Posted by:
jobi
at Wed May 7 15:53:59 2008 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by jobi ]
I have to disagree with Robyn when it comes to nil monitors, Nil’s are the most interesting monitor in the world, they are the mother of all extant varanids, they have such a rich history and the widest geological spread of any varanids specie.
They represent everything a monitor is about ( size, climbing, swimming, hunting, display) and then more (ontogenetic color change and dentition change) both unique to many varanids.
They are defensive but not aggressive, they will display defensive attitude more then most other varanids, but if treated with respect this is not a problem.
Nil’s aren’t for you if you’re the type of keeper without patients, they aren’t for you if you see them as disposable, they aren’t for you if you need to handle your lizard.
Nil’s are for any keeper wishing to learn about varanids, they command respect and dedication.
Nil’s are one of the easiest to care for and feed monitor, a simple water change is just about all the cleaning your cage will need, 2$ will get you a can of snails and a can of sardines (niloticus food) at the dollar store, hissers are easily bred by the 1000s and make an excellent staple for nil’s of all size.
Nil’s have generated more income to the pet industry then any other monitor, second to the savannah. Millions have been imported and sold thru the years, everybody knows them.
Peoples buy them with cage and furniture’s, they find them fascinating for a while but soon realise what they got into.
As history repeat itself, peoples subsequently obtain an other monitor at some point and farther contribute to the pet industry (economics).
Nil’s are no worst then waters or albigularis, in fact niloticus is smaller and more predictable, and way way safer then waters.
Long term keepers of albigularis have all seen how mature males can display mood swing and unpredictable feeding response (feeding is the no1 accidental factor in herpetoculture)
Long term keepers of salvator knows how even an accidental bite will do serious damage, and many adult tame salvators revert to a don’t touch me attitude.
I have from experience seen most nil’s become trust wordy adults with even and predictable temperaments, they don’t express the feeding response that both albigularis and water normally show.
It is no less ethical to keep one specie over the other, regardless of monetary value a monitor is an animal we as keepers should respect and care for properly.
Rgds
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RE: conclusion on Nile Monitors - jobi, Wed May 7 15:53:59 2008 
