Dreaming of Ackies!

[Lankyrob]

If you get pre-sexed animals how many of one sex could be kept together providing enough space was given?

So in an 8x4x4

Or

10x4x4?

Jsut curious if we didnt want breeding to occur coud more be kept safely?

[murrindindi]

Originally Posted by Lankyrob

If you get pre-sexed animals how many of one sex could be kept together providing enough space was given?

So in an 8x4x4

Or

10x4x4?

Jsut curious if we didnt want breeding to occur coud more be kept safely?

Hi, this is just a question not a criticism; why would you want to keep a group of monitors together and deny them the opportunity to breed at some point?
Captive breeding is the MINIMUM we should be able to offer/achieve if keeping more than one animal, considering so few people are successful with many species, compared to the numbers of these animals (Varanids) that are in the hobby and taken from the wild, though obviously not V. acanthurus (legally, at least).

[Lankyrob]

Originally Posted by murrindindi

Hi, this is just a question not a criticism; why would you want to keep a group of monitors together and deny them the opportunity to breed at some point?
Captive breeding is the MINIMUM we should be able to offer/achieve if keeping more than one animal, considering so few people are successful with many species, compared to the numbers of these animals (Varanids) that are in the hobby and taken from the wild, though obviously not V. acanthurus (legally, at least).

I have no want or need to increase the number of animals being kept in sub par conditions or being passed around like collecting cards.

[murrindindi]

Originally Posted by Lankyrob

I have no want or need to increase the number of animals being kept in sub par conditions or being passed around like collecting cards.

In that case I hope you decide not to get a group of monitors of the same species (that`s not sarcasm, just my personal opinion).

[Lankyrob]

Originally Posted by murrindindi

In that case I hope you decide not to get a group of monitors of the same species (that`s not sarcasm, just my personal opinion).

Can you explain why?

[Mikoh4792]

If you keep them together won't they breed anyways? Or do you need to brumate them?

[smy_749]

Originally Posted by Lankyrob

Can you explain why?

I think he was hinting at the fact that they are difficult to sex, and extremely prolific so getting a group, you will inevitably end up with some babies.

[smy_749]

Originally Posted by Mikoh4792

If you keep them together won't they breed anyways? Or do you need to brumate them?

You don't need to brumate. Just 'heat em and feed em' as a certain keeper would say...

[Pirarucu]

Originally Posted by murrindindi

In that case I hope you decide not to get a group of monitors of the same species (that`s not sarcasm, just my personal opinion).

Out of curiosity, what is the reasoning behind this? Even if they were not able to breed, they would be no worse off than an animal kept alone. Multiple animals sharing the enclosure would still allow many other natural behaviors and provide a lot of mental stimulation that they would not otherwise have, even without the ability to breed.

[Lankyrob]

Originally Posted by Pirarucu

Out of curiosity, what is the reasoning behind this? Even if they were not able to breed, they would be no worse off than an animal kept alone. Multiple animals sharing the enclosure would still allow many other natural behaviors and provide a lot of mental stimulation that they would not otherwise have, even without the ability to breed.

This ^^^^

[B_Aller]

Just let em breed and lay in the cage and don't dig up the eggs. 9 times out of 10 you'll not get any babies. I've frozen almost every clutch I've gotten for the last 6 years or so, just cause I don't want to deal with selling. Do have some in the incubator going now though.

[Lankyrob]

Originally Posted by murrindindi

In that case I hope you decide not to get a group of monitors of the same species (that`s not sarcasm, just my personal opinion).

Bumping the thread to see if we get an explanation as to why?

[murrindindi]

Originally Posted by Lankyrob

Bumping the thread to see if we get an explanation as to why?

Hi again, I actually believe that you would make a fine keeper, you clearly want to find out as much as possible before acquiring the animals (that`s something of a novelty much of the time) and do the best you can "up to a point".
If these were Bearded dragons or similar, where thousands upon thousands are being bred I could understand your reluctance to want to add to those numbers, the fact is that very FEW people worlwide are successfully breeding Varanids of any species over long periods, therefore cbb animals can be extremely difficul to obtain.
From what I see around the forums, V. acanthurus is in quite high demand (there are waiting lists for prospective buyers), and the relatively high prices compared to wild caught species such as Savannah, Nile, etc seems likely to put off most "impulse" buyers.
I think you would learn so much about these animals if you successfully bred them (even once), you could pass on the knowledge and experienced gained to others.
I think it`s a little strange that you would encourage other people to breed them so you can buy them and deliberatley not try?
I hope I explained that clearly, it`s obviously YOUR decision!

[Lankyrob]

Originally Posted by murrindindi

Hi again, I actually believe that you would make a fine keeper, you clearly want to find out as much as possible before acquiring the animals (that`s something of a novelty much of the time) and do the best you can "up to a point".
If these were Bearded dragons or similar, where thousands upon thousands are being bred I could understand your reluctance to want to add to those numbers, the fact is that very FEW people worlwide are successfully breeding Varanids of any species over long periods, therefore cbb animals can be extremely difficul to obtain.
From what I see around the forums, V. acanthurus is in quite high demand (there are waiting lists for prospective buyers), and the relatively high prices compared to wild caught species such as Savannah, Nile, etc seems likely to put off most "impulse" buyers.
I think you would learn so much about these animals if you successfully bred them (even once), you could pass on the knowledge and experienced gained to others.
I think it`s a little strange that you would encourage other people to breed them so you can buy them and deliberatley not try?
I hope I explained that clearly, it`s obviously YOUR decision!

Thank you, i understand your view now.

My main restraint in this hobby is my health, i habe multiple disabilities that restrict me physically. Having a setup that is bioactive and needs minimal maintenance is the only way i can possible keep any monitor species. In my head breeding and then incubating the eggs, caring for teh hatchlings and then finding buyers taht will look after them properly is too much for me to manage without lessening the level of care that all of the animals will receive.

If it is a case of letting them do their business naturally and leaving the eggs to incubate naturally and then just separating the hatchlings for selling then this wouldnt be such an issue.