Like I said in the previous post: Niles Water = Pain in your ass.
FR is right that monitors only dig/hunt/etc for a purpose, but just because an animal makes itself a burrow, dosnt mean its content with what it has. It may still want, as FR said, to have escape burrows, or just more chambers to allow it to extend its underground range. And no matter what the situation, bigger IS better in caging- these guys may not leave an area that provides what they need, but they still have the OPTION of leaving that area... simply put: a larger cage provides the oppurtunity for more tools that the monitor needs/wants (ie, hides, more substrate, temp. gradients, a larger water feature, etc) to be provided.
In captivity, the area is rather limited and a large monitor can easily whip a clawful or 3 of dirt into its water situation, which for all intensive purposes is a stagnant pool, and pretty much turns it into a big mud hole. Some people incorporate drains into their water features to make this easier, but from my experience with that sorta thing, clogging often occurs. Ive had good luck using a siphon from a motor parts store- first clear all feces and as much dirt as possible (I use a small brine shrimp net from Petco),takes about 15 minutes total, but thats nothing really to provide your animal with fresh, clean water. You personally want to be careful with this process though, as that water likely contains TONS of bacteria and other nastiness that you dont wanna come in contact with- ALWAYS WASH YOUR HANDS! lol
Water features should be large enough for the animal to fit its entire body into (at least with Niles). Id suggest placing a rock or 2 inside the dish to avoid tipping, and also, avoid placing the water dish directly on the substrate: alotta times, your animal will use that as a base to burrow under and theres a good chance itll end up A. spilling the water everywhere or B. crushing itself (if rocks were in to avoid spillage). They really are amazing swimmers, so I try to give my guy as big a pool as possible to make use of.
From what you're telling me (have a Sav, looking at a Nile) Im afraid you might be getting yourself in over your head.
Dont take any offense to this- its great you're interested in monitors!
... but, at the same time, Savs and Niles are typically bought for one reason: price tag.
They are cheaper than other species, most under $50... well, thats not what you should be looking at here.
You have children and children like to touch things, lol.
These animals may seem sweet as lil guys, but they WILL get bigger. Take a look around this forum at some of the big guy pics and say to yourself "Would I want my young son/daughter near that thing on a daily basis?"
Why not take a look at a smaller, less aggresive species? Save some money in the long run and take a look at Ackies.
Their housing/feeding/care requirements arent nearly as demanding as a Niles, especially not in the long run.
Lemme put it this way: An Ackie will never grow over 3' long (imagine what youll save on housing), they are smaller and thus eat less (saving money on food) and they are relatively handleable (saving money on medical expenses)....
A Nile will grow over 4' in the first year (spending money on large enclosure), are large and eat ALOT (daily feedings; expect to pay over $1,000 per year on feeder rats/mice alone!), and are typically feisty, mean-spirited, and aggressive (ie, ready to mess you up, lol).
The difference between the 2 that throws most people off?
A Nile costs less than $30... An Ackie costs closer to $300.
Think it over, but realize that for a one time expenditure, youd be saving alot of money, time and stress....
Otherwise, Good luck!
