Argus/Goulds monitor questions

[dinosaurdammit]

So I am in the process of acquiring an argus/goulds monitor cross. As far as the shop knows they are the only ones that have been bred. They are both full grown but I am only getting one as I cant afford the both of them. At 3 years old they are about 4 feet long give or take an inch and are already pretty docile around people as they were the shops pets.


What temps do they need?
What size set up?
Any particular things I should know about them?
What kind of soil?
Any branches or other climbing things?


here is when they were babies although that was some time ago. Funny thing is they are gay, they wont mate with females but attempt to breed with each other often o_O

[War Machine]

They can hit 5', so enclosure size is 10x5x5 at least. Argus are awesome monitors. Never kept em, so I can't contribute much more.

[dinosaurdammit]

Could I just put him in my niles set up? The guy selling the monitor is interested in my nile.

[War Machine]

An adult? What size is your niles enclosure again? If I remember it wasn't very big

[dinosaurdammit]

its 12 long x6 wide x3 foot high now that we had to fix what the dog destroyed.

[BarelyBreathing]

Can you post pictures of your Nile's enclosure?

[dinosaurdammit]

I lack a camera but the 15 ive been planing to get a camera so I can take pics of all the set ups and monitor the progress on the water dragons as well.

[War Machine]

3' is too shallow I would think. Not sure if Argus like to burrow, If so, that's enclosure is no good

[dinosaurdammit]

everything so far I have read doesnt mention burrowing :/

I can make it deeper if need be- I would really love some correct pages to look at true argus stuff, some pages conflict and I am left bewildered. Infern told me there were some argus peeps on here and to ask here to get some help.

[infernalis]

I believe they do. Crocdoc will most likely read this thread, so let's see what he says.

[dinosaurdammit]

crossing my fingers i get some more advice as I just feel so conflicted on a good portion of the online guides

[War Machine]

Yeah croc has them on point. You should get in touch with him Dino.

[BeardedDee]

Argus are natural born diggers, around 18" of moist soil and sand mix would help enormously. That though would leave only 18" height above ground in your Nile set up for it. I'd reconsider getting an Argus/Goulds if sticking with that enclosure.

[Gatorhunter1231]

There are several crosses out there. Most want pure breeds so there isnt large number of crosses but still out there. They dig like crazy, are active like crazy, and eat like crazy lol. Tend to make better capitives then niles and adult size is easier to manage.

[War Machine]

I'd love an argus someday. Someday lol.

I'd make your enclosure 5-6, tall, and fill it with 2.5-3' of dirt. Seal it up air tight and you'll be set.