Hi,



Well if you have been following me, then you should know, there is no answer to your question.



Its very much up to you. I think there are two parts to being a good keeper, one inherent and the other learned. You know exactly how monitors work.



You story indicated you may have an inherent touch with animals. I do. You know, get along better with animals then with a whole lot of people.



Animals comunicate by touch and feel. Not by silly words. And yes, words are silly, just read these forums. One word can mean anything. But your heart is always your heart.



In my experiece, its mostly gender based but thankfully, not entirely so. More females have touch.



So if you have that "touch" use it, its a valuable tool. I rarely talk about that here.



Next the bad part, learning. This is where academics, all you have been thinking about and learning about, meets reality, the actual keeping and training of you and your monitor.



In this, the only preperation is actually practicing your academic learning. That is, to do it.



So I recomend you start small, while you do not have the time and space for a giant lizard, do you have time a space for a small monitor thats exatly the same but smaller. Start there, practice your touch and training methods, learn real husbandry, etc.



Then when you start with something large and longterm, you will not be a rank beginer. Chances are, your going to make lots of mistakes.



Start little, then move up, so to speak.



In most cases, forming a bond with this types of animals is a form of training. They depend on for for something, You must learn their language and they yours. And stick with it.



Also, While you have a thing for waters, let me advise you. Any animal that uses water, is a whole lot of work. A Adult water, is beyond a whole lot of work. Water maintainence is a whole vocation on its own.

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