Reptile & Amphibian Forums

First, keeping monitors(any animal) is betting against the house, that is, the result will always be the same, the animal will die, period. The quality of the bet is what happens inbetween. The quality of the task is what happens inbetween. This really needs to be understood by the newbies and the folks giving advice.

The question about keeping different species together, is not can they be kept together, but more like, does keeping them together increase the risks to an unacceptable level. This can only be addressed by the person who is keeping them.

We should all understand, there is danger is almost everything we do. We must also understand, that all these monitors will die. Some sooner then others. Again, what happens while they are alive is what is important. There is no arguing that.

In reality, the safest way to keep monitors is by themselves. Groups, any groups increases the danger of something delerious happening. It really does not matter if they are the same species or not. Monitors can and do, kill/comsume, members of their own specie, as well as members of other species.

This canniballism can be controled with knowledge of behavior and knowledge of husbandry. But it can never be eliminated, not with any type groups.

The answer to this question is like so many answers to so many questions, there is no hard fast answer.

Another reality is, if a beginer has to ask whether its OK or not, then most likely they do not have the experience to keep any monitors in groups, muchless different species. They should start simple and progress thru levels of difficulty with time and experience. That is only common sense.

The harsh reality is, and its straitup hardcase numbers(history), most of the newbies monitors will die quickly. No matter if they keep them in groups of same species or different species. Or kept singly.

I guess the only suggestion I can give is, maybe they should wait until they have the experience to not have to ask whether they should, because, surely they can. They just need to know how and why. Cheers FR

Frank, what do you consider a newbe? I call myself a newbe because I have less than 3 years experience with keeping these animals myself. Although I have spent much time around them they weren't all under my care.
What bothers my about alot of the "Experienced" keepers is they forget they were once newbe's too.
Yes, some of us newbe's asks the dumbest questions, and do some stupid things.lol
I do alot of research, my wife says I spend way too much time reading and collecting articles pertaining to my critters. I only want my animals to thrive in their boxes.
Like you have said many times, "It's all about the animal"
Just my little rant.

Scott
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Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.

First, I do not think advance keepers have forgot what its like to be new. In fact, being new is a wonderful think, you should enjoy it.

If you are smart, you would understand that the larger the difference in experience, the less the understanding will be and the longer it will take to bridge that understanding. The reason, of course is, it takes experience to understand what you don't understand. I truely hope you understand that, hahahahahahaha to many understandings.

I think being a newbie is, thinking acting, asking newbie ?'s and having the understanding of a newbie. It does not matter if you've had monitors for one day or 100 years. But then, thats only my thoughts.

Which brings me another point, if you ask an experienced person a question, what do you want or expect? Do you what them to get you an inexperienced responce or do you want a responce thats gathered from their experience?

This internet is a funny puppy, you ask me a question, I give a responce thats from my experience, right or wrong. I believe thats what the internet is for and its benefit. Like conversation.

Now on the other hand, folks like mister science, thinks this is a place to respond with the generally excepted point of view from the current literature. Thats great too. But if I wanted that, I would read the literature(and have). I really do not want someones view on the subject, I want my view, based from the literature and experience. Kinda reminds me of a presidental speach. After the speach, each news channel has their newsperson saying, "This is what the president said" Heck I heard the dang president, why do I want the news persons view. Specially with 50 channels having 50 views. Hmmmmmmmm.

If the answer to that question is not about monitors, but more about your ego, then you may need to look onto yourself for help, and not look to others to help you. If your concerned with others egos, then you are already lost.

The reality Scott is, there is only one concern, thats you and your charges, its no ones elses job or responsibility to guide/help/teach you. I may be an olde hick, but, I think its my job to be nice to people that have goods or knowledge thats benefitual to me. Its not their job to be nice to me. Think about that. Cheers FR