Reptile & Amphibian Forums

do i really need to have dirt for my ackies? I dont plan on breeding them. I was thinking about putting a little box full of dirt for them and the rest of the tank with aspen or mulch...Ill also have alot of hiding spots...

One thing first, you can't breed monitors, they breed themselves. I would say that you should use dirt. But you need to research what composes the substrate they use in the wild and what they use it for. If you have a male and female in, they will most likely start breeding. The female could become gravid and need somewhere to lay. Without dirt, or something that can hold a real burrow (cypress doesnt't), many things could happen to the female. She could become egg bound and either need surgery of pass away, the stress from not having somewhere she feels is sufficent to lay could kill her. I didn't have dirt that my female flavi liked or could recoginze, so she was very, very taxed after just laying on top of the dirt. Dirt allows for temperature and humidity choices, also things that cypress doesn't really provide. It will be well worth it to spent the extra time and effort to find a suitable dirt they can recognize. Who knows, you might produce some babies you can be proud of or make a little money to fund other monitors you might want. But ultimatly it's up to you to do the best for your monitors. Good luck. -Jeff

They still lay eggs, and need a place to lay or can die. They recognize dirt, they use dirt, therefore if you get a monitor, why not give it what it wants? After seeing a monitor living in dirt youll never want to wish any existance without it. So what if they are dirty, they are happy when dirty. If so much against what they need, then try a different pet something that doesnt need dirt. Even arboreal monitors burrow and live in dirt.

Thanks for replying guys/gals....I was just curious. Cause ill be getting some ackies soon.

Is it necesary for you to have a roof over your head?

No, but it greatly increases your comfort and chances at survival.

An ackies burrow is its HOME!

If you can't provide one with a home, then why get one?