My first monitor.. Varanus tristis orientalis (freckled monitor)

SnakeyJay · 05-03-14, 06:03 AM

Hi, after a couple of years of considering it I've finally decided to join the varanid world. I wanted a small monitor due to lack of room to house a sav properly so it was always ackies that I considered..

Well I came across some 6 month old speckled monitors and was fascinated with them. I got a good deal on price so me and my gf decided to make the jump.

I'm so glad I did, and will try to provide the best for this little guy..

Atm he's in a 4ftx1.5x1.5.. 2-3 inch of soil/sand at front built upto 6inch at the back.. 120-130 basking spot down to 76-80 cold end.. 50-80% humidity depending where you measure it.

I'm in the process of finding someone to build me a custom viv 3ftx2ft base and 5ft or so high.. That way I can offer 1.5ft of soil and decent climbing areas, within a planted vivarium..

He is very active and jumps around everywhere. He can also hold his body weight on his tail alone so I'm taking this as a good sign of health so far.

Any tips or advice is always welcome along with constructive criticism

I'm sure you'll want pics so here he is along with the (very temporary) setup.

SnakeyJay · 05-03-14, 06:04 AM

Phone will only let me post one pic a time..

SnakeyJay · 05-03-14, 06:05 AM

...........

marvelfreak · 05-03-14, 06:11 AM

Sweet looking little guy.

SnakeyJay · 05-03-14, 06:12 AM

Thanks mate, I'm fascinated by the little guy

smy_749 · 05-03-14, 08:31 AM

Hey Jay, welcome to the odatria world

If you have a confirmed male you won't need 1.5 feet of soil. I'm not sure if you are sure on sex or not, but if you are and not planning to pair him up, you can get away with much less than that. He won't use it for burrowing most likely as the tristis monitor group are not much of burrowers.

SnakeyJay · 05-03-14, 08:39 AM

I've noticed he's not burrowing much atm, is it worth keeping the soil for humidity etc ?

Not sure on the sex mate, and I don't plan to pair him... Got enough to learn on care, let alone breeding

smy_749 · 05-03-14, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snakey-Jay

I've noticed he's not burrowing much atm, is it worth keeping the soil for humidity etc ?

Not sure on the sex mate, and I don't plan to pair him... Got enough to learn on care, let alone breeding

If your not sure on sex, then its a good idea to keep the soil into adult hood. If he pops for you and you are sure, you won't need it. 1.5 Feet of substrate in a sealed enclosure is going to keep the humidity close to 100% especially in a planted viv (he will probably destroy them all) and fogged glass with adequate heat...I'm not convinced they need that much humidity all the time.

SnakeyJay · 05-03-14, 09:27 AM

It is quite humid in there already with only a few inches of sand/soil.. He's scratching at the glass often... is this normal curiosity and escapism or a sign there's something wrong?

smy_749 · 05-03-14, 09:33 AM

Could be either honestly. If hes acting normal, basking, exploring, hanging out and doing typical monitor things, and scratching at the glass, than Id say its normal. If hes always on the glass something could be wrong. Maybe add a few cork tubes / more hide spots.

smy_749 · 05-03-14, 09:34 AM

Looking again at the enclosure, I would go outside and grab a ton more branches, 1 inch diameter or thicker, and just put them all over the place. Give him alot more to climb on, and take the cork tubes and wedge them firmly into the branches so they are suspended off the ground. An easy 0$ fix.

SnakeyJay · 05-03-14, 09:35 AM

I've added more cork bark, he's exploring.. Running around.. Then dives at the glass for 5 mins or so.. Basks again and so on lol.. He's eating ok aswell so far.

smy_749 · 05-03-14, 09:41 AM

its probably normal then

jpsteele80 · 05-03-14, 09:42 AM

Congrats on your first monitor

SnakeyJay · 05-03-14, 09:45 AM

If I put too many branches in I'm worried that he'll get on the UV light n pop it out or hurt himself on it..