A few questions for a possible first timer with varanids

[Amadeus]

Originally Posted by Pirarucu

Ackie Monitors would make a much better choice. They are active and inquisitive, and are not very wary of people. A Peacock Monitor (often labeled as a Blue Spot Timor, despite being a separate species) will spend most of its time hiding, and most will never become accustomed to your presence. In addition, ackies are all captive bred, whereas peacocks are almost all wild caught.

For an ackie, the minimum would be a 4x2x2ft enclosure. They will use every inch of space you give them though, so bigger is better.

For substrate, you will need a deep layer of soil (a foot or preferably deeper) that can hold a burrow, to provide an area for the monitors to dig and in the case of a female, lay eggs.
As far as furnishings, just cram stuff in, and make sure it can't be knocked over or dug under. Monitors will use every inch you give them, so you want to maximize the amount of useable space in the cage. Branches, rocks, cork tubes are good, anything.

If you plan on keeping a monitor, you will want to breed at least some of your own feeders. A roach colony is a good way to go. If you can breed other feeders too, go for it.

I was planning on using plywood for the enclosure but the dirt would cause the wood to rot. How could I go around this? Do ackie's generally make a more easy going and tameable monitor?