Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,
I've been keeping various herps for awhile, but for some reason monitors always caught my eye and interested me. I was wondering if perhaps some of you knowledgable people on this forum could help me decide which monitor would be right for me. I would want something CB of course and something whose temperment would allow me to handle them. Also, i would want something that will not get too big. The last thing i would want would be a 6' lizard. I am looking for something that I would be able to keep in a reasonable sized enclosure. It seems like from i've seen is that Timor and Ackies seem to be a reasonable size... but im not sure...

Thanks to you who reply!
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Sounds to me like you're definetly going to be looking at getting an Ackie, they fit your requirements pretty well and are known in the knowledagable circles of monitor husbandry to be one of the best starter monitors, probably the best (as opposed to what the general public would say, Boscs/Sav's etc)

Good luck!!

Timors are usually quite easy to care for, but usually they're very very skittish. I guess there are exceptions, but that's the rule.
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Peter: It's OK, I'll handle it. I read a book about something like this.
Brian: Are you sure it was a book? Are you sure it wasn't NOTHING?

yeah, I'm not sure on that one, it's your call.
Ackies usually aren't all that skittish, not sure what the comparison is between the activity levels of a Timor and an Ackie...

Read up a bit on both, check them out for yourself (visit some!!) and decide for yourself what you think will be best for you.

It just seems like the Timors are being active where you cant see them(at least when youre in the room), and the ackies dont mind being viewed as much. Generally...

Which is best to handle, and what are their enclosure sizes?
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Im sure there will be some discussion on cage size, but IMO, a floor surface area of 4'x2' should be ok for up to a trio of either species. Bigger is better for sure, but if youre pressed for space they would be ok in an elclosure of this size.

Oh wow, that's a really good size! Thanks for your post...

Now i do not know which i would like to have... Could someone give me an idea which would be better? Timor or Ackies and why? I would like something that i would be able to handle... Thanks a lot to all who are helping me!
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I keep a 2 Timors, 2 Blue Spot Timors, and a pair of both red and yellow ackies. This in no way makes me an expert on their personalities as each individual is different but, It does give me a bit to compare. Both types of Timors hide for at least 90 percent of the time. They do not tolerate handling well at all. They don't bite but they get very very stressed from any handling. They squirm and try to run away. The ackies don't seem to care about being picked up. They don't try to run away while you are holding they so much as they try to investigate everything. They beg for food and will jump from the ground to catch pinkies off tongs. So from my limited experience that is what i have found. Don't Get me wrong I love my timors and they are very cool but from what you have said based on what I have seen ackies are your best bet.
Good Luck
Steve

If you are pressed for space, don't get a monitor. Especially more than one, as you will most likely have to seperate them at some point.
Having said that, I agree that a 4x2 usually works.
Good Luck

Im not pressed for space... but there is no way in hell i can have a 15 foot enclusore in my house...
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Hahaha! 15' isnt THAT big!