I haven't been around the monitor world for long, but I never really saw a tame monitor of the indicus complex. They can be very cheap but the truth is they almost always make poor captives because of their temperments, unless you're an experienced keeper that don't care about not seeing the animal very often.

There are a couple keepers here who have taken their chances with Varanus doreanus. They really try hard but had no results in making the monitors less shy. As Frank Retes calls it, these species will cause the "empty cage syndrome", as they are very shhy and always hidden.


As CrocDoc stated, most of the tame monitors you see around are being kept in suboptimal conditions. Not warm enough or in snake-like cages, with no hiding options and a thin layer of wood shavings.
These are either lethargic or in a constant state of stress that keeps them from behaving normally.

I have seen a lot of these here and they usually live no more than 2 to 5 years.

That's why I told you to get another easy going species while you take your chances with the monitor. Otherwise you'll break your heart or you'll prejudice your pet.

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