every so often but just not in the numbers I would expect for such a stunning species.

[Gatorhunter1231]

Maybe Greg will drop in and inform us. I remember John talking about them but not sure what happen.

[crocdoc]

Thanks, everyone!

can you tell me what your doing with the nextbox (substrate, humidity, temp)? im not familiar with lacies i dont even think we have them over here in the US.
Lace monitors nest in termite mounds in the wild, so the nest box mimics the size, security, temperature and humidity of the termite mounds they nest in.

The nestbox is full to the brim with tightly packed coco-peat (coconut coir). There's a home-made goanna-proof heat mat at the bottom which keeps the substrate at a temperature gradient centered at around 30C. The temperature on the thermometer is the temperature at the heat mat itself, so mid substrate it is around 30C
http://www.pbase.com/crocdoc/image/141480810.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/crocdoc/image/115427022.jpg

This particular female has been using the same nest box for around ten years.
http://www.pbase.com/crocdoc/image/140080525.jpg

[jhinton6932]

they are stunning! good to hear some are coming to the US. i have yet to see one in person but i'd imagine they are quite handsome :)

[BarelyBreathing]

I love it, crocdoc. Thanks for posting.

[crocdoc]

Alex showing his inimitable caveman style while giving NeLiSh the old "how YOU doin'?" tongue-flick. Using his big meaty paw to hold her head down. Love your work, Alex, very tasteful:
http://www.pbase.com/crocdoc/image/146824841.jpg

Being a bit more gentle:
http://www.pbase.com/crocdoc/image/146824925.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/crocdoc/image/146824919.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/crocdoc/image/146824926.jpg

[jhinton6932]

for being the kings of the reptile world, varanids can be so gentle too. these are beautiful pics :)

[iBaman]

Lizard kisses!!

[AjaMichelle]

Gorgeous! :)