Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am going to get a Varanus Prasinus, I have experience whith uromastyx and chameleon. But not whith varanus. So I need full information about Varanus prasinus prasinus, I have read some about monitors, but I haven´t got too much information about prasinus.
So would be aprecite any answer.
Regards.
Vano

Spain

Out of all the monitors you could have chosen from, what made you choose this partcular kind?

Best Regards,
Michelle

Is no very big, is very nice, and sorry I forget I keep also chondros.
Regards.
Vano.

Please could anybody help me. I don´t need extra questions.

Prasinus is not a beginners monitor. They are easily stressed, and not exactly the kind of speciman that makes a good pet. I was wondering what your motives were, because of those two facts. Heck, my boyfriend wants one. Would I advise it, hell no. He hasnt any monitor experience(except for helping me change water dishes and build my cages). Hes had iguanas, various snakes etc. Its not even close to being the kind of experience that could be applied to the care of a varanid. Especial one of the more delicate ones.

If youre truly serious, I reccomend you hop over to varanus.nl and post over there. There are experienced tree monitor keepers over there that will assist with husbandry q's.

Rgrds,
MR

Why is caring for iguanas and having various snakes insufficient to even begin to apply toward keeping a varanid?

In general terms, I think maintaining (in decent health) an iguana is excellent experience and preparation for keeping a monitor. I have both and both are challenging in their own way. Regardless of how much we love monitors they are still lizards and not some alien lifeform with bizarre needs or care.

In fact, although I have never had an ackie I have had quite a few monitors. My feeling is that ackies might even make an excellent beginner lizard, along the lines of beardeds.

I also still believe that savannahs make decent beginner monitors. They do not get that large and are often very forgiving of mistakes (both in handling and in care). Even wild caught ones usually do well if kept at the minimum level of care. All this "you must take them to a vet because they are WC" crap is overkill. Have a basic level of knowledge and a WC one will do fine. Is it right to be taking WC ones? That is a different question than whether or not they make decent "beginner" monitors.

What exactly should constitute sufficient experience with reptiles before getting a monitor and why and how does one get that experience?

I agree there are some monitor species that are probably less rewarding than others as a first time monitor. Niles rank first among the easily accessible, unsatisfying monitors. Prasinus are also among those that are probably not very satisfying as a first time monitor, though a lot harder to acquire. Timors are in that list too.

NOTE to the guy getting a prasinus. You are choosing a very difficult monitor and you may enjoy some of the many other available monitors more than you will a prasinus. Look around before committing to a prasinus.

Iguanas and snakes both require much care and upkeep(iguanas more so than the pythons that my boybriend has had). However I dont hink that keeping thsese species provides a person with the experience that would be handy when having a monitor such as a prasinus. -Especially when were talking about first time varanid keepers. I am agreement with you that there are many more suited Varanids for the inexperienced keeper.

~Rgrds,
Michelle

you DO need lots of questions.

Poor choice for a first monitor. Get something captive bred and easier to keep. How about Varanus acanthurus.

Hello Vano,

I have written an in-depth paper on V. prasinus complex - all of them known to-date. Please email me and we can discuss your situation....do you have Daniel Bennett's book, "Monitor Lizards"?

Good Luck,
mbayless