good gentle starter monitor

varanuskomodoen · 12-12-03, 10:38 PM

Is there a good monitor to start out with that is easy to handle (not rough)? My preference is 3'-4'. I don't want to come home to an angry wife!!

Oh yea, try to exclude savannas- I heard bed things about them and just don't find them attractive. I also don't wan't crocodile monitors or KRMs. Thank you all who reply!

varanuskomodoen · 12-12-03, 10:39 PM

Oh, sorry-I'm a perfectionist. *I heard BAD things about them.

CDN COLDBLOOD · 12-13-03, 09:20 AM

You could try Red or Yellow ackies. They're a good starter monitor that won't disapoint you. They will succeed in a wide range of environments as you go through the learning process, and breed quite readily. They just don't get as big as you want, they stay at around 2 feet in length.
Brandon

NiagaraReptiles · 12-13-03, 09:29 AM

I second that.

Ackies are loads of fun and provide lots of entertainment and some will quite readily allow handling. Nothing beats them for a starter monitor, for sure.

varanuskomodoen · 12-13-03, 12:02 PM

What prices can I get ackies for? Where can I get them?

varanuskomodoen · 12-13-03, 12:15 PM

Do you have pictures of ackies? I want to raise a baby for handling the most. I have quite a few lizards, but I'm only interested in breeding leos, so I don't want two, just one. I want a monitor that I can let out in the house sometimes or sit with me on the patio. I want a good companion monitor (and no-not for a wife), that is like a dog, but won't run away at any given chance.

varanuskomodoen · 12-13-03, 12:16 PM

Does this still fit the definition of an ackie's personality? Also, would you recommend a good leash?

skinheaddave · 12-13-03, 02:08 PM

If that is what you are looking for, get a dog. While there are some monitors that have a greater tendency to become docile than others (savs, for example), these things are wild animals. That means you have no guarantees that they will calm down, and even if they do, you can still never trust them completely. Even a tame monitor will shred furniture with its nails and wedge itself in wherever it has the chance. Taking it outside, you also have to consider your situation with neightbours, bylaws etc. My sav is pretty docile and I have a leash for it so that it can go outside. That being said, it is not a "companion monitor," but rather a monitor that I can give a bit more exercise and fresh air to. I have no illusions as to how much it likes me.

Cheers,
Dave

varanuskomodoen · 12-13-03, 02:11 PM

Ok. Thanks, but I'll stick to monitor lizards. I didn't actually mean I wanted something in retuen from the lizard, just a good monitor that is usually calm and won't run away at any given point.

varanuskomodoen · 12-13-03, 02:14 PM

*return

Jeff_Favelle · 12-13-03, 03:33 PM

Quote:

I want a monitor that I can let out in the house sometimes or sit with me on the patio. I want a good companion monitor (and no-not for a wife), that is like a dog, but won't run away at any given chance.

Huh?

I agree, get a dog.

varanuskomodoen · 12-13-03, 03:52 PM

A dog or any other mammal in that matter would drive my lizards crazy.

varanuskomodoen · 12-13-03, 03:54 PM

Umm......I don't think so. I'll look into ackies.

Jeff_Favelle · 12-13-03, 04:07 PM

Quote:

A dog or any other mammal in that matter would drive my lizards crazy.

I don't see how that is possible as they SHOULDN'T BE COMING INTO CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER.

Bartman · 12-13-03, 05:10 PM

i kind of understand what you want but sorry to tell you just causs there big doesnt mean that you can just chill with it. There still lizards and will always be lizards. They dont have compasion for anything, there instinctual animals. Basically if you want something you can relax with on the porch its def not a retile. If you just looking for a good pet lizard, id maybe suggest a savanah monitor. There pretty good starters imo.