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I just recently got a juvenile dumeril monitor. I have it currently in a 6 X 4 X 4 enclosure. 120 degrees on the basking side / 75 degrees on the cool side. Also I purchased zoo med fir bark as the pet store reccomended. Its substrate is about 2 inches thick. I have a large cat litter box filled about 2 inches deep in water for it to submerge in. Basically I have everything the pet store reccomended.

The Dumeril is about 2 1/2 to 3 feet in length, and wild caught according to the pet store as well.

Now I find it daily digs underneath the substrate and hides unless I pull it out. I've had it for a few days now and that pretty much its routine. I haven't seen it basking once. Is this normal behavior for a monitor???

I'm worried that its stressed. This is my first monitor though, I have no experience with them so I don't know what to expect. I raised beardies for about 8 years, and thats pretty much my background in reptiles.

Can anyone out there tell me if I'm neglecting to do something or if this is what is normal of dumerils? Some more background, it will let me handle it. It doesn't hiss or bite or even whip its tail when I pull it out. It just squirms then crawls up my shoulder and sets up shop. I've been extremely wary of it, but it hasn't shown me any threatening signs. I'm still careful around it though. It did eat a live mouse yesterday after I dug it out a little in the substrate and coaxed it.

Anyway, does anyone have any advice? Oh one more thing, I do have a UV light set up in the cage itself, the pet store was vague about monitors needing UV light, I just want to confirm it doesn't need it. Thanks for your time.

But hiding constantly is pretty much normal for a w.c. that has not acclimated to captivity.

I would suggest giving it something to dig in maybe dirt and/or leaves.

Refrain from removing it, it will only make things worse. Respect their hides, with a lot of time and some luck, you will probably start seeing it more.

Alot of the reason people recommend getting cb monitors, is you do not have to deal with w.c. crazed lizards that were yanked out of their homes. Keep in mind the torment it was/is being put through, it probably still remembers true freedom, and that life for this lizard is gone forever. Don't get me wrong, I do have some w.c. monitors, but they have required more patience, work and time than any of the c.b. ones. Remember the sacrifices you make for this lizard are nothing compared to the sacrifices this lizard was forced to endure. With w.c.'s you are often starting with a starved, dehydrated, overly stressed monitor, so your work is cut out for you. Good husbandry, time and sometimes a vet visit is all that should be needed.

I would also suggest you start over, so to speak, look at the captive FAQ on www.varanus.net and apply it as necessary. Pet stores are designed to move/sell animals, often not even to keep them alive and never for the sake of the animal. I would not trust any reptile/pet store employee's advice.

Good Luck,

--Robert

P.S. - UV is not necessary

A couple things i would recomend , 1. make the substarte much deeper atleast one foot use either cypress mulch (what i use) or dirt. Both hold humidity well and allow for a a lot of diging. Let him hide, dont take him out it will stress him to much. 2. Use www.varanus.nl as you bible study it , do searches on dumerils learn everything you can know about them.

Hope i helped
Sean
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1 Black roughneck Monitor (Slick Rick)
3 Crested Geckos (red, neon orange, and neon orange dalmation) (Rocky is the oldest other two are Adrian and Mick)
1 Vieled Cham (Tony Montana)
1 Leo (Nikki)
2 Niger Uromastyx Spike and Mike

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