Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I really want this Water Monitor that we recently got in at my work. However I realized that they get far too big for me!
With this in mind I started to do some further research. I was in search of a monitor that had a relatively same personality of the Water Monitor but only grew to no more than 4 feet in size. I have been lead to believe that the Dumerils Monitor is going to be my best bet. I have also heard good things about the Argus...however I am leaning more towards the Dumerils. Ackies are too small.
This is going to be my "pet" Im not just going to make it a breeding machine.
Any more information you could give me on the Dumerils monitors would be greatly appreciated.
Are they swimmers?
Would they appreciate a big water bowel?
Will they chase fish?
What would be a good weekly diet?
Substrate?
Im guessing soil like most other monitors.
Cage size is going to be 4x8x4.

What would be a good breeder to get my monitor from?

Thanks for looking
--Cody

it would be good advice for you to steer clear of argus monitors. i'm not exactly sure what you mean by the personality of a water monitor, but an Argus is equivalent to a 10 year old kid with ADHD.

Dumerils typically have good temperaments. they are part arboreal, aquatic, and terrestrial. they will benefit from a cage that has all the above. they will gladly eat fish, shrimp, crawfish, and rodents. contact me for a good website for Dumeril monitors. if i post it here they'll delete my post.

cheers

check out www.roughneckmonitors.com

Actually, if you're looking for an animal that will get around 4 feet, you could almost just get that water monitor. Personally, I feel that monitor size is exaggerated, and there's a good chance the water monitor will stay around 4 feet. Then again it could get 9 feet. But I highly doubt it.

this is true. all you have to do to keep the water monitor under 4 feet and weigh about the same as a dumerils monitor is never feed it. it can't grow if it doesn't eat. of course i don't recommend that.

We agree Shay, Reptiles have a range of adult size. This depends on genetics and potential. In nature they can only grow to what the conditions allow. Poor conditions/lots of competition equals smaller adults. Plentiful conditions/lack of competition equals larger adults(based on their genetic potential)

In captivity, I would hope we strive for average or above conditions. Of course actual results may not reflect that. But at least we should try.

So yes, as far as I can tell, all common water monitors(salvator) will grow over 4 feet in total length, under average or better conditions. Cheers

hi all,

in my case, i have raised 3 salvators to adulthood. from hatchling to end of 1st year, they reach 4 feet in less than perfect conditions. females can and do reach 6 feet. my 4 year old male is 42.5 lbs and aprox 7 feet long. he is not obese, able to run full speed and belly held high off ground.
seems to be even smaller salvator variants such as nuchalis or togianus grow much larger than their wild counterparts.
heres a pic of a 6 foot female...

cheers,

-john

www.cybersalvator.com

John, I have just recently started visiting this forum in the hopes of making some good contacts. I checked out your site, or at least what you have completed thus far. Looks like you still have a bit to go but it looks like it will rock when you get it going. I have already saved it to my favorites and look forward to watching it grow. Hurry up!

Your upbeat and friendly attitude made a good first impression and since i am a big salvator fan, I might ask you to contact me via email. I have a few questions for you and may possibly be of assistance to you. thanks, Don

Great monitors even if they lose their great baby colors.

IF however, I could only have one monitor, I would have to go with an argus. Not too big, not too small and lots of great attitude. But thats just me.

Wow! Lots of great information and its only been a day since I posted. Everything here is greatly appreciated. I think I am going to go with the Dumerils. I would love to have that water monitor if it only got to 4 foot. I dont like the idea of providing an animal with poor conditions and a low food intake just so it'll stay small for me.

Cage for Dumeril? 8x4x4 be ok?

Thanks
--Cody

Yes, 8x4x4 would be fine.

Awesome!
I should be starting construction on it very soon!

Thanks
--Cody

have any pictures of Dumerils Enclosures?

What should I use to seal the wood?

Thanks
--Cody.