Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey everyone. Its been a while since I've been on this forum i was the "snake Charmer" who thought he could tame a monitor. Well over the past few months i've realized that taming a monitor is an idea that is very ilogical, infact as i conitinue to observe the species, trying tame a monitor seems unatural and wrong.

Even though this is the least human friendly reptile i own, its the greatest bar none. Id like to get another water monitor, well actually i AM getting another water monitor i just need an insight about how two monitors from different clutches will react to each other, i do realize that ever varanid is different, but am curious if anyone has introduced two monitors of the same species and what the outcome was.

I've had my water in a small 60 gallon breeder tank since i got him, and just completed his custom wood cage which is 5'HIGH/6' LONG/3'WIDE... and yes i do realize that this will not last his entire life... i wanted to wait till i obtain another water and introduce them both to the enclosure at the same time, let me know what you think.(and if it doesnt work out i have built another cage of the same dimensions incase they need to be split up.)

I had the same question as you did about a week ago. I have a young water monitor, about 22 inches and wanted to find her a mate. Using a best guess scenario I feel it might be a female and tried to find a young male(again just best guess).

I was worried because the monitor I already had was becoming very tolerant of me and would even come to me when I opened the cage, held my hand out and called to "her". She actually seems to be becoming very used to me, almost enjoying my interaction with "her". I have tried very hard in the process not to break her spirit. The new one I brought home is still a maniac and very shy. I was worried that him being freaked out by me would cause him to lash out on her, but the opposite seemed to happen. I observed them to make sure nothing tragic would happen right away and they began exploring the cage and each other. I have yet to have a problem but they seem to be interacting fine. This morning I saw them both buried together in the same spot.

My goal was to try to introduce them young, so they have an opportunity to socialize while growing up. It seems to be successful thus far, even though its only been a week. I definately did not notice the territorial behavior I saw in my tegus when introducing them, the monitors seemed much more interested in exploring something new.

Oh and my two water monitors are currently in a cage that is 7'x4'x2'. I posted pictures a few posts below if you are curious.

So I guess my answer is yes. Although Im not counting on it, it could be different tomorrow.

Oh and be prepared to seperate them if they turn out to be two males. Also keep an eye out to see if one is stressing the other one out, causing him to not eat...

I have two 5' By 6' by 3' cages ready, but if possible would like to use one for bearded dragon breeding to house females.
Thats why id like to house the monitors together. Problem is i have no way of sexing my monitor, and even if i knew how i probobly wouldnt do it because he is easily stressed.

When i first got him he would hide away in burrows and come out every 3 days to grab a few pinkies, now he come out every day and will only tolerate me walking past the cage about twice. After him seeing me for too long or if he thinks im watching him he burrows.... hes never taken food from me and WILL NOT eat if im there, hes very very shy. Based on this id assume hes a male, buts that just a guess.

And on another note did one of your monitors affect the others disposition in any way? For instance did the wild one notice the calm one was not afraid of you and start tolerating your presence more? Or the other way around? thanks
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2.2.1 Bearded Dragons
1.0.0 Lemon Pastel Ball Pythons (NERD Line)
0.0.1 Water Monitors
And Counting...

if you're gonna have 2 together i would suggest a very large cage. expect WWIII and hope for peace. these guys can easily kill eachother so be careful. to get info from a very experienced watermonitor keeper contact John Adragna. you can find him on his own forum "cybersalvator.com"

good luck
shay

You can't accurately sex them until they are older and larger, thats why mine are just guesses for now. These guesses were based on the size of the neck and the base of the tail. I had my first one for 6 months and spent lots of time trying to get her used to me. I left a worn article of clothing in there to get her used to my smell. Then I would go near the cage very often and open it and talk to her even if she was hiding. Knowing that you are the person feeding her helps her like you a bit more also. After a while I would hold my hand out and she would come explore it and eventually began to walk onto my arm as I encouraged her by speaking to her. It just takes time to get them used to you. Some take a little more time than others and some may never like you.

I don't know if there are any temperament differences between females and males so I would not say if its a male or not. That seems to be more of an individual trait, not a sex trait.

As far as affecting disposition, my "female" is still as mellow as she was before I got the new one. The new one used to hide all the time but now he comes out a lot more. He still isnt used to me yet. Im hoping him seeing the other water and I interact will inspire him to be a little more curious, but nothing major yet. The "wilder" one runs and hides by the time I open the cage so he might not even know what it going outside of his dirt hide. Time and patience will only tell.

Because you want to introduce two monitors(regardless of the same species or not) stress will be unavoidable. That doesn't mean it'll be a disaster, however. I have two water monitors together, however they're clutchmates and seem to enjoy each other's company. I've even seen them do the affectionate "arm rest" while bathing. As far as introducing two monitors, make sure that each has its own space to retreat to and that they can get out of each other's way if needed. Sometimes it'll work and sometime's it won't...you'll never know until you try it.

Of course two water monitors can co-exist. So can three. In fact, I will bet you can even go with higher numbers. It all depends on the enclosure and the animals.

I keep three adults together: Mother, son, and daughter. I also keep an iguana with them. Everyone gets along great and I have even seen them playing cards together. I just need a picture and then I can be famous for "Lizards Playing Poker."

I have also kept clutch mates together who tried to murder each other and had to be separated.

I have kept unrelated water monitors together with no problems. I have also even kept mixed species of monitors together with no problems.

It is less important to know if two water monitors can co-exist and more important to be prepared in case they do not co-exist. Have a backup plan BEFORE monitor #2 arrives. Prepare their intended living enclosure as best as you can to accomodate both monitors. Then observe. You will need to be flexible. The mom in the above referenced scenario tolerates everyone at all times. However, she HATED the father of son and daughter except when she was in the mood for love. Nothing was funnier than seeing this incredibly anti-human male monitor turn into a sissy when a smaller, mutilated human-tolerating monitor tried killing him. Amusement aside and in all seriousness, it was also very stressful on him and led to him being bitten severely and mauled a few times before I learned to read the signs that said the female was about to be no longer interested in being nice to him. So they could co-exist SOMETIMES.

You will know they can co-exist until you come home to a bloody mess. Hopefully it will never be a bloody mess and they will do great together. On the other hand, be observant and prepared and you can probably intervene before it is a lethal bloody mess that you discover.
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^x^ Bloodbat ^x^
Monitors, monitors everywhere
and all the food they ate.
Monitors, monitors everywhere,
their parents loved to mate.