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Alright I was thinking about getting a Monitor ( an Argus preferably )

-Heres my questions-

-Whats a good beginner Monitor ( I have experience with Leopard Geckos, Box Turtles and Desert Tortoises )

-What doesnt get to big ( Around the size of an Argus preferably IE- 5 feet max )

-What is not agressive ( Isnt gonna kill me )

-What can I somewhat handle ( Walk with a Leash )

-Does an Argus fall into this category?

-Tony C

"-Whats a good beginner Monitor ( I have experience with Leopard Geckos, Box Turtles and Desert Tortoises )

Ackies, they stay small enough to not cause serious damage if they decide to nail you.

"-What doesnt get to big ( Around the size of an Argus preferably IE- 5 feet max )
-What is not agressive ( Isnt gonna kill me ) "

You ever seen a pissed off hungry argus? hahahaha

"-What can I somewhat handle ( Walk with a Leash )"

Get a Saint Benard.

Scott
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Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.

Here are some of my opinions on the matter:

"Alright I was thinking about getting a Monitor ( an Argus preferably )"

"-Whats a good beginner Monitor ( I have experience with Leopard Geckos, Box Turtles and Desert Tortoises )"

I agree with Scott, as most will recommend ackies for first-time monitors. They are very helpful in learning monitor behavior, which is a must with argus monitors. If you can't read them correctly you will get hurt, and the monitor will suffer from your mistakes in husbandry.

"-What doesnt get to big ( Around the size of an Argus preferably IE- 5 feet max )"

Again, research ackies, you would really enjoy keeping a pair. They are a much more managable size than argus.
Trust me, you don't want to have a pissed off 5' argus that you don't know how to work with. Start with a more managable species first, then move up to argus's if you truely feel you can properly take care of one.

"-What is not agressive ( Isnt gonna kill me )"

This is something that cannot be easily answered by me. It has a lot to do with the keeper's ability to read the animal and not push its limits. Ackies are considered a nonagressive species due to the fact that they are more forgiving of keepers, you would really have to do something to offend them to get bit by any of mine. My argus's are the same way, you just have to know when not to muck with them. Leave them alone and they won't mind your presence in the cage with them (cleaning,feeding,changing water, etc...), but if you break that trust with them, its hard to regain it. The ability to read the animals is why I wouldn't recommend something like an argus for a first-time keeper.

"-What can I somewhat handle ( Walk with a Leash )"

The most enjoyable interaction you can have from keeping monitors is watching their behaviors/life events in my opinion. Walking on a leash would be extremely stressful for any monitor, if setup properly that kind of "exercise" is never needed. Remember, monitors are NOT dogs. And shouldn't be treated that way, treat them like what they are...which doesn't include walking them.

"-Does an Argus fall into this category?"

From these types of questions, I would have to say an argus is not for you, yet. Do yourself and the monitors a favor and start with something easy, you'll have more fun with them that way.

Good luck and happy researching, Lance

I would try ackies or tristis first . start with young get used to handling them don't over stress them but then move up to an argus. The key to an argus is to handle them while small & do it several times a week so they get used to you & vice versa. I had a male that I walked on a leash & took on TV a few yrs. back but it took patience to get him predictable enough to let me know days he didn't want to be bothered. The female would not let me handle her like that at all she would charge me but would only bite on occassion.

is likely your best option. For a bunch of good reasons but the most important being the smaller monitors are easier to provide for and do some wild things that you may not be able to watch a bigger species (argus) do. I worked with some kimberlys,storr's, and ackies a few years back and they had me rolling(laughing my arse off). We also had some larger species but they were simply much more confined and could not perform the array of antics the little guys can do in smaller set-ups. Also you would likely be pleasantly suprised (if you want "bigger" the size an ackie can attain and still be managable(about 3 ft??...check that one). If you let an ackie teach you some things,carefully read the forum, and get some solid basics then down the road you'll likely envision what it is you would like to do with the larger variety. I hear Argus are as smart as whips and incredibly personable IF one can "read" them correctly. The interaction you seek(big argus) may be better facilitated by taking "Monitors 101: The Ackies"...then taking some upper division courses. cheers,big ears.

Thanks To all who commented.

-Tony C