Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've kept the basics before and have recently started looking at monitors. I've basically just started learning about them, and it would be at least another 6 months before I'd even have the space after moving. I've been looking at Ackies, what's everyone's take on them as a beginner monitor? Any other suggestions or stories? Any general info or point in the right direction would be great, thanks!
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Danne
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1.0 '07 BRB "Monroe"
1.0 '08 BRB 66% het Anery "Ace"
1.0 '08 Pastel BP "Sebastian"
1.1 Leos "Bowser & Peach"
0.2 Dumbo (non-feeder) rats "Josie & Holly"

Email = dshoback@eden.rutgers.edu

As far as a monitor goes they are a highly recommended starter one....
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Tom
1.2.0 Leopard Gecko (dot, spot, casper)
0.0.1 California King Snake (booboo)
0.1.0 Sulcata Tortoise (tank)
0.0.2 Russian Tortoise (tito and lulu)
0.0.2 Red Ear Sliders (bernie and ernie)
0.0.3 Painted Turtles (larry, curly and moe)
0.0.1 Western Soft shell (Squirt)
2.2.0 Bearded Dragon (marshmellow,Bubba,Sparkles,Alfredo )
0.0.1 Savannah Monitor (beef)
1.0.0 Peachfront Conure (kermit)
0.1.0 Love Bird ( KIKI )
1.1.0 Dog (layla and Rosco)
2.1.0 Crazy Cats (babe, sabastian, tinkerbell)
0.1.0 Lion Head Rabbit (daisy)
0.1.2 Ferret (jordan RIP, Cosmo and Izzy)
0.2.0 Guinea Pigs (lilly and petunia)
0.0.1 White Tree Frog (dumpy jr.)
0.0.2 Fire Belly Newts (spork and blaze)
0.0.1 Fire Belly Toad (ferdinan)
0.0.1 Red Spotted Newt ( red)
0.0.2 Bull Frogs (goliath and tubby)
0.0.1 Spectacled caiman (wilbert)
0.0.3 Green Anoles
1.0.0 Bahama Anole
0.0.1 Giant Millipede
Lots Of Fish

Hi!

Youve hit the nail on the head!
They are without a shadow of doubt the best (easiest) monitor to successfully keep in captivity!
There are some basics to keeping them that you should be aware of...but im sure youve already heard them.
1) Keep em hot....but give them places to get away from the heat if they want to.
2) They can be very active so give them lots of space.....not just horizontally....mine all love to clamber over and under stuff so height can be an advanage in their enclosure.
3) Feed em a lot! They dont eat anywhere near as much as a bearded dragon but they do like their food,

Hope that helps.....a little

Thanks guys for that I've been looking online quite a bit, now I'm wondering more of how they are in the personality dept. Are they more similar to beardies, iguanas, water dragons, basilisks, what? I mean because as cool as they are I want to base getting one more on personality rather than just the "hey, I've got a monitor" cool factor (albeit a good reason) since they all have somewhat similar size req.
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Danne
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1.0 '07 BRB "Monroe"
1.0 '08 BRB 66% het Anery "Ace"
1.0 '08 Pastel BP "Sebastian"
1.1 Leos "Bowser & Peach"
0.2 Dumbo (non-feeder) rats "Josie & Holly"
1.2 family members who can't wait until I move "the zoo" into my own place

Email = dshoback@eden.rutgers.edu

They are phenominaly inquisitive and seem to be very smart animals with a VERY good memory. Once you build a good relationship with them (IE feed them alot and do things on their terms, not yours) they become quite tollerant of your presance.

Goodluck,
Mike.