Another stupid housing question

[boosh96]

Originally Posted by murrindindi

Well done for realising this is a long term commitment and not just rushing in. I hope one day in the not too distant future you will keep Varanids, I`m sure you`ll be a very resposible owner!

Thanks! I can't describe how badly I want to keep Varanids or Tegus. My dream lizard is an Asian water monitor, a Blackthroat, and/or a Croc monitor.

[smy_749]

Originally Posted by boosh96

Thanks! I can't describe how badly I want to keep Varanids or Tegus. My dream lizard is an Asian water monitor, a Blackthroat, and/or a Croc monitor.

Croc monitors are a bad idea imho. Massive teeth, massive claws, lightning fast, and huge. One slip up or bad day and you may lose feeling in your hand completely, or a few fingers...

[boosh96]

I know that Croc monitors are a bad idea. And as amazing as they are, I don't think I'll ever own one.

[Pirarucu]

Originally Posted by smy_749

Croc monitors are a bad idea imho. Massive teeth, massive claws, lightning fast, and huge. One slip up or bad day and you may lose feeling in your hand completely, or a few fingers...

I would say they are a bad idea for someone who doesn't know what they're doing and doesn't have an enclosure and proper safety procedures for working with such an animal. With such a large and fast animal, you really ought to have a way to feed from outside the enclosure, as well as a separate holding area where the monitor can be confined while you enter the enclosure. If a keeper chooses not to do those things then that's on them, but I personally would not keep them without those things. I know how fast and potentially dangerous they can be and while they are beautiful and fascinating monitors, they command a lot of respect.

[boosh96]

Okay, so I was posting on the Varanus.net forums around the same time I posted on this thread, and I was told that stock tanks are just fine as far as you don't have to worry about stressing the monitor. They said that thousands of monitors over the years have been raised and still did well with stock tanks. Any thoughts? I'm thinking I MIGHT be able to manage an Ackie or two. Just maybe. Naturally I'd have to see if family/friends would be willing to step in to care for the monitor(s) when I go to college, go out of town, and stuff like that. If it doesn't work out then I'll just wait.

[franks]

Originally Posted by smy_749

With the right level of modification you could probably turn your couch or big screen TV into a cage too :P

You are not as far-fetched as you may think... My wife wants me to make our guest bed into an enclosure for my savanah monitor.

@ the op. I have a stock tank that I have modified to temporarily house a monitor, but it really is not ideal. No matter what you try to do, you cannot get a stock tank to have room for 18" of substrate.

[boosh96]

Originally Posted by franks

You are not as far-fetched as you may think... My wife wants me to make our guest bed into an enclosure for my savanah monitor.

@ the op. I have a stock tank that I have modified to temporarily house a monitor, but it really is not ideal. No matter what you try to do, you cannot get a stock tank to have room for 18" of substrate.

I'm sorry but I thought Ackies needed 12" of substrate? If they need more I'll trash the stock tank plan.

[Toothless]

I thought the general rule for substrate depth was usually half the total length? I think ackies get approx 2 feet so wouldn't that mean 12 inches of substrate- please someone correct me if I'm wrong?

[smy_749]

Originally Posted by Toothless

I thought the general rule for substrate depth was usually half the total length? I think ackies get approx 2 feet so wouldn't that mean 12 inches of substrate- please someone correct me if I'm wrong?

Its all speculation. If you put 4 feet they might use it all too....If you put 12 inches or 18 they may do just fine and dandy. Like I said earlier, 2 feet is just what people use and see good results, its not the do or die number. Just remember it doesn't hurt to provide too much, but it does to provide not enough, so trying not to provide the "minimal requirement" is your safe bet.

[smy_749]

Originally Posted by Pirarucu

I would say they are a bad idea for someone who doesn't know what they're doing and doesn't have an enclosure and proper safety procedures for working with such an animal. With such a large and fast animal, you really ought to have a way to feed from outside the enclosure, as well as a separate holding area where the monitor can be confined while you enter the enclosure. If a keeper chooses not to do those things then that's on them, but I personally would not keep them without those things. I know how fast and potentially dangerous they can be and while they are beautiful and fascinating monitors, they command a lot of respect.

I guess I was talking about as a 'pet lizard'. Someone seriously into monitors who is going to observe behavior and whatever, fine. But the risks still out weigh the benefits in my opinion. I think even the most experienced keepers wil l have a difficult time with a determined salvadorii if he decides to make for the door, or doesn't want to have his cage cleaned :P

[Pirarucu]

Originally Posted by smy_749

I guess I was talking about as a 'pet lizard'. Someone seriously into monitors who is going to observe behavior and whatever, fine. But the risks still out weigh the benefits in my opinion. I think even the most experienced keepers wil l have a difficult time with a determined salvadorii if he decides to make for the door, or doesn't want to have his cage cleaned :P

Hence the holding pen which he would go into and which would be sealed while the keeper entered the cage. Most zoos use systems like this for large or dangerous animals, the idea is that the animal is always confined to a space other than where the keeper is.

[Pirarucu]

Twelve inches is fine for ackies, that is their average burrow/nest depth in the wild. A metal horse trough or stock bin ought to be perfectly capable of holding that much or more. I know of people with a good eighteen inches of dirt in stock tanks with ackies, and in general they will use it but not as often, judging by the depth at which eggs were usually buried.
If you really want to be thorough, just pile it up higher on one side.

[boosh96]

What's the best method of heating/sealing a stock tank? What number/type of lights should I use and what should I use to seal the cage? Also, my understanding is that Ackies need ambient humidity as well as humid burrows-is that correct?

[Pirarucu]

Originally Posted by boosh96

What's the best method of heating/sealing a stock tank? What number/type of lights should I use and what should I use to seal the cage? Also, my understanding is that Ackies need ambient humidity as well as humid burrows-is that correct?

You can use sealed plywood or plexiglass for the lid, for heating you want a couple halogen flood bulbs, around 50 watts or so, maybe 60.
I am not sure whether they need ambient humidity as high as other species do, but they certainly are more active and spend less time in their burrows when it is provided. It may also depend on which subspecies you are looking at. Yellows come from a somewhat more arid region, while reds are significantly closer to the equator.

[smy_749]

Originally Posted by Pirarucu

You can use sealed plywood or plexiglass for the lid, for heating you want a couple halogen flood bulbs, around 50 watts or so, maybe 60.
I am not sure whether they need ambient humidity as high as other species do, but they certainly are more active and spend less time in their burrows when it is provided. It may also depend on which subspecies you are looking at. Yellows come from a somewhat more arid region, while reds are significantly closer to the equator.

According to FR (I know I know) they like it dry and arid, with a place to retreat for humidity. Just thought I'd say that because I remembered it from the few days I was on their forums.