What are the smallest or easiest to care for monitors. Something small would be ideal because we don't have tons of space.
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Smallest/easiest monitors
abcat1993
Nov 05, 2006 05:29 PM
Replies (5)
holygouda
Nov 05, 2006 07:46 PM
ackies
Varanids_Rock
Nov 05, 2006 07:55 PM
This tells us that you have not researched enough to own a monitor. If you still have to ask which is easiest to care for, then you aren't ready.
Anyway, there are a load of tiny (relative to other monitors) monitors in the sub-genus odatria, or dwarf monitors. The one that is probably the only one you are willing to pay for would be ackies (Varanus acanthurus). Timor monitors may be cheaper and similar sized, but they are all (well 99%) wild caught. They are also very shy and can be agressive. You may be able to find some other dwarf varanids priced similarly to ackies (possibly Storrs monitors), or for a bit more, but ackies are the most readily available.
abcat1993
Nov 05, 2006 08:38 PM
I was just trying to narrow it down, because like you said, there are a ton of different monitors. Although I guess I could have done some more research.
Varanids_Rock
Nov 05, 2006 09:33 PM
It is good that you are researching on the animal before you got it. Sorry I jumped on you like that.
Oh yeah, when I said that Timor monitors can be agressive, I meant defensive. Actually, all monitors (really all animals) can be defensive, even ones that are supposed to take well to handling, like ackies. Timor monitors are just more prone to being shy and defensive than others. It all depends on the individual animal.
holygouda
Nov 05, 2006 10:37 PM
If you want something that will be somewhat mellow, look into ackies. Timor monitors are cheap but I would not recommend them for beginners. I had one and it was so insanely wild it would end up just being a display lizard. The problem was that he was buried most of the time so it ended up being an empty cage display. They would be okay if you had no desire to interact with them.
Like he said, ackies will be the cheapest and easiest to find of the small(dwarf) monitors. They are known to be pretty handleable, look pretty sweet, are small and relatively cheap. It also depends what you mean by small...less than 2 feet, less than 4 feet, less than 10 feet? If I had a thousand bucks lying around, and was looking for a small monitor Id get a Varanus pilbarensis. Good luck dude.
