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My Niles look as if they might be a pair. Lately I've begun the process of introducing them. I've been leary of doing so because they have displayed aggressive behavior toward one another in the past.

I keep them in a room, one in a cage and the other has run of the room. Afew weeks ago, I left the cage door open while I was in and out of the room feeding and changing water. They usually stay hidden when this is going on so it was business as usual for the next couple weeks except for the fact that the one in the cage had stopped eating and I was not seeing the female, the one in the cage nor was I seeing any sign of activity in the cage. So I dug up the dirt, no lizard. For two weeks she was out of the cage in the room with the male. I found her wedged between the wall and the back of the cage. (next post)

The male stays back there pretty often but had'nt been lately. However I had seen him under the cage, it's raised off the floor, looking up at where she was hiding. This should have clued me, along with not eating and no sign in the cage but I'm pretty dense. I easily lured her out with a large mouse and returned her to her cage. Since she was unharmed, no bites scratches etc. and the larger male could easily have gotten her any time I'v been leaving the cage open more often.

Today the male took over the cage. He is currently resting in her burrow and she is back behind the cage. The problem is that if I actually do have a pair the female now has no nesting site. I have piles of cypress mulch over some rock caves but no dirt. I had been planning to fill a large kiddie pool with dirt when the weather gets warmer (now it has) so the male could burrow. The room has 2 of everything else. Should I leave things as they are and make a nest site outside of the cage or return Her to the cage and give the boy some dirt? I have a feeling he'll just keep taking it over the cage.
thanks
Roger

Judging by what you have written, it sounds as though you are not sure that you do have a pair(male+female). As of now, I can determine that you have two Nile monitors loose (open cage)in the room which is sort of set up for monitors to live. Keep in mind, that if you are lacking the deep dirt, your enclosure is lacking a very important provision.
I would cage them both, move them out(of the room)and start over. If the room is what you have to offer, start by waterproofing the floor and walls. Put in some plumbing connected to a tub in the room. Dig up or buy some type of dirt to cover the floor 2-3' deep. I'll accept that you have the basking correct. This is just my opinion- you will want to get Franks... if you are trying to breed. It sounds as though right now you are planning out their (her?) nesting site etc. Provide what they want and need and let them do the rest. Come to think of it, I hope this is what you were asking or at least close...Pour me another- Best to you- Mike

The floor and walls are waterproofed and the water pans, which are small kiddie pools, are raised and easily drained with a sophon. there is a bathroom adjacent to the room. The only thing missing as far as I can tell is dirt outside of the cage and as I said that's on the way soon. The cage itself is sectioned off. The whole cage is 8' long, 4' wide, and 4' tall. 5' x 4' has dirt 2' deep. The room has 2 basking areas, 2 water pans and I plan on adding more basking areas. I'm sure I'm lacking in some areas but I certainly have no intention of starting over. I can separate them when I need to. Don't get me wrong I obviously need advice and any input is always welcomed. I should have provided more detail about the setup. Thanks.

Roger

I guess it's really a question of behavior. I'm not going in to temps and humidity since these have been gone over a gazillion times and If I have'nt provided them by now, after reading almost every post on this and other fora for the past four months then I would really have problems. I know they need dirt and I know this dirt must be acceptable for a female monitor to nest properly. Also I have an idea that this is a trial and error thing with the dirt and nesting. If I'm wrong maybe someone will correct me.

The situation is as I said, judging by physical characteristics, which are, One grew much more rapidly than the other and has 2 large bulges on either side of the base of the tail just below the vent. This one is more massive than the other especially in the head and neck. (next post)

The other has no bulges.
The first time the 'female' escaped into the room, I did not observe any contact between the two and in fact did not even know she was loose. After 2 weeks not a scratch on her. This time, same thing. The male took over the burrow in the cage and has been in and out of the cage for 2 days now. The female stays behind and on top of the cage. Both are eating and there are plenty of hides, basking areas, and water pans for both.
Since those who have real, longtime experience say it's about allowing these animals to achieve life events, and a part of these life events has something to do with social interaction, and breeding is the major one. should'nt I allow this if possible, even if it turns out that I do not have a breeding pair?
I'm sure it's possible that down the road I'm risking injury to my animals and I'm sure it's possible that one could deprive the other of certain necesities. Obviously I would separate the two if this became the case. I would like to hear some experiences on this matter, good and bad to get an idea of the possibilities. I have a plan but I would like to get some input on this and rethink my plan if necessary.
thanks
Roger

There is a problem with this, males often get buddies. That is become good friends with other males. I have seen this many many times, where males pair up with other males.

It appears the introduction process, is not sex related.

The good part is, they are getting along. The rest will take care of itself. Cheers

Nil’s have so many enemies to ward off, it’s practical to have bodies, especially when you have to fight hyenas to pick on lions leftovers.

Photo from tourist in Kenya, several nil’s where feeding on wilder beast carcase, apparently holding there own against hyenas.

Who said no red meat for monitors? dang that was me!

np

Hey Thanks Fellas. The big one (male?) is hanging out on top of the cage right next to where the other is hiding. Last night I was sitting quietly in the room and the big boy came out and wandered around a while then climbed up behind the cage where the other (female?) is hiding. I heard a little hiss as the big guy passed her by. He just went on his way past to the top and went to sleep. He is still right by her. I'm going to make a big nesting box on top of a 6' round kiddie pool just in case i get lucky and have a pair. Thanks again.

Roger

You put this camera pic on my preferate monitor specie post to lure me, say it. Hahaha!
Take care!

Hey Jobi. What happened? I saw the picture of the Nile and the carcass earlier today.

Roger