lace monitor

[crocdoc]

haven't had a chance to do much herping this summer (my captives have been keeping me busy), but took this photo of a nice looking male lace monitor, Varanus varius, while on a hike a couple of months ago.

[ChunkyMunky]

Whoa, thats a sweet lace. Nice pics, I hope you didnt try to grab him lol

[crocdoc]

I've caught them in the past, but tend not to do it unless I have a good reason.

[Ontario_herper]

Is that you Dave? How have you been keeping? I don't remember seeeing any lizards like that when you took me out herping? lol

Dave

[crocdoc]

Haha, Dave. I thought I saw you lurking on one of these forums.

No, you didn't see any lizards like that when I took you out herping. If you came herping with me tomorrow, though, I could almost guarantee a sighting of a lace monitor.

It's summer.

You came herping in winter

hahahaha... sorry, had to do that to you. How are your Osteolaemus?

[Ontario_herper]

The name croc doc and the pics of those Aussy monitors I figured it had to be you.

My Osteolaemus are both dead. One ate the other at a size of 14" (somewhat unheard of)? The other bit his water heater in half. The plastic encasment and PVC pipe around the heater was not enough to prevent this croc from doing himself in. Just goes to show that no matter what precautions you take external water heats are the way to go! Costly lesson though.

How are your captives doing? I would imagene they would be quite large by now? Have they kicked you out of your bedroom yet?

BTW I'll be fine as long as you don't post any diamond pics okay? lol

[crocdoc]

Did I tell you about the diamonds I found later that winter? They are out and about in winter, one of the few large reptiles to do so in this area. Sorry

Shame about your Osteolaemus. I know of people that have had similar experiences with crocodilians eating each other (or most of each other, anyway, but enough to cause death) and with crocodilians biting heaters. When I kept an alligator and caimans in Canada I had the heater in the filter, out of harm's way.

My captives are doing well. There are some photographs of a couple of them, and of their enclosure, on the enclosure/reptile room forum. One of the males is around 160cm now and the female he is housed with has laid two clutches so far this season.