Water Monitors - Something to go all out on?

BoidsUnlimited · 06-22-05, 11:33 PM

I have always loved Varanids....I have owned Savannahs and a Nile in the past, and would like to keep another as just a pet o fmy own. Waters are definately one of my favorites, and I love the fact that most seem quite tame, ot can be quite tame.

But my ? is...is this a species I dont want to go cheap on? I see some for around $100....and some for $500. Now the $100 Waters are from a site and they are labeled as Asians. Does this price seem abit low?

I can offer it the space need definately, all the right food and lighting, but I just dont want to pay $100 or so for an animal that has been WC or CH.

If someone could please point me in the RIGHT direction via PM (sites and breeders) I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks,

Don Meyer

crocdoc · 06-22-05, 11:38 PM

I'm not going to give you advice on breeders or sites, but I am going to offer advice on getting a water monitor (or any other monitor) as a 'pet'.

Don't.

If you get any large monitor with the hopes or intention of it being tame, you may be able to get what you're after, or you may not. In the latter case you'll be stuck with a food gobbling, space and electricity sucking, giant, tail-whipping (or even biting) monster. Then what?

Even a very 'tame' one can have an inappropriate feeding response and remove a finger or two.

BoidsUnlimited · 06-22-05, 11:45 PM

I am aware of how much tehy can eat, and all the expenses. Maybe not AS aware with a Water monitor, but I plan to learn. I had a 4ft Savanna at one point and she was quite a handle full. My post wasnt meant to sound like i was EXPECTING a pet either, I guess I just meant something I DONT plan on breeding.

Bartman · 06-22-05, 11:47 PM

The longer I keep my monitor, mind you its only a savannah, the more I realise these aren't lap dogs that have to be 'tame'. I actually enjoy watching him more then picking him up and killing off his natural instincts. Although he is calm and not deffensive, I would still rather leave him be in his cage or let him roam around but not force him to sit on my lap.

Dont take this the wrong way, I am not directing anything to you, just stating that I find monitors more interesting when left to 'do their thing'

BoidsUnlimited · 06-22-05, 11:56 PM

I agree totally BartMan. When my monitor was out....she was out on her own for excersise with CONSTANT supervision. She enjoyed walking around my room and just "chilling" on top of my bed.

V.hb · 06-23-05, 03:19 PM

Don't take offence here Don but you've done this many times.. start asking questions, go against good advice, buy a monitor, get rid of it.. now it's repeating. Make sure that you're prepared this time. Best way to prepare yourself is start small. Get a pair of ackies, raise them, breed them, hatch them - and then if you're still interested in working with them on a larger scale, upgrade to a bigger species. For now, stay with the little guys as a learning stage.. Trust me, it's the best way to get into varanids.. I wish ackies were more commonly available when I began keeping monitors, would have saved me alot of headache.

BoidsUnlimited · 06-23-05, 04:29 PM

How is it repeating? What have I boughten? haha

I raised a female Sav to 3ft and had some babies.....I highly doubt I'll get one cause of the size though anyways....I probably wont get any monitor any time soon until I get my own place.

later

crocdoc · 06-23-05, 07:54 PM

How is that 3 foot sav doing? Have you thought of buying her a mate? Why isn't she listed along with your garter snake at the bottom of your post?

kap10cavy · 06-23-05, 08:43 PM

I loved garter snakes. Way back in 72 and 73 we lived in Washington state and I would find balls of the critters and turn them loose in my sisters room.
It would have been the perfect gag, if she didn't beat the tar out of me for my efforts.
Ahhh............... Memories.......................

Scott

bistrobob85 · 06-23-05, 09:03 PM

If you're only 18 and you dont have your own place and house, you'd better not get a water monitor or any large monitor. I dream of these but i will NEVER aquire one until i have a house... I pitty my 3' sav in its 5x2x2 cage, i wonder how i could keep a water monitor in anything smaller than a 15x10x7' cage...

BoidsUnlimited · 06-23-05, 10:23 PM

crocdoc - unfrotunately i had to move. if there is a problem with that please feel free to pm me. you might as well pm a whole other bunch that are selling reptiles because of a move as well

bistrobob - fortunately enough i have a decent sized house, with an extremely large basement

I realize now why I took a few months off of the forums.....i asked a simple ? about the prices and quality of waters, and this becomes a care issue? if i was not aware of the size and space needed, i sure as heck wouldnt be asking about how much a CB or nice water would be.

Thanks anyways though, guess I'll try some people athe upcoming show

Don Meyer

crocdoc · 06-24-05, 04:47 AM

Actually, if I moved I would move my animals, too (unless I moved to another country, of course).

BoidsUnlimited · 06-24-05, 10:28 AM

Well unfortunately at the time, that wasn't an option for me due to the situation. Because trust me, if I could have, I would.

Bartman · 06-24-05, 03:43 PM

Quote:

I realize now why I took a few months off of the forums.....i asked a simple ? about the prices and quality of waters, and this becomes a care issue? if i was not aware of the size and space needed, i sure as heck wouldnt be asking about how much a CB or nice water would be.

It becomes an issue when it becomes extremely repetitive.

V.hb · 06-24-05, 04:16 PM

Don, you've been banned from this site how many times???

I recall you giving advice on letting a savannah free roam with a card board box for shelter not long ago either... Don't take offence, you just don't seem to want to listen to anyone.

Theres plenty of info and good reading out there on monitors, if you really were truely interested you'd do research and not come to the forums and ask the same q's over and over and over