Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've been into reptiles for a pretty long time, and I've just decided to get into monitors. The biggest cage I can get is 6'x6'. I've been thinking about three species mostly. Black throats, Dumerils, and Savannas, all seem to suit me, from what I've read. I'm asking of a recomendation of a monitor that will do good in the 6'x6' enclosure, and one that wont be overly agressive. Whatever recommendations I get I will look into very deeply, and make an educated decision, of coarse; I just need a starting point. Thanks.
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My blood is workin', but my, my heart is...DEAD!

All three monitors u suggested grow to about the same size, and a 6'x6' enclosure would be enough to house any of their adult sizes. Personally, I would choose the black throat, simply because Dumerils and Sav's colors tend to fade as they grow older, causing them to look rather bland, while black throats keep their beautiful patterns forever. As for temperament, all three tend to tame rather easily, with regular handling. But you cant go into your purchase expecting to get a tame little angel, All monitors are unique and every one has its own personality. You have to go into your purchase hoping for the best, but expecting the worst. I hope I helped,

good luck!
_JT_

Thanks, you did help a lot. I'm not going to be too disappointed if I end up with the monitor from Hell, as I'm mostly getting into it for their beauty and such, but a tame one would definatly make it easier. Also, this 6'x6' is outside, it will be heated and protected and all, and I live in Southern California, so it seems ok to me, but I want to make sure. Does it sound ok?
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My blood is workin', but my, my heart is...DEAD!

Uhmm excuse me.. Black Throats will get up to 6 ft or more.. Savannah's are 4 ft or less.. and Dumerils about the same as a Sav though less heavy bodied (I think) Dumerils and Savannah's would do well in a 6ft cage but an Ionides would be cramped in that cage.. they require more like 10 ft cages...
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Lucien

1.1 Columbian Redtail Boa (BCI)(Sutekh and Isis)
2.2 Leopard geckos (2 Blizzards (Caine and Goliath), 1 het Blizzard (Lilith) and 1 Tangerine Albino (Tequila Sunrise ...Tiki for short))
0.1 Savannah Monitor (Kiros)
13 rats
5 Gerbils
2 Dogs (Loki and Storm)
2 cats (Sahara and Hercules)

So is 36 square feet not enough for a six foot lizard? Ok, maybe a Dumeril's? I've heard those are (usuaully) very easy going.
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My blood is workin', but my, my heart is...DEAD!

Not really for a lizard who does have the potential to get to 8 ft.. thats a large specimen but its possible.. Dumerils I would say would do well in that size cage but not an Ionides... Cage sizes for them I've seen as.. 10L x 6W x 6H.. that would be the least amount of space I'd put them in. Preferably I'd have a whole room for one.
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Lucien

1.1 Columbian Redtail Boa (BCI)(Sutekh and Isis)
2.2 Leopard geckos (2 Blizzards (Caine and Goliath), 1 het Blizzard (Lilith) and 1 Tangerine Albino (Tequila Sunrise ...Tiki for short))
0.1 Savannah Monitor (Kiros)
13 rats
5 Gerbils
2 Dogs (Loki and Storm)
2 cats (Sahara and Hercules)