Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am wanting to get a monitor or two cause I am wanting to try a different species of lizard, plus I want get them also cause I hear of their intelligence, so I would like to see for myself.

I am not a newbe to the care of reptiles so I believe I am ready to take on the care of a monitor.

I am just wanting to know which ones which would probably be the best to start with? At max I could probably make a enclosure about 8x4x6, maybe a little bit bigger. Out of the research I have done probably the best would be the Ackie monitors. I like them a lot, but the one thing about them I have trouble with is the price is pretty hefty.

The main thing I would like to find in a monitor is being able to handle it atleast for a short time to move it if I had to like in cage maintenance, or in case I had to move the monitor is a hurry. I used to hold all my reptiles a bit, but has my collection has grown I really don't hold as much as I used to, so holding like a everyday thing, or much at all isn't a issue with me.
I would like the possibility that I might be able to breed whatever species I end up.

Now you guys will probably end up saying the ackie, but I just thought I would post, and see if there were anyother species I might look into.

Another thing if anyone could recommend a good ackie breeder please let me know.

Thanks in advance.

I'm more into savannah monitors but I think most will tell you to go with ackies...yellow ackies seem to be a bit cheaper for whatever reason.

One thing I don't think alot of newbies realise is the cost of the food for the monitors as well as the cage cost and the supplies needed to house and properly keep the monitor. Over time these costs end up being far higher then what you paid for the lizard(s).

If you can't afford an Ackie you can't afford to keep a Savannah Monitor.

Ackies are the best learning species, and can be handled to move, but the best way to interact with Varanids is hands off as much as possible. If you really can build a 8x4x4, that'd be great for 1.1 or 1.2 Ackies you'll enjoy them much more in that size cage than you would a single Savannah Monitor.

You'll see all kinds of neat behaviors with Ackies in that size cage, if set up properly.

Cheers,
Chad

"I'm more into savannah monitors but I think most will tell you to go with ackies...yellow ackies seem to be a bit cheaper for whatever reason. One thing I don't think alot of newbies realise is the cost of the food for the monitors as well as the cage cost and the supplies needed to house and properly keep the monitor. Over time these costs end up being far higher then what you paid for the lizard(s)."

Thanks for the information.

"If you can't afford an Ackie you can't afford to keep a Savannah Monitor.

Ackies are the best learning species, and can be handled to move, but the best way to interact with Varanids is hands off as much as possible. If you really can build a 8x4x4, that'd be great for 1.1 or 1.2 Ackies you'll enjoy them much more in that size cage than you would a single Savannah Monitor.

You'll see all kinds of neat behaviors with Ackies in that size cage, if set up properly."

Thanks! I'll probably be going with ackies then. Do you know any breeders I can look up?

The kingsnakes classifieds usually has some for sale. You might have to shop around to find a decent price.