Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I need some help. I'm thinking of getting a monitor or other lizard and was wondering which is best for me. I don't want anything that gets too big. Nothing over 3-4 ft. easily tameable and handleable. Preferrably carnivorous. Preferrably doesn't need UVB but not a necessity. let me know. I like Beardies but don't want to have to feed fresh veggies every day. I like savannahs but they get a little big and not sure on how tame they get. I have heard horror stories. Timors? Ackies? What else is there?

you shouldnt get a monitor if this is a first animal. no offense, but theyre very sensitive to flaws in their care. also the majority of species easily exceed 3 feet. as for your 2 suggrstions, timors arent good starting monitors. ackies are good, but are very social, and its usually advised to get pairs. as for feeding beardies veggies daily, thats horribly wrong. beardies eat all types of insects, along with pellets you can purchase and sometimes fresh veggies. if youre just startying off id reccomend the beardie over any type of monitor.

Thanks. This isn't my first animal. just my first lizard. I have 5 Ball Pythons, 3 Dogs and a Cat. Oh and 2 Barking tree frogs.

Look into a Tegu.

Have a good one!
HH
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Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

www.natures-signature.com

AMEN!
Exactly what I was thinking but they tend to get big too. If you got just one I would say Argentine Black and White female would be the way to go.(smaller) Check youtube and a few other places do a google on tegu and see if they fit you. I love mine! Oh and Ackies rock too!
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Tree hugging is the truest form of self preservation.

G.I.S.Artbiz SLC,Utah

i agree with you both, but tegus tend to exceed 3 to four feet, most adults ive seen are over 4.5, and the 2 year old one im supposed to get is already heading towards the 4 foot mark, though he is a coloumbian. in all honesty, if size is the largest barrier, and youre set on monitors, id go strait for ackies. id reccomend looking into a variety of species though, before making your descision. id also check the upcoming expos part, and look for one in your area, you find amazing animals, and could be turned onto something that youd never think of.

Thanks Bro! You all have been a great help!

Hey!
It appears that you didn't take offense to my short & sweet reply and I'm glad. I'm usually more cordial than that but was in a hurry and just wanted to give you what I felt was the bottom line.

"...easily tameable and handleable..."

This is the reason I didn't, don't, suggest a monitor for you. Regardless of what type of monitor you intend to get you need to go into it realizing that it's very likely you will never be able to handle it as a pet. Monitors are not a hands-on species.

Yes, some will tolerate handling better than others, but that's pretty much what most of 'em do, "tolerate" it. And usually not for extended periods at a time.

Don't think that you're the first & only person here that wanted a monitor as a "pet". That's the very reason I got into them. And it's the reason a lot of other people got into them. Yeah, I was disappointed at first. But after a few months of just observing them and seeing them being their self and not a broken-spirited creature, I love them just as much if not more.

Take your time and do plenty of research. Most of the monitors that you see on YouTube or hear about that are "pets" that people handle regularly and take for walks on a leash end up dying within a few years. If improper husbandry doesn't kill 'em the broken spirit will.

Have a good one!
HH
-----
Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

www.natures-signature.com

Thanks. I'm probably going to settle on either a beardie, a blue tongue, or fire skink. Anyway. THanks again. Maybe someday i'll get a monitor.