Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,
This is going to be my first monitors and I have these as potential pets. Mangrove, Blackroughneck, or a Savannah the only problem is that I don't know which one to choose. So can you guys please help me?

Thanks,
-Alex

What are you looking for out of this monitor? Give some examples of pets you have had before and what you like, and dissliked about them. If you share a little about yourself it will help to get the best one for you, or even if a monitor is a good pet for you.

Well I would like to have a monitor that is tameable and would be easy to interact with. I know these monitors have the ability to be 3ft and both will have a 6' cage or bigger. I would also like for it to be highly intelligent, but not as smart as a croc monitor. I mostly keep snakes but I was always interested in monitors.

All of those animals have the potential to exceed 3 feet and will require a cage larger than 6 feet. You may wan't to consider a different type.

Thats why I said 6' cage OR BIGGER.

That's good, you may need it for any of those monitors, especially the mangrove or albig.

Well then should I go with a Mangrove, Savannah, or a Blackroughneck Monitor? The blackrough neck is not a albig, it is a rudi.

You seem to have some idea about how smart monitors are. Unfortunately, I am not aware that anyone knows which species is smarter then another. Or even which individuals are smarter. I am not sure anyone can settle of a test that could/would determine this.

I have kept many species thru many generations, including croc monitors. I must not be all that smart, as they all seem to have about the same intelligence. Some species express it a little and I do mean little, differently. But all including the smallest seem to be about the same.

Also, in my humble opinion, and this is not being mean and of no offense. If you cannot decide which would be better for you, then you should wait until you understand enough to make that personal decision on your own.

You may be better to ask for information about each species your interested in. Such important things like, are they captive bred?(better chances of adapting to captivity and better health) Are they flighty, will they run away if they get loose? Do they require the use of large amounts of water? I mention this as it becomes a terrible pain in the behind to constantly tend to water problems for long periods of time. Let me explain. I have a 22 year old Male Lace montior. If I had to change and keep clean large amounts of water for that period of time, I can guarantee he would not have lived that long. At least not here. hahahahahahaha Some things wear on a keeper after long periods of time. Good luck

I never thought of it like that. Well since Mangroves are semi-aquatic and seem to be the most skittish and more high maintenance then my other selections then I am going to have to cross it off the list. As for roughnecks, how is thier temperment? I know they need floor space as well as height, but will they tolerate me handling them and such? As for the Sav. how active are they? Do they come out more then a blackroughneck or they just like to sleep?

Also all monitors are as active as eachother, that is, if they are supported and are in good health. Savs can be as active as anyother monitor, but they make great monitors for the newer keepers because they are not super fast.

Some monitors are so fast at running that most people could not catch a nice healthy individual.

Savs are not near the fastest, but they are plenty fast enough to give you a run for your money.

The truth is, its all about health. And health is about temperatures as monitors are cold blooded, which means they depend on outside sources to attain the heat they need. Good luck

I think I am going to go with a Sav since they seem to be good for a person who wants a mid-sized monitor. Thanks for all of your guys' input.

That's a great choice. If I were you I would take the time to find a healthy, cb individual. This is going to be a little more difficult and expesive, but def. worth it.

Why don't people suggest Mangrove monitors as a beginner species?

Mangrove's can grow large, and are inclined to be flighty and aggressive. A women named Holly used to have a BIG mangrove that appeared to be really calm so there are always exceptions to the rule.

I apologize for confusing black roughnecks and blackthroats, that's what happens when I do a drive by post. I do know the difference and I have kept rudi's. I really like them, but they can stress pretty easy when young and grow larger than 3 feet.

The problem recomending a monitor is there are so many reasons keep monitors. Each person seems to have a unquie idea of what a captive monitor is suppose to be.

Often, like possibly your case, people ask about a "Pet" monitor. There are not many species that qualify for that. In fact, none. There are individuals that will turn out as pets. Those individuals can come from many species.

Consider, there maybe more "pet" savs then other species, but then consider, they are imported by the tens of thousands. So by percentage, they do not fair very well.

How they become pets is sometimes because of the keeper and sometimes the monitors individual mentality(brain dead)

Most monitors can be good captives, which is not to be confused with a good pet. That is, most are great to watch and study and to enjoy them being monitors. Some species are not good pets and are not good captives. But that does not stop some people from liking them.

In the end, its more about you the individual keeper then it is about species. Thats why do not get recomendations that you would like. Only you can decide, afterall, only you will be keeping a monitor.

In my opinion, Savs do not make good starter pet monitors. But thats my opinion. The reason I say this is. Monitors handle stress differently, and sometimes by species and individuals. Melinus, rudis, indicus, and to a lesser degree Savs, internalize stress. That is, they do not express it outwardly. This causes them harm and makes them prone to all sorts of maladies.

In my opinion, the gouldi complex is the best for a midsized monitor. The reason is, they are not prone to biting, and they externalize stress. That is, if you scare one, it will react outwardly. If you do not feed it enough, it will eat your hand the next time you feed. They will beg like a dog. And chase you all over for food. You can train them to do flips(ask Rsg) And they are as entertaining as any species out there. And entertainment is what keeps you interested. If you are bored with an animal, it does not recieve your full attention. So, I like the gouldi complex, Goulds, Desert sands, argus, and all the crosses between them. The only problem with this complex is, they are faster runners like the indicus and Rudis. Cheers

Thanks FR for the post made me think a lot. As for the Gould complex, I thought that Argus' are extremely hyper and are difficult to tame. What other monitors have that "Gould Complex"?

Well I have changed my mind and found some yellow ackies(I won't say who until he gives me the okay) but I was wondering what makes and ackie an ackies? What makes them so great to have?