Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have recnetly aquired a 4 month old Dumeril's monitor. I have his basking temp at like 95-98 F. Is this hot enough? He seems to hide alot and burrow into the mulch alot is this him just acting natural because he is young? Or should I be worried about this? Otherwise he seems very healthy and is eating like a pig.

Thats a natural things for monitors. They spend most of their time hiding from predators which in your case is you. As far as temps, it needs a 130 degree basking spot and 85 degree ambient temp and a cool side where it can thermoregulate when need be.

Jaye

Really, I have heard that the dumeril's need lower temps from one or two people I would just like to get everyones opinion here. Thanks for your input and the advice on burrowing...

http://www.themonitorspot.com/dumerilf2.html

I got a 2 month old in December and he has been hiding since. I have read where they are possibly more solitary then most monitors. If I pull Charlie out of any of his many hides he will hang out with me. He will even eat right in front of me after I pull him out. I figure he is only doing what his instincts tell him to do. I know it is a bit of a bummer for you as I have been going through the same thing. I have since also gotten a B&W Tegu so I just leave Charlie alone most of the time. I figure he will come out more when he gets larger.

Looks like a Raptor on the prowl!

HI,

The thing with monitors is to give them lots of choices...I agree, I try to give all monitors a spot that is 130 degrees F or so, but I also have a side of the cage that is 70 or so. Frankly I don't even really worry about ambient temps with monitors...I just give them lots of different temps in different areas and let them decide what they want - they certainly know better than me. My animals use both hot and cool areas and all in between at different times depending on what they want. Both areas have plenty of hide spots, and there is deep substrate all around so they can burrow.

Feeding lots and being active is certainly a good sign, but in your setup I would strive for a little more gradient in temps, and let the monitor decide what he wants. I would also recommend observing a lot at different times - dusk, dawn, night, day - and see what the animal does. That will teach you more than any web site or care sheet.

Good luck,

-----
Phil Black
www.VaranusWeb.com

Maybe you already know this, but here it goes anyways.. Those 130degree temps are a measurement of the surface temps not surrounding air temps. This is accomplished with an infra-red temp gun (Pro Exotics, LLL Reptile supply). One does not have to add more wattage either, just raise the basking spot an inch or two. The ambients stay the same throughout the rest of the cage and you just gave the monitor 1 more option in its enviroment. Hope this was helpful, Clint.