Reptile & Amphibian Forums

ROBYN I LOVED YOUR ARTICLE ON WATER MONITORS AND PLAN TO GET A COUPLE OF THEM IN THE FUTURE. I KNOW HOW TO FEED A BABY AND I KNOW THEY ARE GOIN TO EAT ALOT OF RATS. WHAT AM I LOOKING AT AS FAR AS FEEDING A ADULT WATER? SOLID RATS OR DO I MIX IN SOME GROUND TURKY AND CHICKS AND JUST HOW MUCH ARE THESE THINGS GOING TO EAT 1-3MED. RATS PER DAY? I BREED MY OWN RATS SO ITS NOT A PROBLEM. I WANT THE MOST INFO I CAN GET ON THESE BEFORE I GIVE YOU A CALL TO GET THEM. SPACE ISNT A PROBLEM EATHER IM IN THE PROCESS OF BUILDING A VERY LARGE ENCLOSER WITH A ACSESS DOOR TO A OUTSIDE CAGE FOR SUMMER MONTHS.THANX

You could try their care sheet.
Pro Exotics Caresheet.

NOPE, EVERY THING I HAVE FOUND TELLS ME HOW TO GET ONE STARTED AND WHAT NOT TO FEED THEM. IF THERE IS ANYBODY OUT THERE WITH A LARGE MONITOR THAT CAN TELL ME WHAT THEY FEED THERE LIZARDS AND HOW OFTEN THEY DO SO PLEASE LET ME KNOW. I DONT WANT TO READ ANY MORE CARE SHEETS I HAVE READ THEM ALL.

Rodents are usually the main stay throughout life. Fish & other meat can be given as a seven ft. male salvator I know is fed once a week but may miss a day or 2 to keep his weight down. Care sheets are good to use as a reference esp. Pro-Exotics since again, the basics stay the same just proportions change. Care for a young salvator is no diff. from that of an adult except it needs a larger cage/room, larger amounts of food at times b/c in actuallity younger animals need more food to grow so are feed more often, unless you are breeding in which case the females need more food also.

the variables are the key : )

you are asking a question without a definitive answer. feeding amounts and frequency depends on many different factors.

basically, you assume a healthy adult monitor, and you expect to feed 2-5 days a week, rodents at most feedings (large adult monitors can still enjoy bugs, especially large roaches). the actual quantity is determined by the relationship between the monitor and the keeper, and the needs established. you don't gorge the animal each feeding, but gauge the amount of mice or rats to get the job done : )

it sounds cryptic, but it is not, it is just one of those "you gotta judge for yourself" situations : )

best of luck!
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robyn@proexotics.com

Pro Exotics Reptiles

THANX