Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am considering my first Varanus acquisition. I am quite excited about a possible new venture into V. acanthurus. I'm not unfamiliar with the natural history of many Varanus, but I would like "some" opinions. Please note that I DO NOT want any opinions from novice keepers.
For the experienced keepers:
Does natural sunlight/outdoor housing affect temperament/well-being in Varanus?
I have done some online research, but I must say that my Varanus library isn't impressive. I'm a herp enthuiast, but my herpetoculture experiences are limited to snakes. Snake bites (non-venomus of course) are much less painful than those of a large lizard I do enjoy handling my herps from time to time. Varanus herpetoculture is in it's infancy, but what are your opinions on sunlight and it's affect on Varanus. There is a lot of information on the web; I'm trying to sort through the mass. Apparently, Water monitors exposed to direct sunlight are much more "wild" than those kept indoors. If I do commit to acanthurus, I would like a handleable animal. The virility that sunlight may offer is also on my mind. Shane

Let me start by saying that I have never kept any monitors outdoors full time, but I have always made it a point to get them direct, unfiltered sunlight for at least a few hours every week in a sunning enclosure (wood and hardware cloth). I have noticed that after around 30 minutes in the sun, normally tractable animals CAN become very defensive, though it's not the rule. I have also noticed that once picked up and handled for a minute or two, they lose this wildness. I have also noticed that I can hold one in the sun for an hour without it getting wound up. It seems that as long as there is physical contact, there is no heightened defense mode. I think it is a combination of natural sunlight, fresh air and a feeling of being exposed that sets them off. That being said, I have also noticed it alot more in juveniles than adults. As they get bigger there is alot less for them to be afraid of. These have been my experiences with Niles, one Sav, Waters and even a B/W tegu. Of course, your results may vary.Best of luck with your new venture!
Billy

>>I am considering my first Varanus acquisition. I am quite excited about a possible new venture into V. acanthurus. I'm not unfamiliar with the natural history of many Varanus, but I would like "some" opinions. Please note that I DO NOT want any opinions from novice keepers.
>>For the experienced keepers:
>>Does natural sunlight/outdoor housing affect temperament/well-being in Varanus?
>>I have done some online research, but I must say that my Varanus library isn't impressive. I'm a herp enthuiast, but my herpetoculture experiences are limited to snakes. Snake bites (non-venomus of course) are much less painful than those of a large lizard I do enjoy handling my herps from time to time. Varanus herpetoculture is in it's infancy, but what are your opinions on sunlight and it's affect on Varanus. There is a lot of information on the web; I'm trying to sort through the mass. Apparently, Water monitors exposed to direct sunlight are much more "wild" than those kept indoors. If I do commit to acanthurus, I would like a handleable animal. The virility that sunlight may offer is also on my mind. Shane

Monitors as captives are brand new to me. I believe it was Bartlett who wrote about the Water monitors and the outdoors, but I don't recall for sure. It did seem interesting to me. Thanks for your comments. Shane

I remember that book, but can't recall the author. He talked about Waters at the Bronx zoo I believe where in the winter the animals were very tractable and sociable with their keepers but when put in outside enclosures in the summer became extremely aggressive, then returned to their other personalities again when brought back inside. For what it's worth, I've noticed the same thing with boids, if left alone out in the sun. As long as I handle them, there is no problem, but leave them alone for awhile outside and the get very agro! Again, good luck with your new adventure! Billy

>>Monitors as captives are brand new to me. I believe it was Bartlett who wrote about the Water monitors and the outdoors, but I don't recall for sure. It did seem interesting to me. Thanks for your comments. Shane

They dont use UV light and the sunlight makes them nervous after living indoors, as well as makes them watchout for predators and dangers, the sunlight makes no attitude difference in a monitor. If you take out and make a bad interpretation of behavior you would say it scared and acts differently in the sun because of the UV light, or something like that. As a matter of fact if you take one outdoors and they act funny there are some changes needed to the indoor husbandry. Many thousands of monitors have lived without UV light and thousands reproduce as well as a million other things without ever getting exposed to it. Its been shown in some cases to add a yellowish color to some or make it brighter. Many people who made that outdoor and sunlight quote for books they wrote seem as if they have no experience with the animal or cannot figure out what their behavior means.

