Reptile & Amphibian Forums

im either getting one of these 2 monitors which do u think

First things first. If you dont mind me asking, how old are you?

I did some researching on my own, being a little nosy in the process, and found out these things about you...

Your interest in reptiles seems fairly new.

You have expressed interest in soon buying an iguana, treefrogs, and some inexpensive ("under $130.)monitor. All these ideas have been expressed in the last month or so.

Please dont be offended, but your intentions seem to be very impulsive, and thats generally the kind of interest in something that soons wanes after the "novelty" and "newness" wears off.

Im just trying to get you to really anylize your motives for wanting these animals. Especially since you seem to be in such a hurry to buy them. Im not trying to put you on the spot, ar jump your sh1t. Its just that its too easy to get caught up in "wanting" and impulsive desires, that many things are too easily overlooked. Do some more research. Save some more money. Really take the time out and think about what youre going to do, and the lifetime of responsibility that youre about to commit yourself to.

Please do this one thing before you decide on what kind of monitor youre going to buy. Go to Daniel Bennetts web site www.mampam.com Order his book titled "The truth About Varanus Exanthematicus". Its one of the best ways to spend a lousy 13 bucks. Youll be glad you did, especially if your desire to have and properly care for monitors is as genuine as you think it is.

I wish you only the best in whatever decisions you make,
Michelle

"Wise men learn when they can,
fools learn when they must."
~Arthur Wellington

Michelle,
why can't others repsond like that (with class).
If i was asking the same question i wouldn't take offense and would tell you thanx for telling me what i needed to hear with out all the holier-than-thou attitude..
You should definitely take her advice and get info on the species you want and remember the commitment your in for and that's with any living animal..
Good Luck...

Youre just going to overinflate my ego, and then I may become one of "those" people!
Thanks though, youre too sweet!

thanks guys for the info not to sound cocky but yes i do all the reasearch left yes i want all the animals and i realize after extensive resarch i find things i cwill not be able to do. so i was really asking the people that pwn these types of moniotrs what they thou8ght of them bet since u already posted i cant take it back. o yeah and sorry i aint rich and can afford a 300 dollar monitor or more if i wanted to id buy one and save but i reALly AINT interested in the more expensivermonitors not because of the price tag either pricesmean nothing. im saying i feel i could take care of these animals properly instead of spendingall the money iv saved and only buying the animal and no necessities for it.

I'm also interested in getting a monitor, though I'm looking for something medium sized. The website you listed (mampam.com) seems to mostly sell books on monitors.

Is there any websites out there you reccomend where I could read up on all the different species, before I decide to purchase a book?

I'm just looking for a rough description, i.e. size, temperment, needs, etc etc.

I want to do research online and get a rough idea of the species that would suit me best before I get more serious. Oh and don't worry, I'm 25, have had a few reptiles over the course of my life, and I always to research before purchasing. Thanks for your help.

np
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0.0.7 goldfish

Scary, huh? I am very very sneaky.

Did you ever get that Dumeril? They are awsome animals that really need to be bred in captivity more often. I could see them being super popular if people started breeding them consistantly.

Ratzu is right about that website being a good source for monitor info. Plus the people that visit the forum there are really nice too. Thats always a bonus. Nobody wants to feel bad for asking questions!

-And dont worry, Im not a stalker! Just use the search option above, type in a name, and you get all kinds of info about where that user has posted. You can check mine out if you want. Although Im probably the biggest monitor geek around, and it would take you months to get through all my posts!

Take care,
Michelle

Girlfriend loves her corn snake. It's coming along well, though it is a bit snippy for a baby. I'm not quite sure why it isn't as docile as it was at the pet store. The book we own states all babies need constant handling and patience for a few months, no big surprise there.

As far as the research I was looking for stuff online, but I got annoyed with so many inconsistant reports (seriously, one place said heating requirements for a dumerils was 80-95, the other said 100-125 degrees). I finally bought a monitor / tegu book at LLL reptile this weekend.

Don't worry though, I DO research everything I buy. And I've raised a few critters. I know the money that will be involved, and its not a problem. Raising Beardies when I was younger taught me a lot. Anyway thanks for your help, I'm going to read the book tonight and narrow down whats right for me. Hope to talk to you again.

-tray

There are good ones out there, but theyre few and far between.

My first monitor book was Micheal Balsai's Savannah Monitor Huusbandry. Its pretty bad compared to all the info out now, nearly 14 years since that 1st edition came out! I sometimes look through it from time to time and get a little laugh. Thats really not a very long time and care practices have changed tremendously.

I look forward to talking to you as well.

Michelle

Moniters, Tegus, and Related Lizards. Published by Barrons. Looks to have either a nile or similar black / yellow coloring on the cover, and a pic of a savannah on the back. This book up to date?

Is it the 1996 edition with the bonus chapter "how to understand your monitor"...I think its called? R.D. Bartlett(one of the authors), has written quite a bit of litterature on various reptiles. He has vast experience and knowledge, however I dont have this particular book, and havent read it, so I cant really say much about its contents. From seeing a few pages of it online, it appears to be pretty decent. I think it was a good 8-11 dollar investment. I do reccomend that you also pick up Daniel Bennetts book as well. Its my varanus bible!

And the most accurate info on keeping them. The book is inexpensive and if its price is too much then you better rethink ever getting a monitor. The proper caging, proper food, proper vet care, etc are all expensive and make the price of the animal seem like nothing at all. The book is about $13, and a savannah alone cost at least $5 so I guess a purpose built 4x4x8 ft cage is out of the question then.
Monitors are expensive, if you are worried about saving a few bucks and not getting a few books or taking time to research, you would be better off with a soft cuddly warm kitten then.

Read my post, I'm just doing research online and getting an idea of what interests me before jumping in and purchasing a book, then a monitor if all goes well. Thanks for your concern though. While kittens are cute, I'm allergic. Hence my interests in reptiles. =)

n/p

Oh no Tray, your doing fine! I think that SHvar accidently posted after your name. What he said just didnt make sense if he was talking to you. It was more suited to the other guys remarks about limited spending etc.
Youre cool, dont worry. Ill really jump your sh1t when you start scr*wing up though! You just watch your step buddy!

Hehe. It makes sense now, I'm just not used to this forum format.

Anyway though thanks for your advice. So far the book isn't as informative as I'd hoped, so I'm going to check out the website and prolly order a book later this week.

I hope to become a regular here. Thanks again for your help!

neither of these animals will be captive bred, so there are moral/ethical things to consider. In the case of the mangrove, it will probably be a wild caught adult or subadult and a really really unsuitable first time monitor.

If the cost of the monitor is so important (under $130), monitors probably aren't a wise choice. In no time at all, the cost of feeding and housing it will outstrip your initial $130.

ok whered 130 come from? i said i b4 bc thats how much i had then i have 230 have i have a cage i have lighting i have everything feeding is the only thing and i can afford that to