Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was wondering if an adult black tree monitor can be housed in a tank that is sized 48 x 18 x 20? Thanks.

No, that is too small. Questions like that are also a dead give away that you aren't ready for that species. I mean no offense, black trees are not easy to keep. Try yellow ackies, use a bigger cage than that if you can. a 4ft horse trough isn't much bigger but it would be a better choice. Yellow ackies are also more fun to keep than black trees anyway.

Steve

The mere fact that that you said "tank" tells me that you have very little experience with monitors and these are not a species for beginners. Aquariums are horrible choices for all species of varanids. Due to their screen tops they retain almost no humidity and temperatures are difficult to regulate. Not to mention space problems. A single black treemonitor, in my opinion, should be kept in an enclosure no smaller than 4'x2'x6'. These guys are very active and require a lot of room. V. beccarii is also a very difficult species to acclimate. They require lots of humidity and dehydrate easily. I have had a pair for almost six months and they have not even left their quarantine enclosures yet. Try with an easy species such as an ackie or a timor before attempting such a feat. In fact, I would be sure to have a few years worth of experience with multiple species before attempting to keep a V. beccarii.

-Stephen

Thanks for letting me know. You just gave me a reality check. Question though...I was interested in the Timor but everyone quickily told me that they are very flighty and nervous. They told me that I would not have any fun having a Timor because it will be hiding most of the time. Is all that completely true about the Timor Monitor? Thanks again for your responses.

Like with any monitor it will take time. Treemonitors are also labeled as flighty, however, my pair have become so acustomed to my presence that they barely mind slight handling. Timors are definetely easier to care for than most other varanids. I house mine in a 3'x2'2' waterproof wooden enclosure. There is a pane of acrylic on the front and built in lighting for both light purposes and heat purposes. A timor is a good starter monitor. Try obtaining a captive bred or a long term captive animal, this will make keeping it even easier. Time will eventually allow the animal to become used to you and it may even feed off tongs if given enough time. Hope this helps.

-Stephen

I don't know I really got started with timor types and if I had it to do over I would have skipped them and done ackies. Ackies are are just so much more out going and easy to learn than timors. I would consider timors much more difficult because they always hide and it can be difficult to gauge how they are doing. This is especially tough when its one of your first monitors. You certainly can do it, (I did) but I really would have learned more and had more fun with ackies. I do love timors, but they will test your patience.

Steve

As Vboehmei said, it would take time. I would much more recommend an ackie over a timor. However, that is not to say getting a "tame" timor is impossible. It definitely is possible, with any monitor. It is just going to come easier with some species than others.

But, then there is the other factor of just about all of them being wild caught. Also, you have no past experience with monitors, and since timors are initially shy, it will be difficult to monitor and listen to your animal to adjust your husbandry accordingly. However, if you can find a true captive bred timor, it may be almost as good of a choice as an ackie. Being captive bred, it has no memory of the wild, and has not suffered the stresses of being imported. Therefore, it will be less likely to be shy and will be healthier (hopefully). But, the chances of finding a real captive bred timor are slim.

Ackies are almost always available, and exclusively captive bred. Ackies are also very less likely to be shy, and I believe care is slightly more straightforward.

I don't want to completely deter you from getting a timor, but I just truly think you will enjoy an ackie or a pair/trio of ackies so much better. Just my opinion...

Cheers,
Ryan