To keep in groups, or not to keep in groups..

[Pirarucu]

I'm interested in hearing different opinions on this. Given the choice to do so safely, do you prefer to keep monitors on their own, or in groups, and why? For those in favor of keeping them in groups, would you keep them singly if that was the only option, or would you hold off?

[Lankyrob]

When i have the space and funds i plan on a pair :)

[BarelyBreathing]

I prefer to keep in groups. Behavior is much more interesting when they have something to behave towards.

[Pirarucu]

Apart from the behavior and mental stimulation, are there other reasons? Has anyone noticed monitors being healthier when kept together?

[BarelyBreathing]

No, I haven't noticed that.

[Pirarucu]

Thank you. Anything else?

[BarelyBreathing]

If you keep them in pairs of groups, just make sure you are able to monitor the food intake of all the animals. It's easy for one to become dominant and take over the food situation, as well as stress the others out.

[infernalis]

After witnessing both ways with my own eyes, I would prefer to (when safely done) keep in pairs.

More so for the sake of mental stimulation.

Life in a box has to be boring for such brilliant animals, and as long as they are not injuring one another, I see no harm.

Feeding is critical, since food response is so strong, they can and will battle over who gets the larger portions.

[War Machine]

I wish I had the space to keep a pair of albigs together. Though not Varanid experience, My geckos and Water dragons are kept together, and its much more rewarding and entertaining.

[Lankyrob]

I plan to have two "feeding tubes" where there is an "airlock" to allow the two monitors access to individual areas so that they can be fed separately. I intend to target train them so that they can easily be put into these areas if i need access to their "enclosure" for cleaning/maintenance.

I will also chuck handfuls of cockroaches into the enclosure along with earthworns and other creepy crawlies to keep their hunting instints intact but plan that the "hunted" prey will be single mouthfuls so that there should be no fighting over the same item.

Hope this makes sense :)

[infernalis]

I plan to have two "feeding tubes" where there is an "airlock" to allow the two monitors access to individual areas so that they can be fed separately. I intend to target train them so that they can easily be put into these areas if i need access to their "enclosure" for cleaning/maintenance.

I will also chuck handfuls of cockroaches into the enclosure along with earthworns and other creepy crawlies to keep their hunting instints intact but plan that the "hunted" prey will be single mouthfuls so that there should be no fighting over the same item.

Hope this makes sense :)

Makes sense Rob, but I have to share an experience here based on what you said.

I dumped 100 crickets into my enclosure hoping to stimulate the lizards, they went into feeding mode and started fighting.

even with 99 other crickets to chose from, they both wanted the same one.

[Gungirl]

You almost need to build the cage with a drop down divider in the middle of it. That way when you want to let them hunt food you can simple divide the cage into 2 pieces. For a good size cage a simple garage door unit could work with some modification. :)

[Lankyrob]

Makes sense Rob, but I have to share an experience here based on what you said.

I dumped 100 crickets into my enclosure hoping to stimulate the lizards, they went into feeding mode and started fighting.

even with 99 other crickets to chose from, they both wanted the same one.


Lol - sounds about right ;)

[Lankyrob]

You almost need to build the cage with a drop down divider in the middle of it. That way when you want to let them hunt food you can simple divide the cage into 2 pieces. For a good size cage a simple garage door unit could work with some modification. :)


What about the burrows tho?

[Gungirl]

Where the door would reach the floor you could also have a divider permanently placed in the dirt. I don't think that would cause any issue..

[infernalis]

Where the door would reach the floor you could also have a divider permanently placed in the dirt. I don't think that would cause any issue..

that would depend, I have a pretty good idea what the burrow network must be like inside my cage based on seeing for instance Littlefoot enter in the far right hand side and exit a couple minutes later on the opposite side of the cage.

they have a whole system of tunnels going on, complete with "emergency exits" that can be busted through quickly.

[Gungirl]

I am thinking about a "cage" 12' or 14' square..

I get what you are saying Wayne but I still think for the safety of the monitors it would be ok to have that divider in the middle. Maybe I am mistaken but in a larger cage/room It shouldn't affect as much as it would in a smaller cage.

[infernalis]

have a look at Phillip's awesome setup

http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/varanid/97932-few-pictures-my-varanus-sp-collection.html#post813238

That sky bridge is awesome.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/386972_333375296768724_765518769_n.jpg

[BarelyBreathing]

Makes sense Rob, but I have to share an experience here based on what you said.

I dumped 100 crickets into my enclosure hoping to stimulate the lizards, they went into feeding mode and started fighting.

even with 99 other crickets to chose from, they both wanted the same one.


You know, thinking about it I've only had this problem with my doreanus. I keep food in my enclosures pretty much 100% of the time, and I haven't noticed any fighting. I've had some tugging and eating the same food, but no actual fighting.