Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've been putting thought into what would be my next monitor, I've narrowed it down to a few choices. Black Rough Neck, Blue Tailed, and Peach Throat. I'm not planning on getting any soon, I need to free up quite a bit of room and build a large cage and what not. I really just wanted to hear anybody who has kept any of the above species and tell me what they think about it. I've seen some of the posts with the Peach Throats, and they seem great. I'm not looking for a monitor that can be "puppy dog" tamed. Really just tolerable of a little interaction. Also, since all 3 of these are heavily pushed threw the pet trade and regularly imported. I'm really not wanting to waste my money on some parasites, worms, ticks, and disease with a little bit of lizard left. Anybody know of some breeders?

Thanks!
Jason

I've seen a roughneck at the pet store around here, and they look pretty cool and have good temperament. I love the way they look the best, too....

Blue taileds are pretty shy animals, and kind of hard to keep. There's a guy here, Moe, who owns a couple and never sees them. I doubt you'll find some CB.

Black Throats are very cool, I have a friend who owns one. Its a cool, tame and hardy species. You can find some nice CB's at ProExotics.

I don't know much about jobiensis but them don't seem like a very hardy and calm species...

Most people say indonesian forest species are fragile and hard to keep, and australian/african species are hardy, active and easier to keep.

The blue tails would probably be shy as WC, but I think as CB they would be more tolerable. Of course, they are hard to find as CB, that's why I tried asking if anybody on here knows a breeder.

But the peach throats are quite bold, as I believe Mike on here showed some pictures of them crawling up his arm. (Was it MikesMonitors or MikeH, I can't remember which haha).

I'm not looking into getting a monitor as big as a black throat, water, etc just yet.

If by some miracle that I can find true CB savanna monitors, I would jump on it. I might know of someone breeding them.
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Jason

If you want indonesian forest species, I have seen a few green trees that are pretty docile and will climb on you readily. Just make sure you start with a baby.

all three of those choices are available as WC babies.getting captive bred will be hard to achieve-select a group of active healthy babies,use proper husbandry and parasite issues might not present itself.there are so many resources to find a good supplier where you can start with healthier wc babies.i was discouraged for good reason not to start with forest monitors as they aren't as tolerant to keeper error,the fact that they hide make it more stressful as to their well being.checking them every five minutes only adds to their stress.luckily i did research and knew what i was getting into,and left them alone-no handling at all for the first couple of monthes.it's nice to see someone who respects what monitors are...monitors not puppies

The tree monitors are very nice, but out of my price limit haha. But I've actually seen a video of a WC adult just walk up his keeper's arm without a problem, pretty cool stuff. Also, they're probably the very least tolerable of keeper error of any varanid, shame, they're incredibly gorgeous lizards. And I have thought about it, if I do come up with the space and funds for feeders, I would maybe go with a black throat or argus.

And about respecting monitors for what they are, I wouldn't say 'respect', its more basic knowledge from watching reptiles closely for so many years. Even if my leopard gecko had the choice, she'd rather go back in here hide. I don't believe in a "tame" reptile personally, but I've heard a few stories that I would need to see to believe.
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Jason