Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have two crocodile monitors, one about 10'' SVL and another about 14'' SVL. I'm toying with different ideas about the new enclosures I'm about to build, and I have a question. Would it be possible to put these two together? Size wise, they're pretty close so I'm not worried about one eating the other, however I know that these can be territorial(especially males) so I don't want a confrontation. Since they're both juveniles, I was wondering how it would work. Any ideas?

They might get along great, or they might try to kill each other. All you could do is give it a try. I would go as big as possible so they can get away from each other. Other than that, nobody, not even you can predict how they will act.

Thanks for the reply. I did try it out and placed them together as an experiment. There was no aggression, however the smaller one seemed to be afraid and uncomfortable and stayed submerged in the water pan for quite some time. Now the question is, should I removed the smaller one or will he get used to the larger one? They've been together for a couple of days now with no aggression whatsoever. The smaller one still seems uncomfortable so I'll probably be removing him this evening.

Matt

When working with behavior, there is no one answer, there is only temporary decisions.

Its called "working" with animals. The reason its said your working with with them is, they constantly change. They are living animals for gosh sakes. There is no set them up and go.

When keeping monitors together in groups or pairs, you must understand, it does not have to be permanent(this word does not exsist in nature) And because its in captivity(small cage) You as a keeper must intervene when necessary.

Monitors are very very behavioral. They form their behavior on their current conditions. If they are solitary, they then trust being solitary. If they are raised in pairs or groups, they then trust those they were raised with and trust and perfer the group.

Then one must understand, time and age, effect all behaviors. That means, behavior changes with age. This is constant with all living animals and monitors are no different.

So if you have young animals, they tend to be more socially pliable. If you have old animals, they tend to be set in their ways. All of this is common sense(that many academics do not have).

So with some understanding of the above(behavior) only you can make your decisions. This is the gamble you took when you decided to work with animals. Then the greater gamble when you decided to work with Croc monitors. Mind you, croc monitors are no different then other monitors, and in fact, slighly more forgiving, but they do have huge weapons to inflict lots of damage and do so very quickly. In other words, you paid the pipper, now you have to listen to your own music.

Sometimes you get lucky and things go well, for a while, the question is, whats awhile. Cheers