Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey everyone. I was just curious if any of you folks could give me some suggestions as to a species of Varanid I could keep. I currently have a 55 gallon terrarium that I would like to make use of. Size is the most important issue, I have kept a male Nile Monitor in the past and truly don't feel like making another 16 foot enclosure, haha. So, does anyone here have experience with monitors, particularly one that could be housed in a 55? I've been reading up on Timors and Ackies, but was curious if there are any other species as well, particularly from Africa.

Thanks for the input.

Glass tanks aren't for monitors.

i kept a timor in a tank that size once... it wasn't enough. seriously, listen to these guys and read the posts. monitors are too active and intelligent, they demand more. if you want to make use of that, leopard lizards and collared lizards are pretty cool and will make good use of the tank. monitors are awesome, but they are not conventional, which seems to be what you are looking for.
-jake
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"I live for the nights I'll never remember with the friends I will never forget"

Monitors are hardy lizards, but the only problem with the ones that are commonly sold as pets is that they get big...I mean really big. And a lot, if not most, end up in rescues. So if you getting one, consider what it will be in a year and the large cage it requires. Think big! Personally, I would go with the smaller species like Ackies. They don't get very big and so don't need as much room to keep properly, and they don't eat as much. If you know how much my Savannah eat, you'd probably think twice about getting a big monitor like that.

And you are looking for something to stay in smaller and easier caging, husbandry, then look for small, Aussie, and CBB. All African species grow from 3-6ft or more, if you dont want a big cage then dont get any African species. And whatever you pick with those limitations, go smaller to be realistic, and to not short change the lizard.

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