Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey guys,

I picked up a "special" Quience Monitor from Ben Siegal. This one looks different from most hatchlings. It is more yellow and a different pattern. I would bet it is a different locale. I see ones like this one pop up every so often. I will have to take some pics. Really cool. Loving it.

Anywho, I have kept a number of different Monitors with no problem and do not expect that this one will be any different but I just thought I would ask for some tips (any will be appriciated) and maybe a link to a care sheet. He is doing well and for now he is feeding well on crickets. I plan on giving him some ground and suplemented turkey, some "Monitor Bites", and later on an occasional rodent. How does that sound to you guys? I would like to keep him on say 80% incects. What are some other incects that he might except and would be good for him? I have his hot spot around 110 F. Sound good? I could go higher. He has cool spots as low as 68 or so. Like I said, I am sure everything will be fine but it never hurts to get others opinions or catch up on a good care sheet for good measure.

Thanks for any help and Happy Holidays to all of you!

Kevin

To avoid any confusion this is a V. melinus. I know all this has been brought up before but it can't hurt to ask. Someone may be able to shed some new light for me.

Thanks!

Anyone with some advise for me??

Thanks for any help and Merry Christmas to all!!

care isn't any different than any other monitor. you could use the husbandry outlined in the Savannah monitor book by Ravi and Bennett and do just fine. for melinus in particular, i would be sure there are lots of very secure, dark, tight hide spots.

i just updated the Turkey Diet FAQ at our site, to point out an important detail that most folks miss, check that out at the link below.

up the temps, change your diet, bring your husbandry up to current monitor norms would be a good start. i hope you are familiar with the melinus, they make poor captives.
Turkey Diet info and new FAQ updates

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robyn@proexotics.com

Pro Exotics Reptiles

Thanks Robyn!

Why are they poor captives? He seems to be doing quite well. I have him on a mixture of spagnum moss and bed a beast with a little cypress mulch. Lots of hides and a good bit of temp range. I will look over the link you sent.

Thanks for your time and help!

Kevin

What ratio of whole rodents to insects would you suggest? How many a week? I will raise the temps. How does 130 sound? Would you suggest he has this hot spot 24 - 7 or should I have it on a timer so he gets a few hours of cooler temps per night?

Thanks again!

Kevin

130F would be a good start for a basking spot, make sure it is large enough to bask the entire animal.

our basic diet is 6 days a week, 4 days insects, 2 days rodents. fewer days as growth matures, more rodents than insects. basic stuff, layed out in our Water caresheet.

melinus are flighty, secretive, don't like to be handled, need a larger cage and space than most, and if set up properly, may not be seen regularly. LOTS of folks have gotten them, i couldn't tell you a single satisfied keeper off the top of my head.

captive babies are available widely and at a good price. that part is great. too bad it isn't a decent captive species...
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robyn@proexotics.com

Pro Exotics Reptiles

Thanks Robyn,

Hopefully I will be happy with it. He/she is out basking in the day and does not seem in the least bit fased by me looking in at him. At night he borrows in the bedding and is not to be seen. I do not regularly handle ANY of my reptiles. I do not feel that ANY reptile "likes" to be handled and for the most part are better if left alone. I look at them more like fish in an aqurium than a true "lap" style pet. If he hangs out and is seen now and again, then I will be pleased. If he eats and thrives, I will be pleased. I do not ask more of them than that.

Thanks again and Merry Christmas!

I am heading out to a party now but when time allows, I plan to give your site and it's contents a good read. You really seem to be a great source of good husbandry info. I hope all is going well for you and yours back in Co. Take care!

I got him a pick mouse today and he took it from my fingers and got it down in just a few seconds.

I would guess he is a few months old. I got him last week.

Raised temps to 140f hot spot with low of 70. on the cool end.