Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi I have been searching for a few days all over the internet for info on them but have turned up little. I need info on their humidity needs, temps for their terrrarium, about how big of a cage i should build for when one is of adult size, agressiveness?? and how difficult they are to take care of. I have heard great things so far about them and have been dying to learn about their care to see if I could properly take care of one. If it matters I am only 16 but I plan on working a couple of jobs in the summer to help pay for the cost of maintaining any species I attain. Sorry for the long post but any help would be greatly appreciated!

-matt

I am no monitor expert, but I would recommend researching Mangrove Monitors (Varanus indicus). They are very similar in care to the melinus (so I've been told) and there is a lot more info on indicus than melinus out there. As for aggressiveness, I've only had mine a short while so again I must say I don't have much experience with them, but mine doesn't show intention of biting ever. He's pretty calm when I first pick him up (most likely super scared), but then he gets real wiggly. I've never been pooped on either by him... he just wants to get away. He's also really active every morning to afternoon, then he hides for the rest of the day. Be prepared to have an "empty" cage most of the time if you decide on this species.

There are people here with tons of experience, and I hope they chime in with some helpful info for you. But try not to take any responses too personally, there is no "sugar-coating" here.

Good luck with whatever monitor you choose!

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1.1.0 Leopard Geckos (Booger & Gimp)
1.0.0 Veiled Chameleon (Lucutis)
0.0.1 Quince Monitor (Pollux)

Thank you for your reply this sounds just like the monitor for me, active and tamable. Do you happen to know about how big the yellow, or quince, monitor can grow to be? And as for the adult cage size do they need height for them to climb? lastly would a 6'long 3'wide and 2-3' tall cage work for an adult to be happy? thanks again for your help

-matt

You sound quite mature and intelligent for a sixteen year old, however I don't think anyone with any sense at all, would advise you to acquire a monitor until you are an adult. I don't necessarily mean 18 or any other arbitrary age. It's more about when you are financially independent and can realistically make a commitment to the long term expense and duty of keeping a monitor lizard. For instance, what about when you go off to college?

If your situation is somewhat exceptional, maybe you could consider getting a small species of monitor such as V. acanthurus. That is the species I would recommend to anyone inexperienced with monitors, regardless of their age, or accomplishments in life.

I don't know what you have heard about V. melinus, but they are not appropriate at all for a first monitor. Regardless of what dealers will say, all melinus should be considered wildcaught or 'farm bred'. They will almost definitely harbor internal parasites. Both of my 'CBB' V. melinus have the same protozoan even though I acquired them separately.

They are very shy and secretive. They are not likely to tolerate handling or interaction. Those that think they are prone to being 'tame' are simply ignorant. I think a few factors lead to this ignorance. They are prone to internalize stress and "freeze up" when stressed. Many people interpret that as being tame. If they kept that supposedly tame monitor for any length of time it would end up dead from stress. Another factor is babies are different than adults. Very few people, have actually kept adult melinus. For several years there have been plenty of babies available, yet there don't seem to be many adults around. What does that tell you?

Quince/Yellow monitors are very demanding captives. Every day my melinus consume rodents, chicken peeps, and whole fish from an Asian market everyday. They never seem to get full. Lots of eating means lot of crapping. The always defecate in their water dish. Their water dish is a cement mixing tub with 3 gallons of water. About twice a day I lift the awkward tub containing 3 gallons of nasty poo water out of the cage, ever so carefully carry it and dump it, then wash with hot water from a special hose (fda beverage approved) I have setup outside for this purpose. Sounds like lots of fun huh?

Thanks for your help Neal I didnt realize that the Quince monitor was a demanding species to take care of. I am glad though that i found that out because i would have been really tempted to purchase one if i ever saw one at a reptile expo. Needless to say I should probably start off with ackies to get used to the needs of monitors, and anyways they seem to be a really cool species, and a lot more tolerable of new owners mistakes. Thanks again for your help

-matt

Matt,

That is an extremely mature attitude and I'm sure that it will carry you far in your Varanid-keeping venture. Ackies are definitely more advisable than V. melinus as a first monitor acquisition and you will almost certainly find them to be much easier to accomodate.

Jennifer Guerra
Jungle Gems Exotics
www.JungleGemsExotics.com

>>"Both of my 'CBB' V. melinus have the same protozoan even though I acquired them separately."

Just so you know, they might have passed this to each other by using the same water dish. If you have missed cleaning even one day can pass these very infectious parasites on.

What protozoan is this? Have you tried to treat them? I am just curious because I did not notice any problems with mine and really am curious to the type.

Also what year did you buy yours?

I never said anything about this species being "active and tameable." As I had said, mine is only active for a few hours in the morning/afternoon and then I have an "empty" cage as it hides the rest of the day. As for tameable, mine is definetely not tame. It is only calm when I first handle it because it is scared. I do not handle him often, and don't expect him to become "tame". As Neal said, you sould make sure you are prepared to take care of a monitor for many many years. He has a good point about asking what will happen when you go to college.

As for size, I have heard anything from 4'-6', so a 6' long cage would not be large enough.
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1.1.0 Leopard Geckos (Booger & Gimp)
1.0.0 Veiled Chameleon (Lucutis)
0.0.1 Quince Monitor (Pollux)

Woops sorry I read through your message really quickly. Yea i guess i missed the part where you said "most of the time you will have an empty cage" Thats what happens when your a kid you get too excited thanks for your help

-matt

I think most of the responses here are right on and melinus is probably not a good choice for biginners. I did a lot of research when I had a group of four, that I later sold to focus on geckos. I still am very interested in results from all keepers. I do know of one person that has a very tame Quince monitor, he works at a very big pet store in San Diego County. One person I sold one to responded today with...

"He sure is a looker! Getting more and more yellow! I have him in the house for now until he gets bigger. He has proved himself to be quite the escape artist! On the way home from the post office, I opened the box to check on him and he seemed dead. So I opened the bag, and he flew out and somehow got into the car frame. When I got home I had to take the thing apart. He is a really good eater too! Still pretty fast, and I only handle him in a room with the door shut. Glad the linatus are doing good. Was the bigger female gravid when I sent her? I couldn't tell, but I heared them calling and saw them waving tails before."

This is more typical of the species I am finding and the tame ones I have witnessed are more of an exception, these people handle daily.

I have kept thousands of reptiles and amphibians in my private collection or in a petstore setting, I like the Quince very much but they really are a species for the experienced hobbiest. This includes setting the cage up for easy maintanance, size and enough hide spots. Some people set them up wrong in the first place (i.e. heavy hard to access water dishes), with this the experience can be a head ache. Also if you do not have a safe room to get them out and handle, expect to loose them or not be able to handle them at all.

To sum this up, they can be great captives and fun to work with if that is what you are looking for. But if you are looking for a calm species that is not overactive by nature, I would say look for something else.
Shane

This is an extremly boring and anoying species to keep. I would suggest anything but a yellow monitor. Save your money.