Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just found out that Timor Monitors grow to only about 20 inches. I am just wondering now how come they are not more common at pet stores and stuff? Are they any cons about the Timor monitor compared to the other species of monitors? Thanks.

The only reason that you don't see timors in pet stores as much as niles, waters, savs, etc. is because they are just not quite as heavily imported. The ones you do see, however, are usually wild caught.

And, yes, there are several cons about timors. While they are a nice size, they are quite prone to the "empty cage syndrome" and being shy. Not only does this make them not so fun to own, but it increases difficulty of care because it makes it difficult to monitor their health. Then of course, there is the factor of being wild caught. So, unless you are confident in and have tested your husbandry, and wouldn't mind an empty cage, I would not suggest a timor monitor to anybody. If you ever were to find a true captive bred timor, it would cost almost as much or the same as a yellow ackie. People might as well spend their money on a monitor they will enjoy.

Cheers,
Ryan

Timors aren't a whole lot of fun unless you have lots of patience. It took something like two years for mine to settle down enough for me to watch them do most normal things. I would strongly recomend yelow ackies over timors, they are more fun plain simple, and will probably hold your interest better.

Steve

thanks for answering my question but wat do u mean by empty cage syndrome?

It is just a commonly used term that means they are very shy and flighty. Thus, you rarely get to see them and are left with an empty cage. It is by no means some sort of health related syndrome, just kind of "slang" term used in the monitor world (whether it is exclusively here or not, I don't know). Another one would be the "beef jerky machine," which just summarizes what most beginners' cages do. They used a huge wattage of bulb in a open topped cage, which dehydrates the cage and eventually the animal, just like a jerky machine.

Cheers,
Ryan