Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello all, I just purchased my first monitor! Don't worry, I've worked with reptiles almost my whole life so I know what I'm getting into. I won't be able to get him until the temps warm up a bit here up north, but the seller provided me with some adorable pictures of my little guy/girl. I've named this little melinus Pollux, after one of the twin stars in the constellation Gemini. Just thought I'd show him off a bit!



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1.1.0 Leopard Geckos (Booger & Gimp)
1.0.0 Veiled Chameleon (Lucutis)

If you really knew what you were getting into, you would not choose V. melinus as your first monitor, would you? First of all, melinus is a poorly known island species with a limited range. All melinus available is the US are imports. So why keep such a species in captivity if you have no intention of breeding them? Why not a species that is truly captive bred with wild populations that are not in jeopardy?

Dealers who label melinus as "best pet monitors" are ignorant, or just greedy scumbags. They are shy and reclusive. When kept in a lousy setup and force handled, they may appear 'tame' and calm. They are much more demanding captives than species that are generally considered good first monitors. If you have been doing any research at all, you should know that Ackies are considered to be the best choice for a first monitor.

Myself and others have tried to persuade you not to choose melinus as your first monitor, clearly you are quite stubborn and it is apparently too late to change your mind, so I wish you luck.

Too many people arguing, stop the hate! lol. She already knows where to go if she needs any help about her monitor, so i'm going to say what i think should really be said.

Congratulations on a very beautiful monitor!! I hope that you will enjoy this monitor throughout it's life and be very happy with him/her. Again i say, congratulations.

Adam

After the way people have reacted to her on this forum she will not come here for advice. All she was doing was sharing a picture of the monitor that she is going to buy, like any proud owner would do. So many people think that if you care ("love" your monitor that you are not providing adequate housing for them. I guess they think that either you love your monitor and deny it the proper housing or you own your monitor and give it correct housing. I don't see why it is so hard to believe that people can love their monitors and house them properly. To everyone out there who wants a monitor get one, find the one that you want learn about it, house it, make sure you can afford it, and get it. There are many people that think you are under qualifeid to own such reptiles. Oh well just my opinion. please everyone stop being mean and help her get her housing and lighting and everything else she needs befor the little one gets there instead of trying to talk a woman out of getting something she has her mind set on, those of you who are married know what I mean

Christina

That is all I was trying to do with my original post. Just wanted to share with fellow monitor enthusiasts my new little addition. Had I known it would explode into such a debate on my abilities to care for it, I do not believe I would have posted.

By the way, I still think that is a gorgeous water monitor you have there!
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1.1.0 Leopard Geckos (Booger & Gimp)
1.0.0 Veiled Chameleon (Lucutis)

Here is one of my Quince monitors, pulling it out of hide spot to go give a bath...

why does it need a bath?
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Treemonitors.com

I feel it gives me time work with my monitors, getting them to understand I am not a threat to them. This has proven with most species that handling can “tame” the monitor. I also use it as a way to clean and loosen any dead skin. I keep cage humidity levels up, but it is in my opinion a good way to make sure as dead skin on toes or tip of tail allegedly can later cut off circulation. Also I just like the ability to see a cleaner looking monitor. I use peat to keep humidity levels high and this can build up on skin if not bathed. So I have many reasons.
Shane Reaume

Well, it is dirty.
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Ed