Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,
I am a ball python breeder and use frozen rats. Every feeding day I have 4-5 extra rats that were not eaten. Can you kind folks suggest a good monitor that can eat my scraps? I hope for something that is handleable and that can fit in a 4 x 2 cage.
Thanks,
CK

Hi, there are any number of species that will take them either whole or chopped up, but the only varanid you could house in a 4 x 2 x 2ft enclosure would be one of the pygmy monitors. With all due respect, do you just want a varanid as a "surplus rodent eater", or are you very interested in them as animals? (I`m pretty sure it`s the latter), but always best to ask!!

I agree with murridindi, only some of the dwarf monitors would fit in a cage that size. If you wanted something to whole rats you would need to go with a black throat or water monitor. Those need HUGE cages and aren't recommended as a first monitor, even to someone who is really experienced with other reptiles.

if you go with a much larger cage like the others mentioned go with a Tegu.Others with Tegu experience might argue ,but monitors don't usually like handling-interaction is usually a bonus you might get from monitors but requires a lot of work.This is just from research i've done-monitors interact on their terms and food association to their keeper.

Thank you for the replies thus far. I am interested in having a monitor as a pet. The clean-up factor was a second thought and would be an added bonus. A dwarf monitor sounds like the way to go so I can use the 4x2 cage I already have. Space is limited in my reptile room and I can't get anything bigger cage wise. What about a red ackie? Are they considered a dwarf monitor? How about their temperment? I have had savannah monitors before, but found them kind of boring. I'd prefer something more active than a savannah, but again something that's more on the tame side as a general rule. Thanks again!

Hi again, I respectfully suggest you do some serious "homework" on these animals before you ever think seriously of getting one, if you don`t even know whether a V. acanthurus is a pygmy monitor, you aren`t ready! (At this time)...
I can tell you they`re fascinating animals, but you only get to see them in that way if you know how to care for them properly from the very start. If you found the savannah monitor "boring" (in comparison to what?) maybe you were doing it wrong, can I ask how long you kept the animal, and what happened to it? Thanks. (I wish you good luck)!

I appreciate your concern and constructive comments. I considered coming to the forums with my questions as the beginning of my "homework". Isn't this a place where you can get some help? I'm literally just starting the process and have lots to do before acquiring anything. I may even decide to not get a monitor. The Savannah monitor I had was over 20 years ago. I considered him boring because he slept a lot. I've seen other monitors in reptile stores that seem more inquisitive and seem to come to the glass to check you out just as much as you are checking them out.

Hi kangaskritters, the only way to learn is to ask questions, I (mistakenly), got the impression you were about to get one as you`ve already got the enclosure!
20 years ago we had comepletely different husbandry methods, and compared to what we know and do now, it`s amazing they survived as long as some of them did.
I`ll tell you the pygmy monitors (odastria), are just as interesting and challenging in their own way as the real "giants". V. acanthurus is a good place to start keeping monitors, and the cage you have would be fine, even for a male/female pair. Ask away!!

It should be ODATRIA, forgive my spelling mistake (I should check more closely, before I press "post"!

Thank you for the reply! I think the ackies are attractive so I'm going to focus my research on them for the time being. If anyone has more information they'd like to share about them I'm all ears. Links to good husbandry care sheets would be awesome.

Hello, monitor husbandry can be very simple if you know the essential guidelines. I personally don't favor the care sheet mindset, because I feel it leads too much of a cookie cutter way of doing things (just my opinion). Anyway, monitor husbandry is essentially, "heat 'em and feed 'em" as Frank Retes has said. Monitors in all forms are burrowers by nature, so if you are considering Ackies (which are my favorite monitors that I keep by the way) deep substrate is essential. And by deep I mean the standard is two feet or more of dirt or sandy dirt. Offer a wide range of choices for temp and humidity, with temps ranging from in the mid 70s to the 90s and a basking spot of 120 -150 F. A little more won't hurt, a little less might not, but it seems most keepers agree that 120 is the low end for basking. This is easy to accomplish by raising the basking area to around 6 inches from the lights. Most keepers use 50 watt halogen bulbs, and there is still ongoing debate about uvb being needed or not. Once those basics are covered its pretty much throw lots of food ay your new and voracious lizards, kick back and enjoy the show. Good luck and I hope you enjoy your ackie if your decide to purchase it (I'm sure you will)

Mike W.

Thanks Mike, I appreciate the post! I'm convinced the ackie is the way to go. I'm in no hurry however and will continue to consider the long term impact my decision will make ie. taking vacations, etc. The reason I say that is I worked with bearded dragons recently and they amount of time and food they required made it too difficult to get away with my family. It was too much of a burden to put on a neighbor. Not like feeding the cat.

Hi Moe64, not sure what "research" you`ve done on varanids, but ALL animals react to us on their terms! In my opinion, monitors are highly intelligent, responsive animals. Yes, of course it`s hard work, and no guarantees, just like with any other creature, but here`s the difference with them as opposed to most other reptiles; they LEARN to a greater extent. Of course, we should always bear in mind the medium/large species are extremely powerful, and even accidently, can cause injuries, but the Tegus are powerful too, and no guarantees with them, either.
ALL animals can react defensively in the blink of an eye, "domestic" or "wild", no difference!!