Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,
I read alot of horror stories about how dangerous a crocodile monitor can be.
My question is, what makes them so much more dangerous, then any of the other giant monitor lizards? thanks Bob

They are extremely fast and powerfull and have terrible claws and dentition.

When these claws just rip on your body the damages are extremes.

Have a look on skull for dentition...

Others giants montors are dangerous, like Komodo, niloticus, big salvator, big panoptes, varius, gigenteus...all are very powerfull lizards. But salvadorii is, effectively, on top with komodo. Even a baby can deliver very nasty bite.

These guy has a medium size female just rip his arm, not on a agressive way, she just slipped on his arm when he was working in the cage.

There are several different reasons, the one that scares me most is the teeth. Ive seen a hatchling cut through a leather glove. It didnt even really bite, its tooth just ran across the glove. If you got a good look at the teeth you would see how they are different than other monitors.

Yes, the teeth are serrated like those of sharks.

Many varanid species have teeth serrated on the back edge, but the V. salvadorii have the longest teeth.
The fact is, a 9ft specimen is almost 2/3rds tail, so not the body length and bulk of an equal total length salvator, or komodoensis.

Large teeth,sharp claws,large size,and low flight or fight distance.Where most other monitors will dash for cover when you get to certain point,Salavordorii have less space to fell secure.Also most other monitors give warning signs,where as croc monitors tend to freeze like a deer in head lights and most people do not understand how to read this behavior,and when threatened they will lunge.I don't think they are more aggressive than any other monitor.Just most people do not respect there space

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

@greg... it's varanus salvadorri not rii and jobiensis not jobiesis... IF your so damn smart as to put in latin names atleast spell em right, n what happened???? you skimped out on terrapene ornata ornata.....

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

Hi bmx python, you got it wrong too, it`s Varanus salvadorii, NOT "rri" as you said!!

We have an FAQ on Croc Monitors at our site, link below. Awesome lizards, but not an appropriate captive monitor.

Pro Exotics Croc Monitor FAQ

-----
robyn@proexotics.com

ShipYourReptiles.com
Pro Exotics Reptiles

Robyn
I was hoping you would post!
Especially with that photo.
Mike
-----
Mike's Monitors!

Maybe the pics I saw were yours or maybe you and Tom both have similar photos. Just wonderful aren't they?

N/P
-----
Mike's Monitors!

Tom Crutchfield has some very good accounts on what croc monitors are capable of doing. I even think some of the posts came with photos if you can still pull them up.
I have worked with waters for many years and I am a very hard-headed guy. I have always wanted a croc monitor or two but that is the only reptile my wife has said no to. Normally that would not stop me. Tom's posts made me rethink it a bit.
Someday I will most likely get some but it will be a few years down the road when I have a bit less going on animal wise so I'm not so mentally distracted when working with them.
It is also obvious to me that crocs are not the type of monitor you want to impulse buy and throw in some makeshift cage (fishtank or other). You want to have your cages built and have things well thought out first. Something to consider if you have limited experience with monitors or large monitors.
If you are looking at larger monitors you might want to start with another species. I have always had good luck with waters myself.
If you are looking for something with some size that is arboreal rudicollis are great. They have plenty of attitude and average in the 3 1/2 to 5 foot range, and their aren't as big as the croc monitor's t-rex teeth. they are a bit more fragile and shy than some species though, although I suspect the same of crocs myself.

Dangerous- Yes but I say most accidents could be avoid with a little common sense. You put a croc in a fish tank and even I hope you get bite for being stupid.
I have dealt with a few crocs in a span of almost 10 years. If given the proper space, adjustment time, and setup they are very rewarding captives.
The problem lyes with people grabbing them up, sticking them in a vision or vision tank and acting like it is a beardered dragon.

Personally I would not prefer a 6ft species of any varanid to latch its self to me. I have had 4ft crocs nail me but all my fault. Actually my tristis tristis hold the title for most bites to my flesh right now .

By no means do I suggest anyone keep crocs as most will not house them right. I'm still learning everyday myself.

They should sell common sense with every monitor purchase

Cheers, Dustin

The problem IS most the people getting them do not have the talents or ability that dustin has. So they get sent off to the hospital and or the monitor dies a nasty death in some silly box, because the keeper is afraid of the animal.

Then when they do take a nasty bite, its one more nail in the coffin of our ability to keep these animals.

In my experience, I have kept and bred them. Croc monitors are far from being a nasty monitor. In fact, they are most likely one of the nicer species, but they carry the biggest gun and will use it if they have to. Which is the problem.

The only problem with croc monitors is, they take monitor bites into the big leagues. You can suffer permanet damage. Which is not going to happen with a tristis.

The meanest varanid I ever saw was a V.storrs. The second was a Tri-colored monitor. Croc monitors are somewhere way down the list.

Thank god, I never took a bite from an adult. I did take a bite or two from my hatchlings. Cheers