Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi All,

I have never owned any monitors at all. Ackies have always interested me. Have a few questions though for those of you who currently are keeping them.

I have owned many other lizards of comparable size - beardeds, desert iguanas, veiled chameleons.

What size groups are you keeping and what size is the caging? I can do a cage just over 4x2 (footprint) and any height. I am thinking about doing the setup about 40" tall. This would allow for around 16" of soil substrate, then roughly 24" for above the substrate, lighting will be in this area. I was hoping to go with 1.2 in this size cage. I imagine more would be pushing it too much.

Next question, I have read that ackies like most monitors will typically deficate in their water. I have been to peoples houses with other monitors (larger) and this generates wuite an odor. I am assuming that ackies being much smaller this is not an issue but want to get peoples opinions. My beardeds etc never had any odor issues.

Cage will be plywood and glass in construstion. How much venting would you recommend?

Thanks!
Scott

I have Ackies and love them out of the various species I have kept they are the most fun for me. Keep the caging simple with a large opening to change it around when it needs to be changed.

4x2 with some top is fine for 2 or 3, ultimately your support will tell you(as will they) if 2 or 3 will get along, or will not and may require a larger enclosure or the removal of an individual, or may be fine....this wil be based on alot of variables such as the individuals, your support/environment and other things.

Just take it as it comes and keep it simple. Also my Ackies avoid water AT ALL COSTS hahahahahaha. Infact I dont think I ever remember an ackie deicating in their water (not mine at least). If they are doing that somthing is wrong and they are speaking to you.

Thanks for the info!

Would you advise a longer or wider setup if I was able to go larger then 4x2? If I can get it a little larger would it be better to be 5x2 or 4x2.5?

So you would advise more open area on the substrate then lots of things for them to climb on?

You can get good info on Ackies from the Pro Exotics website. I have a group of 5 Ackie babies together in a 20gal long tank w 2 inches of soil, Retes stacks on both sides for hides and a large water dish. The hot side is 128F (basking) 83F cool side with no problems. I plan on keeping them in a 6' long metal trough when they get bigger. My Ackies are thriving and a kick to watch.

Russ

What do you use to keep a small tank so hot at one end and cool at the other end?

I suppose a better question is why not?

Mike.

I use a 50 watt Halogen flood bulb on the hot side and a regular 40 watt bulb on the cool side. My tank top is made of plexi glass. On the hot side the Retes stack is two high and on the cool side I use one. The lights are on a 24hr cycle. The Ackies move to different levels or dig in the dirt to get out of the light. Four of the five spend 90 % of their time under the basking light. The other one spends 90 % dug in somewhere. I followed the information that was given by Pro Exotics on their website. My Ackies are thriving with using this info. The pictures are of the cage and three of the five Ackies on a Retes stack on the hot side.

Here are the photos

Also my cage is in the basement which is somewhat cool about 63-65F. Which accounts why I have two bulbs and their wattage. The middle of the cage where the water dish sits is about 78F. I monitor the temps close because of coolness of my basement and change Retes stacks levels if needed.

Thanks
Russ

Hey,

I have been on pro Exotics website, very good info!

How deep of substrate are you planning on running in the trough when they are adults?

Robyn at PE recommends/uses 24" but I just am unsure I can truely get it this deep.

Are you planning on using egg laying boxes or what for the females when breeding?

The plan is to fill the trough half full 12 - 18 inches and see how that works for their digging activities. I will keep an eye on them and see how they actinteract and change things according to their behaviorreactions.

Good Luck
Russ

act or interact. behavior or reaction.NP

Now I understand how you do the temps.On my enclosures the lights are under the plexi, so in a 20 gallon with the lights above the plexi and in a cool place it works.Here in AZ, the coolist I can get anything would be 80, and that would be with no lights. Nice setup idea, good luck with the ackies,they are fun. Joe

Don't get too fancy and make things complicated, a standard trough style setup with a top of some sort will work fine. You can do whatever you want for a size, but a 4x2 as a base.

Although you can get fancy, some are good at, some are not....I am not. Hehe.

Cheers,
Mike.

Correction from last post.

What are you guys feeding your adult ackies as the stable diet?

I have been reading more and more about the lobster roaches and they sound very interesting. I am not a huge fan of crickets (I know they are needed for the hatchlings) because of the odor.

Will they readily take pre-killed pinkies/fuzzies? Or are you guys keeping mice breeding pairs?

Thanks!

I'm still feeding mine 3 wk old crickets. I have a Turkistan Roach colony setup and when they get established I plan on feeding them to my Ackies. I buy frozen fuzzy mice. After they are 3/4 thawed I cut them into smaller pieces.

Good Luck
Russ