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By far my favorite varanid is the V. Salvadorii without question. I wanted to see some big ones, but have yet to see some. I was looking for pics and I saw that N.E.R.D. has a pretty big one. Then I saw this one...

Hopefully the pic will work. I saw this pic on the Mampam Conservation website(mampam.com). I wanted to know this big boy's size. A really beautiful animal. Does anyone have any other big croc pics? I hear they can reach 13ft and I would love to see one. Preferably in the wild, but captivity is fine.

Also, I heard at my reptile society, before feeding they produce a red fluid. Can anyone confirm that or know its purpose? Is it comparable to the rancid mouth of V. Komodoensis?

Sorry to bother you, I am just a curious teen that is probing everyone for knowledge on Varanus.

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Starkey
2.2 Colombian Boa Constrictors
1.1 Amazon Tree Boas
1.1 Taiwan Beauty Snakes
1.0 Jungle Carpet Python
B.O.A. INC.
Looking for articles on Boa constrictor constrictor, Imperator, and Varanus(Specically the V. olivaceus and V. Salvadorii)

Hi,
Yes, V. salvadorii is an amazing species...the largest one I know of here in continental USA is at Brownsville Zoo down in Brownsville, TX. I am told it is 10 feet total length.

The maximum size for this species is unknown, and the brownsville specimen is the largest readily and reliably known. There are reports of 12-13-14-15-20 feet in total length, but all of those are unconfirmed and/or not entirely reliable reports.

The red fluid you speak of exuding from V. salvadorii is true, but to-date nobody knows for sure what is it, or why they do this. Other pacific and African Varanus do this too: V. indicus, V. bengalensis, V. jobiensis, V. salvadorii, V. komodoensis, V> melinus, and V. niloticus - aquatic, semi-aquatic, terrestrial and arboreal species' do this...I have been searching in vain for the explanation of what this fluid is - I know where it comes from, and how, but so far not what it is?? I do not think it is a bacterialogic fauna seen in komodo monitors.

cheers,
markbayless

I was hoping you would reply to this message. I must credit you for being the one to actually get me so interested in Varanus and I must say thanks. I was present at your talk at the NCHS in january. That is when I heard about the red fluid from V. Salvadorii. So, ya... Thanks again for the reply your information is always useful.
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Starkey
2.2 Colombian Boa Constrictors
1.1 Amazon Tree Boas
1.1 Taiwan Beauty Snakes
1.0 Jungle Carpet Python
B.O.A. INC.
Looking for articles on Boa constrictor constrictor, Imperator, and Varanus(Specically the V. olivaceus and V. Salvadorii)

I accompanied Mark to the meeting, so we might have met. If you are looking for information on Salvadorii Mark is definitely the guy to talk to. He also wrote a feature article on them for Reptiles magazine some time ago. I dont have the exact issue info in front of me, but I will post it later. Michelle is the person at NCHS that books the speakers. She has a croc monitor that she is rehabilitating. You should ask her if you can see it. Also, East Bay has the most beautiful young croc monitor at thier store. The only other advice I have to give is actualy not related to this thread but rather to your site. I am sure you mean no harm, but it is illegal to offer Cal kings for sale within the state without a captive breeding permit. And even then it has to be an animal captive produced under a permit. Im sure that you can get more information regarding the permit from the NCHS. As for the site, its looking good! Keep it up!

Michael

HI mike and starkey,

I wrote the crocodile monitor article in the June 1998 issue of Reptiles, pp32-47. It is still one of my favorite articles... but wait till you see what I am working on now! I am having alot of fun with it, and hope it will be as entertaining as the salvadorii article was...

cheers, Best Regards,
markb

Thank you for the info! I have seen pictures of Michelle's croc... poor guy. It is getting better it seems(I saw her photo gallery on kingsnake).

And about the cal king... Excuse my ignorance on that part. Just last weekend I found that out about Californian native fauna. I brought it to Great Valley Serpentarium and they informed me about it. So, I just gave it to Bill(the owner). I know he will take really good care of it. I need to update my site alot, thanks for looking at it!

Thanks again, and I am going to see if I can find that article on croc monitors mark. I would never want to own one, I am just so facinated by them.
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Starkey
2.2 Colombian Boa Constrictors
1.1 Amazon Tree Boas
1.1 Taiwan Beauty Snakes
1.0 Jungle Carpet Python
B.O.A. INC.
Looking for articles on Boa constrictor constrictor, Imperator, and Varanus(Specically the V. olivaceus and V. Salvadorii)

HI Starkey,

Thanks again, I would never want to own one, I am just so facinated by them....

So am I Starkey. Actually they scare me - I've held Komodos and Lace monitors, no problem, but salvadorii make me very nervous...I suppose it is the way they "size you up" when you approach them....

Best Regards,
markb

Hi Starkey,

Hahaha - a pleasure to help you. Did we meet there? I am delighted I got you hooked on Varanus - an addiction you will not soon detach from! hahaha

Cheers,
markb

I am the teenager with the sweatshirt that says Ministry on it, well usually I wear that. I came up to you after the meeting and I emailed you a couple times asking for info about varanus(holygreentea@hotmail.com).

It is really odd though, I am seriously addicted to Varanus, but I am not certain I want to obtain one. I would lover to, but I am not sure I am ready for it. I need some persuasion on the right species...
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Starkey
2.2 Colombian Boa Constrictors
1.1 Amazon Tree Boas
1.1 Taiwan Beauty Snakes
1.0 Jungle Carpet Python
B.O.A. INC.
Looking for articles on Boa constrictor constrictor, Imperator, and Varanus(Specically the V. olivaceus and V. Salvadorii)

http://members.cox.net/bengalensis/bengalensis.html

(rescue animal in temp enclosure)

Hey, they're both looking much better. Keep up the good work

hey michelle,

crocky's looking much better, so is huey.. looking forward to seeing more pics... I'll give you a call sometime soon. Talk to you later,

bob
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www.geocities.com/odatriad

Its always a pleasure to talk to you!
All the best!
Michelle

www.kingsnake.com/dnj

He's got an adult male he holds like a baby

John

6 feet....good luck...billy

check out the mouth....billy