Hi Murrindindi,

Obviously, a dish will not allow soaking for anything but a hatchling. All I was trying to say is that even though a large, clean source of water for swimming would be ideal, it has not been necessary in my experience. Of course, I made sure that I compensated for that security option that I did not provide.

I always considered big, soaking tubs for water monitors, kind of like a child's wading pool, fun to soak in, but useless for swimming, or escaping from predators, as these water types would primarily use water for. So honestly, I didn't really believe that I was depriving them of that much. In reality the vast majority of water monitor keepers don't offer swimming areas, they offer soaking areas, and while I'm sure such tubs are appreciated, they do not fullfill the security needs that a river or stream would provide. The only time I have seen a captive envirnment that addresses a water monitor's security needs was the Cleveland Zoo's set up, which would have made a colony of seals happy.

If anyone wants to deal with dumping, disinfecting and re-filling a 50 gallon or much larger soaking tub daily, than more power to that individual. That is a lot of work, more work than I cared to take on. I wish anyone who takes on such a giant responsibility the very best, including that fella with the cummingi. I just don't see such offerings as necessary to maintain those species. Good conversation, thanks.

Will

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