Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My girlfriend loves the Nile Monitors. She says they look very dragonesque. The only problem is that I already take care of a Boa Constrictor and she is a bit small to take care of an animal to grow to that size. I am trying to find an alternative monitor or other species of lizard that has the same look as the Nile Monitor but on a slightly smaller scale. If anyone here could suggest something for me to look into it would be greatyl appreciated. Thank you and take care!

Widj

The simple answer would be to then look into other smaller monitors. There are plenty to choose from and they all are similar in having dragonlike features. But it could be a size issue where only the big bulky monitor will do. I hope that is not the case cause many people start off that way until they realize all the work that comes with it. In anycase I wouldn't say to start off with a nile if it is your first monitor.

Here are two of my niles, pretty as they might be they do not enjoy being handled.

She's not in it for the size of the monitor. She just loves the way it looks. With the long skinny neck. heh She thinks it's very dragonesque. She knows the time that goes into taking care of a large herp. My Boa is just under 10 feet and I have to change his water daily, clean out his substrate and generaly make sure that he is a happy camper. She would preffer something a tad smaller. No longer than about 4 feet fully grown. (That does include the tail) ANd something that won't be quite as agressive as the nile, the she knows that she will need to have daily contact with it to keep it as docile as possible.

Whitethroat and Blackthroat monitors are awlays a good choice. If you are looking for a bigger monitor that will grow to be very docile, you really can not go wrong with them. Here's one of my male Whitethroats.
Rob Faust
Link

If size is the issue then I would consider one of the dwarf species. Varanus acanthurus "Ackies" only grow to approx. 2 feet long (half of that is tail) but they look just like the big monitors. There are many kinds of monitors that range in size from
1 foot to 6 feet. You need to define your size constraints first.

Dumerils's(brown rough necks)are slender,about 4' long including long thin tails,are usually very docile(unlike crazy Niles)and enjoy tall cages for climbing.They have the long neck,snout dragon like qualities without the dragon like tempers.My Dumi girl is a calm,great monitor.

I love this species, and have NEVER been biten one.
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Greg Holland
GM HERPS
www.imageevent.com/gmherps
gmherps@sbcglobal.net

Any good place for information on the Dumeril? I'm unable to find much information on the net about them. Or can you point me to any breeders who may be able to provide me with more information on them? Thank you very much!

Widj