Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hi guys, I'm looking for info on croc monitors has as mating habits, personal experience, and things people have found that seem to make it more beneficial for the animal. I bought a croc monitor almost two years ago from stan chiras so I have had a good foundation, know the dangers, and basic setups. Mine is a few inches from 7ft and turns two late next month. I would like to start getting personal info on breeding from those you have successful been there and done (such as FR).
thank you
Dustin

Hi Dustin, I am not sure I can be of help. As I only bred two females, and those are the only two I have ever owned. So I cannot add much to them as a species.

A monitors, they were no different then any other monitor, with the exception of when one bit or clawed the other, it caused more visable damage.

The best advice is, raise them together from as small as you can. This is also the best advice for all varanid species. But that is too late for you. As your male is already adult

At this point, all you can do is acquire a female, put them together and cross your fingers.

Mind you, mine had no problems until the female cycled and then again when she laid.

Croc monitors appear to have the same social structure as Lacies. The males get along far better then females. Once the females mature, they do not tolerate other mature females. The males hang out in a gang or so it seems.

Lastly, large nesting and large cages, OF COURSE, are required.

Good luck, Cheers

thanks frank, any info is valuable, breeding two croc monitors is two more then I have done. I've lost touch with stan chiras or i would bother him I'm lucky with hellbound (my croc monitor)since he has never showed any aggression towards other animals (note he has note been put in with other large lizards) just observations on how he acts with a turtle that somehow showed up in his outside enclosure and small lizards that come in and out. Maybe I will get lucky and not have any aggression problems. My main concern is a nesting box, what would you suggest? I was thinking about a nest box built of the ground with a small entrance, with around 2ft of peat moss, sand, leaf mixture (any suggestions on better choice for substrate). Since I relieze I am late on introducing the monitors, what ways can I go about to make it easier to introduce a male and female. I would like to try to avoid an aggression (if possiable) I would hate to have to spend a day trying to clean up bite marks or worse visting the vet. Normally I wouldn't ask about introduction of most monitors but it could be deadly for one or both if I don't take proper precautions. I've personally had what I call a glance bite from a 5ft croc monitor so I know even a quick bite from them is nasty (like a swip with a razor blade)
thanks
dustin

I think you may want to wait until you understand monitors a little more. How they treat a turtle or small lizard has absolutely nothing to do with how they are going to treat eachother.

From what I have seen, hundreds of times over. Monitors pair up or bond(not sure how good a term that is) When they "bond" they become partners, he will not hinder reproduction, but help, he will not eat the eggs, but defend them. He will not fight or bother the female, but protect her.

Also, its not the male thats normally the problem, its the female. While females will mate with a stray male, they will normally fight with them at some time during the event. Sometimes violently. Ours did during nesting and afterwards.

So, you better be ready for the outcome. As you will have no choice.

When they grow up together, their is a way better chance of them bonding. The older they get, the less chance. Its your gamble.

If it were me. I was get a group or pair of babies and raise them together and keep your male as a pet. Cheers

maybe i will try to find some more babies, and i understand how the turtles and small lizards would not trigger a reaction from him the way another monitor would. Thank on your imput about how the females act. I guess I will have plenty of time to decide what to do since i don't plan to start any projects for about a year.
thanks
Dustin