Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey everyone,
I will be acquiring a trio of kimberly rock monitors next month. I have thoroughly researched ideal monitor husbandry for the past several months, particularly through this forum. My set up will execute a typical monitor set up. A bask of 130-140, retes stacks and tight hides throughout. I am just wondering what all of you think I should use as a substrate for very young kimberly's. My initial thoughts were about a half a foot of a diggable soil that will hold moisture, however I have spoken to a few individuals who keep/breed kimberly's who recommend cypress mulch as the ideal substrate for hatchlings. Any advice would be great. Thanks.

Dirt can cause problems in the eyes with real young hatchlings, we use cypress mulch. Rock stacks secured with epoxy or thinset cement are much better then wood stacks, they hold and radiate heat/moisture and also aid in the monitors toe shedding which can cause toe loss if they cannot get the skin loose. 130-140F for a hotspot seems a bit high for hatchlings especially kims as they dehydrate easily. 105-117 is a good temp that has worked well for us for many years now and we NEVER get thermal burns like you see on most adult kims people sell. Good luck with them.
Robert
Maxian's Collection www.herphatch.com

Hey Bob,
A few people now have reccomened the cypress mulch for young kims now and I think I will go with this choice. Just one last question about humidity. What perecentage humidity would you say you typically keep the young kims at? 80%?

Its not so much humidity but wet/dry type daily scenerios that go on with ours. I really never thought about humidity other then making sure they get rained on and drink water.
Robert