Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey, i just got a new baby argus monitor. Hes really awesome but isnt as hungry as i thought he would be and is extremely skiddish. As for the hungry part, ive been feeding him appropriatly sized mice, but are the temps not hot enough because he only seems to eat every other day or so.

I also wanted to know if they're are any good training tips you guys can give me on feeding it, and getting it to tripod, stay calm, temperment etc. Thanks a lot - Joe

Welcome. "Calm" is not the word I would assosiate with Argus. You didn't mention anything about your setup, so I can't help you out there. Offer plenty of choices as far as hides,humidity, and temps go. Also, as hard as it may be... leave it alone. Constant attemps to handle it will only stress it out. It will get used to its new surroundings soon enough and you will have a large, fast, snapping set of jaws looking for something to eat anytime you go near its enclosure. My 4 1/2 foot+ male jumped right out of his enclosure last week at feeding time!

Good Luck,
Dave

Umm i have my argus (about 10-13 inches) in a 40 gallon breeder which my beardy was previously in. I have a ceramic heater on one end, with a reptisun uvb 10.0 on top and a 100 watt light bulb on the opposite end. (standard) I also have a pretty good sized water container that he can fit all of his body in and even swim underneath and around a lil. I dont have any hide spots as of now, he seems just to love to burrow under this one log. Can u give me some cheap hideboxes ideas?

Do a search for "Retes Stacks" and you will find the best hide around. Sounds like you have a screen top on there, if so get rid of it. With all that heat you have it is going to be extremely dry. Once you close up that top you most likeley will not need all that wattage. 45w floods from your local home improvement place work great for small setups, and get yourself a tempgun if you don't have one.

P.S. start building a bigger cage soon he will need it.

Dave

Alright thanks. Ive been checking them out and also came across metal troughs. I read some things that said they are great for using to build a monitors cage around. What do you think of these because they look awesome. Also, what should i use to cover the cage when i get rid of the screen top?

P.S. I keep the soil extremely moist in there. And with the water container, i dont think it is too dry.

You will have to become creative for a cover. In the past I have just duct taped the whole screen top except where the lights sit of course. That is better than an open screen and seems to work ok.

Dave

Ok thanks, ill figure something out to cover the top with. Im planning on building my retes stacks this week. How close to the lights should the argus be able to get?? And whats the max temp it should reach? thanks - Joe

Don't people due research before the by monitor????

Why didn't you get all of your question answered before you went out and got an argus.
Not only do you not know anything you also got one of the hardest monitors to care for.

The amount of room,food that these monitors require are very close to Waters/Niles/BT becuase of how active they are.

Temp gun a must: basking spot range form 125-150.
no screen period. Start builind now.
Its all about surface temp.
On getting you monitor tame. well its a monitor its not suppose to get tame. usually The meanier it is the healthier it is.
Some times you'll get one the well Tolarate you.
Excuse my spelling i'm making this quick.

Soil: 3ft must. They love to borrow

I have mine in 12 square feet with 4ft of soil and about 6ft high.
If this is your first monitor which it sounds like, you picked the wrong one to start with.
Don't take this the wrong way but I'm tired of reading peoples post that they could of found the answer for by just searching the forum!!!

you know what, your right. Im do apologize because i probably wouldve found the answers but only from searching through these forums for days. I just get paranoyed when taking care of my baby argus because mostly it is a baby. I just wanted to make sure i have everything as best as possible. Unless sum1 lives in a warm climate and keep the argus in your backyard, its not typical for a 12 ft cage to be stored in your house. No matter what all of the professionals say, its just not possible for some. Most of the time people over exaggerate and tell about their cages to make themselves feel better. I know that my argus will be well taken care of without a house sized cage.