Mangroves

[LORI34205]

who here owns a mangrove how are they tempered?
my local pet store has one about a foot and some inches long and he seems like he can tolerate being handled.I just like the look of them they are very beautiful animals.I would just like to here everyones opinion on them.
tks

[Steeve B]

tell me Lori, what did you like about this monitor?

[burmer]

I have a friend that has one. He doesn't ever bite but he is flighty and will deficate on you in a heart beat. I like the look of them too and have thought about getting one for a few years.

[LORI34205]

well steve i have a baby sav i just bought and i fell in love with him or her(Still noy sure,not old enough). i know that savannahs can be one of the more lazy monitors in the group but are also very beatiful monitors,I saw the mangrove at the pet store and he is black and white he has a nice full body and they want a 100.00 for him(american money)I also know that mangroves will get a bit longer than a sav will but without the bulk of a sav.

im just checking out other monitors so when i am able, i can get one and be sure on it.i am also very intrested in black and white throats i would like everyones opinions on those too
tks

[tabastifur]

Mangroves are awesome...

I mean, I love all species of monitors but mangroves have to be in the top 5.

You're going to need a relatively large enclosure for when it's an adult however. I wouldlike to say that 6 X 3 X 3 would be a minimum, but you could go a tiny bit smaller if you had to.

The only real problem with these guys is the crapping on me when I pick them up, they are notorious for it so I just make sure the vent is pointed away from me when I grab them.

One thing I always found neat about mangroves is the keeled tail to help them swim. It's quite a cool tool, they can rip through the water. In the summer I put mine in a kitty pool and watch him rip around!

P.S. Check out Timor monitors, they rock! (Stay small too) My little male is 18" TL!

[LORI34205]

also for a full grown sav is 8x4x3 enough room to be comfy?
i would also like to know what people think about black and white throats.Not to many people seem to ever talk about either of them, my local pet store has a 3 foot black throat and he is beatiful.Hes shedding right now so hes not that great looking but once hes fresh he looks great, i feel bad for him they have had him for 6 months. he started at 200.00(american money)then 150.00and now hes a 100.00 they have a foot and a few inch long mangrove for a hundred too.So do mangroves always crap on you or just most of the time or not usually or what?Will they stop crapping on you if they are handled often.(my iguana crapped on me and it was so horrible i wanted to smack her,
of course i didnt.)

[tabastifur]

If only all Savannah keepers had that much room to offer thier animals. I once heard of someone keeping an adult sav in a 33 gallon aquarium. Brutal.

My Mangrove doesn't deficate on me much anymore. When he was a juvenile though...WOW Everytime I had him he shot poo everywhere! It was insane.

Blackthroats are awesome monitors as well. I personally prefer Savannah's more but I guess I can't be too sure cause I have never had a Blackthroat before. $100AD is not too bad for one. But do make sure you are ready for these large species of monitors, as some can be quite a handfull!

[LORI34205]

I didnt really ask to handle the black throat, i wouldnt be buying him anyway,i would by a little baby

[Tim and Julie B]

Got a white throat (getting it back) she is a bitch but a very cool monitor!TB

[Steeve B]

Lori I think Indicus are fine varanids they really are, I especially like their aquatic habits, there cage is always clean, as they defecate in the water bowl. At $100 dollars they must be from Salomon Island, these are awesome and much smaller 30in max.
But I who’d need to see to be sure!
All my Indicus tamed after a while, what’s most important is you obtain something you love; it’s easy to care for something we love.
Take care have fun, especially on this forum!

[meluvstgr]

Hey Lori. Do you live in Bradenton, FL?

BTW, the book I'm reading on Savannahs says the ideal minimum for them is 8x4x4.

[Mr.Lizard]

Hey Lori,I've had a couple of mangroves(V.indicus)...They are a bit skittish but are quite reluctant to bite(rare for a monitor).
Not my first choice for a monitor,but pretty....I've got a water monitor,which is my all time fave,but a bit larger and less reluctant to bite.
Like Steeve says,get something you love...you'll be much more likely to go the extra mile to make sure it's cared for the very best it can be.
As far as blackthroats go,I've only heard good things.
They can get pretty big though.

[alex_33]

How would you guys heat your mangrove cages? and is UV neccessary?