You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!
If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact contact us.
Just a thread where I'll share pictures and updates on my little Nile monitor named Django. He's still a 'rescue' right now, I'm not going to be keeping him for the rest of his life. But I am going to be working with him to try and get him used to people before he is transferred to his adult enclosure at the rescue facility. And in the mean time, I'll be posting updates and pictures and videos of his antics. I really enjoy having him around, and I hope you all will enjoy him just as much
No big deal, thanks Aaaron for letting Barely Breathing know that was not the case.
That was the first day I rescued him and that was his temporary tank. He moved to an 8x2x2 tank with a foot of sand/soil to dig around in when I got the all clear on his fecal sample and made sure he had no outstanding health issues. I quarantine all rescues for 3 days before getting them started in their permanent enclosures.
He's doing well, and has already done some growing in the three weeks I have had him.
Going well on a diet of fuzzy and pinkie mice, dubia roaches, live minnows, and meal worms as a snack. He is interested in the nightcrawlers, but he never actually eats them. He grabs one in his mouth and thrashes it around for like 3 straight minutes and then just spits it out. Then he goes back over to the bowl and grabs another and repeats the process. It was odd to me, so I actually cut one worm up into tiny bits but he did the same thing so I just gave up.
He is looking phenomenal. Acting just like a monitor should! I have always found it incredible how quickly a healthy monitor can snap into a defense posture, and turn into a formidable beast. It's impressive with small babies, but seeing a large adult do it is just awe inspiring, every time.
He's so curious, following my hand around and watching me constantly. He's in a low traffic room, and he only really ever sees and interacts with me. He seems to be used to me now, he will turn his back to me and do his own thing even if I'm standing right next to his enclosure. He doesn't do that with other people in my household, he never looks away from them and watches them like a hawk.
It's an 8x2x2 aquarium. The light is now moved down to the end near the water dish after people advised me to do so. The top is plexiglass with a hole for the light to go through and a screen inbetween to thwart any escape attempts through said hole!
He's got two burrows down at the deep end, I'm thinking about putting even more substrate in over there because he never really walks on top over there, he just uses that area for digging. It's only a foot deep on that end, so I might bump it up to like 18 inches instead.
Hi again, thanks for the pic, if that`s the only lighting you have you need more, an ordinary household fluorescent tube will be o.k, and if you can cover the sides and back with thin plywood or similar (even some cardboard for now), it will help stabilise the temps.
I also recommend using the low wattage halogen bulbs @ 40 to 60watts (flood, not spot), they won`t dry out the air, which will obviously help with the humidity, and if you place two or three close together it will heat the animal`s whole body (most important).
Obviously it would be best to have them inside rather than on top of the tank, can you get a piece of (sealed) plywood or another piece of plexiglass and drill holes for the electric flex to pass through? The bulbs plus ceramic fixtures measure around 15cm (6 inches), so you would just about have enough height.
Edit: Make sure the substrate is really firmly tamped down. I know there`s a limit to how much because it`s an all glass tank, but it`s no use if it`s just patted gently.
Last edited by murrindindi; 01-30-13 at 05:31 PM..
Thanks, this is a temporary enclosure for him, as he is a foster animal that I will not be keeping into adulthood.
I don't have a problem with temperature stabilization, glass this thick is a wonderful insulator, I'm getting daily fluctuations of only about 2 degrees F at a time. And they are caused by me opening the lid for feedings, then they stabilize again quickly.
His current lamp is a 150 watt heat bulb, keeping the basking temp at a steady 115. Cool side is 76ish.
Humidity is 25% on hot side, 63% on cool side, and 90-100% in his burrows.
In Django's larger build I already have a row of three ceramic fixtures with 40 watt outdoor flood lights, but thanks for the advice.
Even if it`s only a temporary enclosure the conditions must fully support the monitor, their health suffers from day one if those aren`t all in place. The surface temp is too low, you need between approx 50 to 60c (120 to 140f), glass is actually a very bad insulator (I mention that not just for your info but for others who may think it`s a good option),
How long before he/she goes in the bigger tank?
I think it`s great that you`re trying to do your best even though you say you`re not keeping it, well done!
Linear Mode
