Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I thought everyone could benefit from seeing a horrible situation like this. It is important to really plan out the lifecycle and care of large varanids. Do your research, don't pretend to know it all. Large monitors require a lot of care, time and space.
Varanids are fantastic captives if you do it right, if you do it wrong, well, take a look at the pictures.
It might be prudent to make this a sticky so new keepers can see the disasterous results of a bad situation.

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The larger reptiles do take quite a bit of planing in order to be able to house them properly when they are adults. I think a lot of people don't realize the work that goes into keeping large reptiles even some with good intention. Even if they do know by doing research, once the reality set in, they can get quite overwhelmed and distraught when they really have to take care of a very large reptiles. I do feel that way sometimes, but I like my iguanas. I'm like OCD when it comes to keeping animals and caring for them! [chuckle] lol

This is sad. It really pisses me off too at times.

As for research at the very least you could get all the Varanid ID correctly. The Nile Monitor is a Ornate Monitor. They haven't been subspecies since 1992.

Cheers,
Chad

For everyone who may not know what an Ornate monitor is, it is Varnanus ornatus. Some refer to it as an Ornate Nile Monitor (http://market.kingsnake.com/detail.php?cat=53&de=815006).
The range of both nilotics and ornatus does overlap, but it would be prudent to consider the requirements of ornatus.
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ok, I can't type today, it is niloticus and ornatus
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Varanus ornatus used to be know as Varanus niloticus ornatus, and was elevated to a full species status as Varanus ornatus thus dropping the name "Ornate Nile" as they are different species of Varanids. Keep in mind this was back in 1992, and people STILL call them the wrong name.

It's Ornate Monitor (Varanus ornatus) not a Nile Monitor (Varanus niloticus) or a Ornate Nile Monitor (Varanus niloticus ornatus.

Even though their range overlaps it doesn't appear that they coexist together, as they both are found in different ecological regions in where ornatus replaces niloticus.

Rob Fruast tried to breed ornatus to niloticus and nothing ever took, he believe that they can't produce from each other.

Cheers,
Chad

OK, Chad,
thanks for clarifying niloticus/ornatus.
My research had indicated the change by Bohme in around 2000. There was discussion on the taxonomy in the late 90s if memory serves along with Ziegler, I believe.
But you still see Daniel Bennett refer to them as Varanus nilotics ornatus. http://www.mampam.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=51&Itemid=41

But like I said in my email to you, don't get too wrapped up in common names like ornate nile, etc... They are also called water monitors which you may see as an error as well.

But yes, for the point of discussion of husbandry, like I said, it would be prudent to know the differences of locale and adjust accordingly.
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But both species use and prosper from the exact same captive husbandry. There are no special requirements for either of these species, so your arguement over names is not based on keeping them in captivity. Cheers

Sorry Frank you misread what I wrote. I said nothing about captive animals. There is a species mislabeled. I simply corrected it as the animal in the photo is not what it was labeled. That's all.

If a guy is laying unconscious on the railroad tracks and needs to be pulled off, is it important what his name is or is it more important to pull him off the tracks? The solution to the problem is not to find what his name is but to pull him off the tracks
Just as Frank said with the monitors it is not important to know whether or not it is a nile but to get it set up properly.

the whole message behind this thread which is a good one,has gone in a different direction-for what reason?i personally know the joy of finding misidentified photos in books or articles,but this subject of proper care should over ride.

Exactly, thank you Moe,
For nearly 200 years, they were the same species (a sub) and a few taxonomists decided to change that recently but some still consider it a Nile sub. The range overlaps. Care is similar.

You try to appease people online and they still have a fit. The husbandry was improper and disaterous, be it a with a Nile, Ornate, or chimichanga.
Let's keep this about the animals and the message to keepers so they haven't suffered in vain. You don't want to be this person, you want your animals to have the best care and a great life.
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do you guys know what happened to the guy who owned it? I personally don't know how someone who had large monitors like these couldnt have figured out something bad was happening, I would check on them every like 3 hours to make sure they didnt get out and with that size just destroy everything, I mean really, he should be fined for that.

"A water monitor with a burnt off rear foot" is that actually a water monitor?????????

Cheers,
Mike.