Captive feeding?

[smy_749]

Just 2 quick questions that struck my mind...

In captivity, are we trying recreate the fundamental 'niche' or the realized one found in the wild? (through temps, humidity, substrate depth etc.) how does this translate to how much you choose to feed your monitor? Has there been studies done on how much a typical monitor will eat in a day? How much do you guys generally feed, until full may be optimal for growth rate, but is it actually optimal for the health of the lizard? (these are genuine questions). I know in snakes, many discourage 'power feeding' as it results in a shorter lifespan or something. The same question goes for basking spots, etc. ---> Do we recreate what we find them basking at in the wild, or what is optimal for digestion? I hope I didn't confuse you.

Secondly, is it possible that monitors can actually be picky food wise, and we just don't observe that in the wild because they simply don't survive as a result? (My little rudi is active ALL day, I haven't seen him eat anything with my own eyes other than mice , as they are the only thing he will take from tongs) He won't touch fish, even if I leave it all night, and will only eat roaches and rickets when I'm not around..