Reptile & Amphibian Forums

ive been reading post in all the different forums looking for information on which monitor in best for me. im familiar with boas, pythons and iquanas so i know a little bout reptiles i was wondering which is more "docile" i( kno thats a funny word to use with monitors) but is it the sav or ackie. i know its no dog but i dont want and animal that cant take being picked up for cleaning of cage ect i was looking at one or the other for a beginner and maybe down the line getting one of the blue trees.

:Yes a blue tree would be an excellent choice for a novice! I have been keeping monitors for over 30yrs now, at this point I dont keep them any longer. I do have a Bearded Dragon my daugther left behind when she went to college, if I was in Ozz I would let it go where it belongs! where most Monitors belong as well. Big Jim

So is macraei belong in OZ? hahahahahaha

Now i sound like an idiot in my post hahahahahaha

To answer your question, I would say go with an Ackie. I have just recently started getting into monitors with my Ackies and they are nothing short of awesome. It's great to watch their behavior, and they are very tolerant of handling. They are easier to house than savannahs as that are much smaller as adults. They are also more beautiful than savs in my opinion. They do demand a higher price tag, but they are easily worth the money spent. Good luck!
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Roy Blodgett
Green Man Herpetoculture
royreptile@yahoo.com

1.1 Drymarchon corais
0.1 Coluber mormon
1.1 Lampropeltis getula californiae (desert phase)
1.0 Boiga dendrophila dendrophila
0.1 Candoia aspera (red phase)
1.1 Uroplatus henkeli
1.1 Corytophanes cristatus
1.1 Varanus acanthurus brachyurus (Mt.Isa)
2.1 Pogona vitticeps (snow and red/gold)
1.0 Iguana iguana

“All men lie enveloped in whale-lines. All are born with halters round their necks; but it is only when caught in the swift, sudden turn of death, that mortals realize the silent, subtle, ever-present perils of life.”- Herman Melville

Hello Majesty,
It sounds as though you are genuinely interested in monitors and are willing to explore not only the joys of keeping but also the responsibility. You must consider what your resources will support at this time, when making your species selection. Also, remember that cbred is always the best route, which again, narrows the species list down even further. Take most of what you know about pythons, boas and iguanas and kick it to the wayside... You are going to be in for a challenge like no other with monitors. If you check the "search" option above "post a new message" you will be able to archive out all the basics of husbandry, caging, etc. As much as I would like to make a species selection for you, it would remove some of the joy that you will get from making the right choice for yourself... Best to you- Mike