Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've been reading many post and I think there are several reasons/goals why people keep monitors. Who is to say what is right or wrong? I am not talking about husbandry. I think by now we should all know basic husbandry methods ( at least I hope). So what is your reason or goal for keeping monitors?

Mine will be for the "possible interaction" and observation of daily activity in an aesthetically pleasing enclosure.

First I have to disagree, I am not sure the basics are understood. By a some yes, but not by many.

I guess the basics, means different things to different people. To me it means allowing basic life events. To others it may mean to keep one alive. To me, a life in a cage without doing anything is not a life.

I Keep monitors because they are VERY behavioral and I enjoy reptile behavior. They are pretty much the same as anyother reptile I have kept only on crack or speed or something, hahahahahahaha. Hmmmmmmmm they just do it faster, and sometimes crazier.

They make me laugh, which is why I have more of them then other reptiles. I keep and have produce, colubrids, pythons, turtles, torts and a number of monitor species. Cheers

Frank
Basics to me, means to provide an environment in which the animal can maintain a healthy physical (biological) life. I'm yet to gain the knowledge of their mental being, when in captivity. I don't think we (most of us) can replicate what nature provides in their daily lives. In nature, it's up to them to see if they survive. In captivity, they rely on us for everything. If we provide them with what they know how to use, however limited, they then do have some choices to make; but even at that, it will not compare. Just my thoughts.

Life events. Could you elaborate. Thanks

Basic life events are, to hatch, to grow to adulthood, to reproduce, to live a productive life, then past on from old age.

Of course, all those areas have many catagories that can be enriched. All those areas can be measured by degrees of success.

But we should at least be able to achieve the basic life events, then we enrich each are as we learn.

You do not need to duplicate nature to achieve this, you only must provide basic needs. Much like breeding mice, food, water, right temps, etc. Of course, because reptiles are not indotherms, we must provide the right temps.

My point with all this natural history stuff is reflected by your comments. You do not even need to know where they came from. With monitors, a mate if first and foremost, then proper temps and a decent diet, they proper nesting. Much like most other captive animals.

For instance, what would you think of someone who could not breed hamsters, rats or mice? Would you think they knew the basics?

Or what kind of life is just being healthy in a cage.

Please consider, as a field worker, I know what wild monitors are and I understand why many biologists do not like what they see when they see captive monitors(monitors in a box).

Well it's easy and very basic to allow simple life events. Of course, more advanced life functions after that is achieved is, even better. Cheers

Hey Frank
What if the human goal of attaining a monitor does not include breeding? What if it is for the sole purpose of observing daily activity and (human to monitor interaction) if the monitor allows it. What kind of life is that for the monitor; if their needs are being met for a healthy biological life?

Another thing. The need to reproduce is embedded in all living things. Is the way it is embedded in monitors necessary for their mental well being? Now you got me thinking.....
I know without sex I would go insane. Is that the same or different? Hummmmmmmm......

I have "pets" and "specimens". My dogs are pets, because they have the same social structure humans have. I'm the alpha dog, and they are submited to me, which is what IMO makes them pets.

Then I have specimens. Specimens do not want social interaction with me, and I don't expect it. The most I do with my specimens is train the lizards to not go nuts when I have to pick them up to take them to the vet. So I pick up my juvvie Ionides a few times per week.

Why I am fascinated with lizards, a colorful tarantula, and that huge dark metallic blue scorpion, would require an essay starting with my childhood reptile-catching hobby. Since my boys grew up and out of the house, and my wife tip-toed out, I can indulge myself with pets, and with the specimens which have always fascinated me so much. I love to have them in my living room in large glass tanks (the Blackthroat has the small bedroom for his habitat), and I love the task of meeting their every need. One or two of my phobic friends and acquaintences cannot visit me, knowing I have creepy-crawlies right in my living room. So instead, *I* visit *them* LOL!

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