Reptile & Amphibian Forums

For some reason I had assumed (you know what happens when you ASSuME something) that my Rico (Rough neck monitor) was nocturnal~ I don't know why I thought that~ maybe because he spends all day hiding~

But now I *think* I was wrong. When I leave food out for him overnight he ignores it. But if I put food out in the morning~ it disappears when I'm not looking. I've also noticed him peaking out of his hides during the day to see if people are around.

So~ is he nocturnal? Considering how afraid he still is~ if he is not nocturnal~ should a I leave a light on at night for him so he can explore his enclosure and do his lizardly kind of things at night when no people are around to frighten him? He has only been here for 2 weeks, so maybe I just need to give him more time to adjust?
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Cheryl Marchek
AKA JM
Check out my website at:
The Red Dragons Den

you can leave the lights on 24/7,its what i do and others do too

He is hiding because that's what monitors do. Monitors, or most other animals, do not want to sit out in the open all day long, as it opens them up to possible predation. They like to bury themselves, or seek refuge in tight spaces, like rock crevices, or tree hollows, etc.. These tight areas give them a sense of security they need to live a stress free life.

While I do not doubt that your monitor may sometimes be active at tnight, I do not see this as being the reason why you do not see him at all. Wild Caught monitors, like yours most likely is, are alert, and wary animals. This is why they hide. In time, as your monitor gains your trust, and becomes accustiomed to his living quarters(which may take months/years) you will probably see him out more often, although I am sure he will sure like to stay hidden a larger portion of the day.

Removing hiding areas, just so you can see him, will surely affect his health, and stress it out. I suggest you just be patient, and accept what a monitor actually is... he will come around sooner or later, if you are providing him with everything he needs, and is living as much of a stress-free life as possible..

Cheers, I hope this gives some insight....
Take care, have a great day,

bob
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TheOdatriad

I was not planning on taking away any of his hides~ I'm sure he needs them all~ though he does obviously prefer the under the substrate hides (thanks whoever posted that idea!) I was just thinking that if I left a light on for him at night it might give him the oppurtunity to come out and enjoy his enclosure during the hours that we are not awake and thundering through the house to disturb him. Don't know why I thought he was nocturnal~ but it didn't occur to me until today that maybe he wasn't coming out at night~ and maybe it's because he can't see in the dark anymore than we can!
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Cheryl Marchek
AKA JM
Check out my website at:
The Red Dragons Den

While some people offer lighting for their animals 24/7, I choose not to, as monitors in the wild are only going to be seeing around 12-14hrs of light each day, depending on how far north or south they range. My monitors are kept in a temperature controlled room, where ambient temps at chest level stay at 86. Monitors will experience nighttime drops in nature, so i do not feel it necessary with my setup to provide a nighttime basking spot.

Like I said, some people use 24/7 cycles and are successful, and others like myself, do ot use the same photoperiod. It's up to you... Cheers,

bob
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TheOdatriad

I’m not sure if I read you had a black or brown rough neck.

I have brown or Dumeril’s monitors. I’m guessing you have the black as mine don’t usually do much burrowing and don’t make good use of the hide spots, they prefer to lounge in the water tubs for most of the day probably 60% of their time often completely submerged or climb onto the overhead branches.

I have noticed they are more active in the evening. Usually climbing out of the tubs at about 5:30pm for feeding time then active until 12 or so then back in the tub asleep. They hold this pattern regardless if I’m home or not or whether or not the lights are on.

I usually keep the lights on from 9am to 12am. They are into a pattern now and I think changing the duration of lighting might mess with their schedule.

Hello
All my monitors sleep at night. In fact, now that the days are much shorter, they retire early. They are all housed in front of big glass windows, so they look out and see its dark. I shut the lights off early now too.
Glad to hear it likes the ground hides. Give yours at least six months to feel comfortable around you. It may be longer or shorter depending on its personality, and how many people it sees during the day. (Know this: it is watching and aware of every person that goes by. This is what they do, watch others without being seen themselves. They are good at it.) Try thinking of your rudi as a master spy.

D.