Django the Nile Monitor

[Pirarucu]

I'd try making it six wide and six tall if you can, but that could suffice.. The water should probably be around a quarter of the cage's size in this case. Stock tanks would work well.

Enrichment for monitors will revolve around food, and giving them a task or puzzle to complete to reach the food is a good way to go about it. Try buying a hamster ball and putting some roaches in it...

Feeding will depend on the individual monitor and the prey items, you'll need to work that out yourself. Generally if you are limiting food, it's best to feed less on a more frequent basis rather than bigger meals less often. Many people simply feed as much as the monitor wants every day, usually with no problems. If you can post a picture we can tell you about his weight.

Harnesses and leashes are a touchy subject, ultimately it is down to the individual monitor and keeper. You have the right idea, though perhaps not the right monitor. He sounds very flighty and insecure, I would wait until he is bigger and calmer, now it would probably just stress him.

Target training is very easy, most zoos do it with their monitors. Moody Gardens does, they catch on very quickly. I see a lot of benefit, since for one it provides enrichment for the animal when they are still figuring it out. When working with larger species it can obviously make moving the animal much easier on the animal and the keeper, particularly if the animal is insecure or aggressive. In addition, the monitor does not go food crazy at the sight of the keeper, but at the sight of its target.