Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just recently purchased my first monitor although I have been keeping herps most of my life.My question is my argus cross does not have an appetite like I thought he would.I did alot of researching on wich monitor I should get, so I decided on a argus cross because they dont get that big and have a reasonable temper and a good appetite.It has been two weeks since I got him and on the second day he ate ten crickets no problem and some hard boiled egg,since then he has only eaten five more crickets,so i tried ground turkey with minerall and he ate it on his own for two days only and now he ignores crickets,eggs,alive and dead pinkey mice and will only eat ground turkey if I handfeed him and its not alot.I just expected a really good appetite from what I read and the people I talked to.I bought him from a very reputable dealer where I live and since I been around herps alot,I know he was flawless,alert,and in good condition.He is a juvenile maybe eighteen inches long and is being kept in a 4x2 foot rubbermaid trough with a basking area of 120-130 degrees with 8 inches of a top soil,playsand substrate,wich he digs and burrows and sleeps all day and doesnt come out at all unless I dig him up and handfeed him,then he will be active and basking for about six or seven hours then he burrows and wont even come out for days unless I physically dig him up to feed him.Now do you think this is normal?Is he just adjusting or Is he stressed out.Any feedback and help will be appreciated.Sorry for the long post this is the first time I have ever posted on the internet.Thanks.

Just some thoughts. At 18 inches he/she should be eating mice, not pinkies. He is probally stressed. when they burrow and don't come out it means "Leave me alone". He needs time to adjust and his burrow should be his safe spot. Ask the previous owner what he fed it and try putting a couple of thawed mice in his enclosure and leave him alone for a day or two and see if he eats.

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

A little bit more info on your enclosure would help i had this problem too long ago and it was due to lack of humidity. Give us some specs and maybe we can be more of some help. Is the enclosure have a lid is it screen etc....

thanks

I would say that the trough is fifty to sixty gallons and about 4x2feet and height is about eighteen inches. There is no lid I just cover about half of the top on the cool end where I get a ambient temp of 82-84 degreees with a basking spot of 120-130 and I would say he is about 14 inches not eighteen.The substrate is dry on top but when he burrows deep its almost like mud when I dig him out he is completely black and covered in dirt.The humidity is about 50-60 percent.Today I noticed for the first time that he went to the bathroom and is a lot more active than he has been but still no sign of increased appetite. I also noticed he regurged his last meal and that makes me worry even more.

I saw the same things with mine cover the entire thing and just leave a little opening for air exchange i bet thats what it may be. Try it and see what happens.

good luck