Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok guys i know i said i was positive i was getting an ackie but as i was researching i ran into some peachthroat info and i read that they get 3ft long which isnt that much bigger than an ackie. But i was wondering if anyone had a peachthroat and could tell me how they like it? Are they active, aggressive, Etc. I know ive been posting alot and it doesnt seem like i did any research but i think the best research is other peoples opinions. Im asking all these questions so i know. Im not gonna run out to the store right away and buy one so dont get that idea ....Thanks

16-19 inches for a yellow and 19-24 for a red. The peachthroat is a medium sized species that loves to climb and is very beautiful also. Ask Robert about them as he has some. I believe the average sized of a Peachthroat is 3ft or more (they are larger animals). Research is better than asking these questions as there are a few good books you should read before getting a monitor. The Daniel Bennett Savannah book is the best captive care book ever written, Rob Fausts nile book runs a good second, King and Greens monitor book explains what a monitor is and is a great place to understand how they operate. Daniel B also wrote a bigger monitor book that is also a good read with some older info, but covers many species. The forum is a great place to get questionsmanswered but you are basically jumping into this before doing any research (how big they get is only one in a million questions you should be asking, as proper husbandry along with proper food is more important). Id read the daniel B Savannah book from to back before you make your mind up on getting a monitor.

I am really torn with how to respond to these threads. I do own a 'few' jobiensis, and they are one of my favorite species.

I could tell you exactly what most books say, which in my opinion are complete misconceptions based off of stressed imports that have not become used to captivity.

I could tell you the truth, but then you will get an import, kill it, or grow tired of it treating you like satan and sell it in six months and call me a liar.

And no, they aren't just a bit bigger than ackies, males often exceed 3ft TL. A 4ft male peachthroat is not unheard of in captivity. Temperment wise, I find them to be very similiar to argus in many ways, including feeding response.

This is nothing against you, or the other people asking for very generic things about species. Opinions are all a matter of perspective. Personally, I feel if you have to ask (and the opinions are important to you) about this species, you are not ready for them. My opinion will not make you feel better, when you have had a lizard for many months, it hasn't eaten in weeks, and you never see it. You have to have a certain dedication to stick with things no matter how bad they get, to really appreciate this species.

If you want an opinion get something c.b., crosses (gouldii complex), ackies, etc. avoid the w.c. indo species.

--Robert

None of these really shows how big a male can get, I do have a pic of a large male, but it is not mine, so I will not share it.

The top pic is a female, of course.

--Robert

damn those look so nice

although they look nice, what you should be noticing in those photos (since you said earlier that temperament was important) is the blood on Robert's wrist (from claws) and the open mouthed threat in the bottom photo.

While the damage they do is very superficial compared to say a lace monitor, they do deserve respect and are not ever going to be a lap lizard. They can be very endearing captives, with outgoing personalities, but it does not come easy and sometimes seemingly not at all. If they are ever available c.b., they will probably be much more consistently rewarding.

--Robert

PS - Keep up with the photos DK, I always enjoy them.

I have a female, she is about 3 feet or so. She eats like a champ! I feed her fish, pink mice crickets, superworms cooked eggs, she loves anything I throw at her. she will allow you to handle her for about 10 minutes or so, then she starts biting. In her enclosure she has a set activity cycle. She basks under the basking light for an hour or so, then goes down to the floor of the enclosure to find some food. After that, she climbs to the top of the cage, away from the lamp and sleeps, then after a few hours she'll go back down to the waterbowl and soak for a long time. Then she starts all over again. She will break her routine if the cage is opened and food is tossed in, but other than that, she has a set pattern. I think she's great!