Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello, I am thinking of getting a monitor. I have had water dragons, Iguanas, basks so I am not really a stanger to lizards but I am with monitors so I have some questions.

1. Where can I find a care sheet on them to see the specifics of them. (I would assume it depends on what kind)

2. What is a good monitor for someone wanting to get one. (there are a bunch I like Nile (maybe to big), Peach Throat, and Argus)I am not to thrilled with the savanna.

3. Size, My Iguana was only about 5ft and all tail and I had him for 10 years before he passed away, so what are max sizes on them.

Thank you
Jeff
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0.1 Rott
1.0 Super Tiger
0.1 Green Burm
0.1 Ball Python
0.1 Red Tail
0.1 Blood Python

Heh, i can't answer those, but i'm sorry for ur loss. I have a savannah and he's beutiful. There's a guy on here that has a Nile and he's the most beutiful lizard i've seen. Good-luck with finding one you like.
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1.0 Savannah Monitor - Artimus
2.0 Emerald Swift - Jesus, unnamed
1.0 Baby veiled Cham - Sir August De Winter 1-20-05 RIP
1.0 Green Iguana - King Arthur
1.0 Rose-hair tarantula - Bill
1.0 Basilisk - Adam
0.1 Water Dragon - Lady

Your questions are a bit too general for anyone to answer easily or quickly. Read some of the websites available and pick up a few of monitor books. It is hard to give you a size idea since commonly available monitors range from 2 feet or so to 6-8 feet.

Niles are beautiful, but usually make very poor captive animals for most people. They tend to remain defensive, with the approach that the best defense is a good offense, they usually remain unpleasant. Although many people claim to have seen "tame" ones, healthy, calm niles are a rarity. Most nile keepers end up being disappointed with the animal.

Arguses tend to be smaller than niles. I do not feel they are as nice looking, but some people really love arguses. I like my two, but I doubt I would get more. They tend to be really active, which makes them neat. They are a bit high strung, which can be neat or not so neat.

You might want to look into ackies. Lots of people seem really satisfied with them.
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^x^ Bloodbat ^x^
Monitors, monitors everywhere
and all the food they ate.
Monitors, monitors everywhere,
their parents loved to mate.

>>1. Where can I find a care sheet on them to see the specifics
>>of them. (I would assume it depends on what kind)

The basic care of all monitors is practically identical. I have a writeup on how I keep my argus monitors at www.pizards.com/hbd/tricks.html

>>2. What is a good monitor for someone wanting to get one.
>>there are a bunch I like Nile (maybe to big),

Not a Nile. They not only get big, they are totally unsuitable for pets. They are paranoid, and few ever come to trust you. Expect a very large, very strong, very well armed lizard that will use every weapon in its arsenal to defend itself from you.

>>Peach Throat,

Never had one. I hear thay are somewhat high strung, but small enough to be managable. I expect they have somewhat higher humidity/water requirements than the monitors I am used to.

>>and Argus

One of my favorites. Lots of attitude, and their sheer intensity can be unnerving. They are fairly high strung and jumpy, but it is all bluff. They put on a big hiss and puff display but are reluctant to bite in self defense. They have an amazingly strong feeding response, like sharks in a feeding frenzy. Make sure no unarmored body parts can be reached by a lightning fast monitor with faster reflexes than yours when any food is present, and make sure the argus knows that there is no food around when you reach into its enclosure. The are beautiful, active, loads of fun to watch, have a penchant for getting into trouble, are amazingly hardy, and will keep you on your toes.

Other monitors to consider:

Ackies. These are sweet tempered, hardy, inquisitive little critters. Their small size makes keeping them much easier. Highly recommended for the beginner!

Desert sand monitors (aka flavies). These are simply the sweetest, most wonderful species of monitor I've ever had the privilige to work with. Like arguses in a smaller package and without the attitude and more discrimination about what they bite when food is present.

>>3. Size, My Iguana was only about 5ft and all tail and I had
>>him for 10 years before he passed away, so what are max sizes
>>on them.

Nile: 4 to 8 feet.
Peach Throats: about 3 feet, if I recall correctly.
Argus: males get 5 feet, females get 3 feet. Stocky and muscular, so relatively bulky for their length.
Ackie: about 1 to 2 feet.
Desert Sands: 3 feet.

Good luck,

Luke