Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello all. I currently have two savs, and I'm looking into getting a smaller bodied monitor in the future. One that will utilize a tall enclosure (due to spatial concerns).

I like the looks of timors, dumerils, and v. tristis. Anyone who has these types monitors, could you please share your thoughts on them, as well as pictures of their enclosures? I'm also open to suggestions. I'd likely be able to build a 7'-8' tall enclosure that is maybe 3'x4' or possibly 4'x5'. Willing to spend about $200. Ideas?

Now that I'm researching their adult sizes, I see I'll need a larger enclosure. I'm completely flexible with that.

I have both a Timor and a Dumerils monitor. Both awesome animals. The Dumeril is a very active guy that is intrested in whats going on and exploring. The Timor is super shy, but he is out basking every morning when I wake up so I get to watch him before I get out of bed and then he hides in the afternoon. My timor is getting to the point that he is comfortable with me around the cage in the morning but that has taken a year and a half to get there.
I think either one would make a great addition for you.
Best of luck.

I too love dumeriliis,but you will need a larger enclosure.

Here is a pic of the enclosure

My male

My female

Greg
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1.1 Varanus Rudicollis
2.0.3 Varanus jobiesis
0.0.1 Ornate box turtle
0.1 Varanus Salvidorii
0.0.2 Varanus Salvator

Very cool pics! My opinion, not that it matters much, but I would highly recommend ackies. None in the states are imported, very active, very bold, and you can m get away with smaller caging. They will climb if you give them the head room. If not ackies, then probably the tristis. I havent kept any tristis yet, but I've heard the females can be shy.
Good luck!

Mike W

Ackies definitely look cool, I was debating on them as well.

I have a trio of yellows, they are awesome! Abd compared to my sav and outreach throat they are far more out going so it allows me to observe more behavior. Plus, they don't get nearly as big as a lot of other species, and, for the most part, they get along great with other ackies as well. So less worry about introducing a cage mate. Whatever species you choose next, good luck!

Mike W

How large of an enclosure would you say they need? And with the plastic tubing, do they create their own burrows as well or are the content to use those alone? Just curious.

What's your enclosure like for both animals? I'm very interested in both, just want to make sure I can provide an adequate environment for them. I can't find any reliable information on keeping these guys in particular.

Dumeriliis are a good monitor to work with.They don't get as big as some of the other species.They do get about 4 feet so you will need at least a 8 foot enclosure.They are a tropical monitor so they like it hot and humid,they also like to dig and spend a lot of time buried in the substrate so at least 2 feet of dirt and sand with some leaves as well (if you look at them they where meant to be in leaves)I personally love these animals they usually settle down well in captivty and have a good personalty.The biggest problem is they dry out quick so dehydration is a big issue with them,and why it is so important to provide a good humid cage with lots of options for them to prevent them from becoming dehydrated.There was a good site on them but I think the guy took it down but it was roughneckmonitor.com if its still up it has a lot of good info

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1.1 Varanus Rudicollis
2.0.3 Varanus jobiesis
0.0.1 Ornate box turtle
0.1 Varanus Salvidorii
0.0.2 Varanus Salvator

So, after some more research and a bit of feedback, I think I'm going to go with the smaller, quieter Timor. I've also come upon v. auffenbergi, which is very similar. Does anyone know if there is any difference in the two besides color?

As a tree monitor, would an adult timor do well in an 8'Hx4'Wx4'D enclosure? How large of an enclosure would a pair require?

Sorry for all the questions, I just can't seem to find any really reliable information on this species. All help is appreciated.

Thank you,

JoOaks

That's a good size cage for them.You don't neccessarily have to make it that high-just makes it harder to heat.Research Varanus similis,they are the New Guinea form,that aren't as shy as V timorensis,auffenbergi.There have been a few posts by some of the experienced keepers who have noted their more outgoing personalities-less likely to have'empty cage syndrome'.
Moe