Out of curiosity, in your opinion what husbandry changes would need to be made if your monitor acts funny when you take it outside? And what is defined as funny behavior? Billy

>>They dont use UV light and the sunlight makes them nervous after living indoors, as well as makes them watchout for predators and dangers, the sunlight makes no attitude difference in a monitor. If you take out and make a bad interpretation of behavior you would say it scared and acts differently in the sun because of the UV light, or something like that. As a matter of fact if you take one outdoors and they act funny there are some changes needed to the indoor husbandry. Many thousands of monitors have lived without UV light and thousands reproduce as well as a million other things without ever getting exposed to it. Its been shown in some cases to add a yellowish color to some or make it brighter. Many people who made that outdoor and sunlight quote for books they wrote seem as if they have no experience with the animal or cannot figure out what their behavior means.

np

This is why a usable temp gradient from 130 to 70s are given for their cages. Dirt that they can dig in, etc etc. There are some things that they act differently about, one is flying objects they fear large flying or high flying objects.

What do either of these things have to do with a monitor acting "funny" when taken outside? I don't see the point. You said if a monitor acts funny outside, you need to change some things about it's indoor husbandry. How would not offering a proper temp gradient cause a monitor to act funny outside? Not offering a proper temp gradient would either cause it to act lethargic (not warm enough) or hyperactive with constant escape attempts and possibly soaking (not cool enough). These are hugely generalized statements, of course. And you still haven't defined funny for me. Acting leary or cautious or downright scared of overhead objects is not funny, it's natural. So please back your statements up before making generalizations. Overall, I have never had any ill or negative effects with my monitors as a result of taking them outside and believe that it benefits them in subtle ways. Billy

>>This is why a usable temp gradient from 130 to 70s are given for their cages. Dirt that they can dig in, etc etc. There are some things that they act differently about, one is flying objects they fear large flying or high flying objects.

The way I intended it.

"What do either of these things have to do with a monitor acting "funny" when taken outside? I don't see the point. You said if a monitor acts funny outside, you need to change some things about it's indoor husbandry."
I said if you take a monitor outdoors and it acts differently than it does in its indoor cage (minus of course flying objects etc that scare them) you need to make changes to the indoor setup.
"How would not offering a proper temp gradient cause a monitor to act funny outside? Not offering a proper temp gradient would either cause it to act lethargic (not warm enough) or hyperactive with constant escape attempts and possibly soaking (not cool enough). These are hugely generalized statements, of course. And you still haven't defined funny for me. Acting leary or cautious or downright scared of overhead objects is not funny, it's natural. So please back your statements up before making generalizations. Overall, I have never had any ill or negative effects with my monitors as a result of taking them outside and believe that it benefits them in subtle ways. Billy"

Without typing a long answer, what Im trying to say is that outdoors (in proper set of conditions) your animal will act in a set of behaviors that is normal (not funny, unless you compare an indoor monitor thats set up without enough options or incorrectly). Minus things that scare it strange new things that it doesnt recognize, if your monitor acts differently to you, or around you, or is more flighty, tail whips (when indoors it doesnt) or any noticeable difference, you should look at whats causing that difference and offer an option that will induce normal behavior, starting with a look at basic husbandry, or caging, then details of temps, humidity, etc etc, see if your limiting options.

They don't NEED UV. They certainly use it to produce vitamin D3 in order to metabolise calcium, but it's believed they don't need it if there is a dietary source of vitamin D3.

Hey DK. Good point. Are there any food sources that contain D3 for better calcium absorption besides calcium dust w d3? I'm thinking eggs, maybe some types of fish, in small amounts of course. Doesnt have to be fed directly, maybe just to feeders.

Another reason for whole animals isnt it...