hatchling ackies! :) FINALLY!!

[enso]

Congrats, they're beautiful. Awesome setup. I'd live there. =P

[ErikM]

Any real dirt is great for monitors, and I have found that dirt with sand in it holds burrows even better. Try it out. it might work well.

[NiagaraReptiles]

The type of dirt to be used with any given species can vary depending on the age of the animal, as well as the specific animals preference.
I'm afraid there really isn't an easy answer here. For adult Ackies (and Sav's) I would suggest more of a silty mineral dirt. Low organic property, good drainage, yet holds water well (I know, it's confusing). These are a few things that are important to females looking for a place to nest. Babies don't nest, so you need to find a substrate that works for them and thier needs.

Depending on where you lice, that can be as simple as diggin dirt from your back yard......for me, I had a 2 year quest until I found the dirt I'm using now.

Best wishes,

[NiagaraReptiles]

I should add that just because one would keep their monitor on dirt, it doesn't mean it's going to be a recognizable or usable substrate for your monitor. The type/composition of dirt really does matter when it comes to nesting.

[V.hb]

Pro-Exotics claims they have the god of all soils... Its really red, anyone try using it? It looks like it works well for them......


I just used stuff from out back..... Quite a few burrows made by a few different species of varanid, So hopefully its adequate.

[V.hb]

About the ackies not eating, as Jon said treat them like adults. When recieving our little hatchlings awhile back they refused small crickets, but a few large went in and they went right for them, tearing them apart. You NEED hot temperatures, i would have your bask at around 120 for sure, I feel 100 is too cold for them.

Good luck!

[Kyle Walkinshaw]

Update on feeding!! Not too big a deal but I tossed in some small crickets last night (only a few) and was disappointed this morning when then were all still there but just 30 seconds ago RIGHT before I came to write this I saw one of my little ackies pounce on a small cricket!! He missed:P but atleast now I know they are hungry and going to eat and it just put my mind at ease!

Thank you to everyone who responded with comments and advice, it has helped

Cheers, Kyle~

[Batdad]

Very nice

Bruce

[NiagaraReptiles]

Originally posted by V.hb
Pro-Exotics claims they have the god of all soils... Its really red, anyone try using it? It looks like it works well for them......


I just used stuff from out back..... Quite a few burrows made by a few different species of varanid, So hopefully its adequate.

Lots of people say a lot of things.......that's one of the biggest problems when dealing with Monitors. One thing I've learned is to not worry so much about what everyone else is doing at thier place and to concentrate on my captives.

There are several soil types that will "work" for each species. Fewer still that will work well. By "work" I mean nesting-hatching. After all, what else is there for a monitor to do with their life?

Anyway, all that is a whole other can of worms........

[lordkovacs]

coo man coo. great ackies. they look awesome! cheers,
MIKE

[Clownfishie]

Congrats, they're very cute!!