Mangrove Monitor questions

smy_749 · 03-30-13, 05:36 PM

The walmart in my area is a bit under maintained, CVS has them so thats where I'll get mine, for 12 dollars. (they keep them for humidity in baby rooms apparently) . Jarich how is the battery life on those? I hate ordering things online because Its a pain in the *** to return it, and I hate waiting for stuff to come in the mail. What do you think something like the one in the pic would go for? Kingsnake classifieds had a bit larger one for 750$ from S S exotics in las vegas, which I know is expensive, but was just curious.

Also for one that size, do you think 8 inches of dirt from outside and some leaf litter would be ok, I know its not enough to burrow but I can just make a burrow with an upside down tupperwear that wont collapse no?

jarich · 03-31-13, 03:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smy_749

The walmart in my area is a bit under maintained, CVS has them so thats where I'll get mine, for 12 dollars. (they keep them for humidity in baby rooms apparently) . Jarich how is the battery life on those? I hate ordering things online because Its a pain in the *** to return it, and I hate waiting for stuff to come in the mail. What do you think something like the one in the pic would go for? Kingsnake classifieds had a bit larger one for 750$ from S S exotics in las vegas, which I know is expensive, but was just curious.

Also for one that size, do you think 8 inches of dirt from outside and some leaf litter would be ok, I know its not enough to burrow but I can just make a burrow with an upside down tupperwear that wont collapse no?

The battery life is great. I've had to replace the batteries in the base station once (they're just AAs, so no big deal). The sensor batteries on my oldest ones have lasted over a year so far.

As for your question about the set up, it's a risky thing to ask if its "ok" with any indicus species. This is a rare animal. If you are worried about whether you can provide just what's ok, I think you should reconsider. Although you may just be researching, so no harm in that.

varanus_mad · 03-31-13, 03:21 AM

Home - Varanus indicus species-complex

^ I would be inclined to agree thats a juxti as opposed to indicus...

smy_749 · 03-31-13, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jarich

The battery life is great. I've had to replace the batteries in the base station once (they're just AAs, so no big deal). The sensor batteries on my oldest ones have lasted over a year so far.

As for your question about the set up, it's a risky thing to ask if its "ok" with any indicus species. This is a rare animal. If you are worried about whether you can provide just what's ok, I think you should reconsider. Although you may just be researching, so no harm in that.

Yea I was just curious if anyone has actually seen them burrow, when provided with the substrate. Because I know from rudi owners that its not really common, an I don't know about the true tree monitors, if anyone has seem them burrow as well. Perhaps the tree species regulate humidity at different levels of the canopy in the wild, or inside hollow trees as a substitute for ground burrows. I know with other tree dwelling animals, ground activity is a rarity, was just wondering if true tree monitors were generally the same, and if indicus is one of them.

On another note, has anyone made a topic on how to save money not shopping from pet stores. Like the cheaper 'better' substitutes? I'd like to make a thread about that I feel it would be very useful. I picked up a new temp gun today from a good reliable brand with a 2 year warranty and reads temps up to 700 for 27 dollars....

infernalis · 03-31-13, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smy_749

On another note, has anyone made a topic on how to save money not shopping from pet stores. Like the cheaper 'better' substitutes? I'd like to make a thread about that I feel it would be very useful. I picked up a new temp gun today from a good reliable brand with a 2 year warranty and reads temps up to 700 for 27 dollars....

We had a thread like that but it faded away long ago. Start another...

I have a bunch of contributions for such a thread.

Pirarucu · 03-31-13, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smy_749

Yea I was just curious if anyone has actually seen them burrow, when provided with the substrate. Because I know from rudi owners that its not really common, an I don't know about the true tree monitors, if anyone has seem them burrow as well. Perhaps the tree species regulate humidity at different levels of the canopy in the wild, or inside hollow trees as a substitute for ground burrows. I know with other tree dwelling animals, ground activity is a rarity, was just wondering if true tree monitors were generally the same, and if indicus is one of them.

They burrow.
Unlike more terrestrial species, their burrows are not usually very large or complex, and are more often than not just a little hole under a log. They should still be provided with dirt, all monitors should in my opinion. It won't hurt them if they don't use it...