Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi I need help with a pair of mamoratis cross water monitors, witch were produced by reptile guru. About three years ago. The male is about six and a half feet and the female about five foot. I got this pair when they were about 18-20" long and have raised them up together ever since. They appear to be bonded, as I keep them in a 7X10' cage and eight nights out of ten they sleep along side of eachother. A year ago the female laid four eggs and two slugs . She was about 3 1/2' long. She appears to be ready to lay again. She is bloated, and the base of her tail is quite constricted. Today, I placed a 2X2X4' nest box in the cage. She immeadiatly entered the box and started digging. I thought the hole was just small enoff for her to fit through, but shortly after the male forced his way inside. Prior to him entering the box I offered him food, but he paid no attention to it. My question is do male water monitors' generally try to consume their own eggs? If not is it ok to let him into the nesting chamber with her? If I'm fortunate enoff to get viable eggs, is 84 degrees the proper incubation temperature, thanks JG.

I have zero experience with water monitors, but my take is to remove the male. The absolute least stress on the female as possible so she can get her job done. I don't know if a male will consume the eggs. I had Argus together and the male did not attempt to eat the eggs, but the female had issues laying w/ him around IMO and dug too many burrows only to have the male come over and harrass her. See what others with some better experience say, but that's my take. I'm superstitious w/ gravid females as i lost one who had an egg rupture within her oviduct.

The males will usually not the eggs if they are fertile. However, because that's such a small nesting area, and it is something new that he may want to investigate - he may also want to dig his own home in there like monitors do! - I would be concerned that he will disrupt her and make her nesting difficult or impossible.
Also - CAN YOU PLEASE POST SOME PICS OF THE CROSSES - I remember when those were available. I love the marmaratus. I came really close to trying to attain some. Sounds like they attained some nice size.

I think reptile guru has bred those crosses they produced a few years back at the shop and have some eggs. Maybe they will have some new babies near the end of the year?

Thanks to all who responded to my questions about my pair of morm. crosses. I dont have another cage large anof to house the male, so this saturday i'll install a partion with a door in the center of ther cage. Hopefully this will give her a chance to lay her eggs. Even if she has held them for to long for a good nestting i'll be ready for the next time. Mike I dont have a digital camera, but hope to be getting one soon. when i get one and figure out how to use it, and post pictures i will. these monitors have a nice high contrast pattern with alot of yellow, especialy the females head.

Okay, but dang I would love to see those pics. Good luck with the nesting.

Okay, thanks!