Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I purchased a baby Argus monitor about two months ago - I have recently noticed that the tail is cracking in seems to be bleeding a bit. I have the Argus in a large ventelateed cage - I keep the cage near my furnace which I think may be decreasing the humidity to much. I soaked him yesterday in a large water bin.
Any advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Tom

you are running a beef jerky machine. the animal is severely hydrated, and you have some serious problems.

you need to re-evaluate your cage and husbandry. use a moist substrate like a good soil, or at least cypress mulch, limit the venting of the cage significantly, as well as address any other husbandry concerns like water, temps, diet, etc.

best of luck.
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robyn@proexotics.com

Pro Exotics Reptiles

Robyn meant to say that it is severly de-hydrated. You want a small vent on the side for a bit of ventilation, not a screen top. You also need deep substrate that holds humidity and that it can burrow into to. It also sounds like you are keeping it by the furnace as a source of heating. Not a good idea as a home heating unit is too volatile. Keep the enclosure somewhere the ambiant heat will be more constant and rely on a good basking light to heat the cage.

Thank you both for the information.
I have moved the Argus from that room - My thought was that the temp would stay relatively warm i.e 85-90. I have a basking light set up. I use Cypres mulch as a base. I am going to transfer him into a much larger enclosure this weekend 5' long 3.5' high and 3' wide and will include soil in the half the cage in a large bin. The current cage I have him in is a screen ccage 3' high and 2' wide and 2' long. I have plexi glass going up about a third in order to protect him from rubbing on the wire.

I have green tree pythons and Australian and Frilled Dragons and have never run into any problems.

Thank you again for the information and I will change the care ASAP.