Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a 4 year old male common nile that I've had since he was a hatchling. In the past year and a half, he has started getting beautiful bright color in his patterns. I have looked around and found no information on this and I haven't seen any other pictures like it.

Does anyone else know why this is happening? He has neon yellow, bright teal and light blue clearly visible in the photos I have taken. It's the same regardless of the type of light, indoors, outdoors, so don't tell me it's a trick of the lighting, I'm getting tired of that answer.

I think it's beautiful but strange that I don't see more like him.


Any ideas?

Gigi
Meridian, MS
photos of Angus the common nile monitor

Sorry, the pics didn't show up, here they are again (I hope)

Gigi

If these don't show up let me know

Oh drat. I just uploaded the pics to my member gallery, just view my pics and you'll see them.

Gigi

it's a common Nile. Pretty animal, but very tiny for four years (unless your cat is some sort of monster). Do you let it free roam all of the time?

He suffered from weakened bones due to a false uv light that I purchased (and didn't know it wasn't what I was told it was) and he got a little stunted early on but the vet says he doesn't see any reason for it to stunt him in the long run. He made amazing recovery after that and is catching up.

As for free roaming, yes. he has his own room with lots of climbing things and a window box he can crawl into and look out into the yard and he has his own pool but he likes to roam the house during the day and does his daily patrols. He retreats to his room when he wasnts to be left along and comes out when he wants to be sociable. He's been free in the house for a little over a year now and it works out fine.

the red cat in the pic is huge, the grey cat is normal. Angus is 45" long and weighs about 11 lbs or so. So he's healthy and happy and well adjusted, that's all that matters.

Correct my if I'm wrong guys, but I thought UVB was not necessary for monitors.... ASLONG as they are getting a proper diet.

ALL reptiles need uv lights or they can't metabolise vitamin D without it. Their bodies have to synthesize vitamin D and the only was is with UV. They can live without it but they won't be as healthy and their bones will weaken with time. It also affects their healing.

Gigi

Shhhhhhhhh Gigi!!
You want to start WW 3!!!!
LOL!
Diana

Guess all my animals must be dieing, sickly, weak, blobs of goo.

Unless someone is sneaking UV lights in my cages when I am not looking??????

This has been gone over to death, but once again not ALL reptiles require UV lights.

Is this something you have proven they needed in your care? Or did you read a book? word of mouth? maybe postcard? Magazine? fax?

Wow! I just want to know where you came up with that? Are your monitors really that healthy? Hey If I dont leave my house, but still eat good foods, will I still be half the man I can be if I got a tan?

Just wondering what you base this off

Opps! Warning too late!
Diana