Reptile & Amphibian Forums

In the past I have had many lizards and snakes...you can check what we currently own at the bottom of this message...we lost each animal with care and devotion...personally I am facinated with lizards...and honestly, the bigger they are, the more facinated I become...Now....

Since it is an impossibility and a total unreality to own a komodo dragon...(not to mention insanity)...this particular bug lizard is out of the question...

Water monitors are very big and truely the one I am after...I would actually prefer to house two of them...but I want to be able to do this right...I don't want to cut corners and I don't want to half ass things...SO:

I have a room that is 9' by 8' which would be 72 square feet...I'm not sure if this is suitable for a single monitor let alone a pair! But I'd like some feedback on this....
(If the room is too small I'll have to go with savannahs...)

ALSO: do monitors need UV??? I hear mixed reviews on this....

ALSO IF ANYONE HAS CONVERTED A ROOM I WOULD LOVE TO SEE PICTURES!!!

THANKS
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Chris

1.2.0 Bearded Dragons
1.2.0 Green Basilisks
1.1.0 Crested Geckos
1.2.0 Veiled Chameleons
1.1.0 Corn Snakes
1.0.0 Tokay Geckos
0.0.1 California Kingsnakes
2.5.1 Leopard Geckos

And its easier to keep track of them in a smaller cage. They will need a very big cage someday, possibly much bigger for a pair. After all they can reach 9 ft, needs to be considered when building a cage.
Something also to look at, why is it that anyone who actually has monitors breeding doesnt use UV lighting at all. Look at the outdoor cage at the Natl. Zoo for Komodos, its mostly glass outside and glass filters most UV, as well the solid roof. Monitors get Vit D3 from animal fat from whole animal foods (mice, peeps, rabbits, etc).

n/p
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Chris

1.2.0 Bearded Dragons
1.2.0 Green Basilisks
1.1.0 Crested Geckos
1.2.0 Veiled Chameleons
1.1.0 Corn Snakes
1.0.0 Tokay Geckos
0.0.1 California Kingsnakes
2.5.1 Leopard Geckos

But the wavelength needed for production of vit D3 in some reptiles is 280-308nm, those bulbs would have to be 1-3 inches away from the animal to be of any use. I think some more accurate testing on the real need for UV in reptiles is needed. So far a test was done with chuckwallas and proved that they didnt need it.
I havent wasted my money on UV bulbs for a few years with monitors because all of mine before I used the bulbs and after them didnt need it.
So far the only proven benefit to UV lighting for monitors is that in some cases it brightens the animals colors.Its up to you to decide if you want the added expense. A quote from a large manufacturer of reptile bulbs and supplements etc.;
"When a customer walks in to a store and sees a new product for their animal, and they have $6 on them, they will spend that $6 on the product whether its of any benefit or not because it makes them feel like they are doing some good for the animal".

well,
it has not been proven that the uv bulb have any effect on monitors but it cant hert them so it's really up to you.
an 8' by 9' room would be good for a few savvana's or a few argusts but i think you shouyld only put one water monitor in there considering they get 8' long and 80-90 pounds

Thats a wild animal, and they could get bigger in captivity, who knows. If someone wants a water monitor they should have some prior monitor experience as they are going straight into a very very big powerful animal that can get itself, them, and the rest of us in trouble if they arent prepared for the responsibility. Our ability to keep these animals rests in each of us being responsible for our charges. After all an adult water could rip a screen out of a window frame then be loose in a neighborhood.