I suppose being a tree monitor enthusiast, I will take a stab at your query. I do not feel that tree monitors do not make good "beginner" monitors due to several factors which I will address in this post. Please keep in mind that there is virtually no difference between the care of each species, whether it's blue, green, black, or yellow.
ACCLIMATION: All of the tree monitors offered for sale(with the exception of only a handful Indonesian CH) are imported, wild caught adults. These animals have an extremely poor record for acclimating to life in captivity and most die in the hands of inexperienced keepers and dealers. This high mortality rate is attributed to may things.
-dehydration: just about every imported tree monitor, upon arriving into a new owner's home, is dehydrated, many being extremely dehydrated-and a breath away from death. Most keepers fail to diagnose an animal's skinniness for dehydration, and fail to address this problem, which leads to the animal's rapid demise and horrible death.
-parasites: many indonesian monitors that are imported into the US come with 'hitch hikers', and can be heavily infested with these internal parasites. WHile I don't feel that parasites are what kill many imported captives, the stress they cause on an already stressed out, dehydrated animal, adds to the overall burdon of captivity on the animal.
-Stress: These animals, were once free living wild animals. Now, that they are forced to live in tiny quarters, they undergo a significant amount of stress, which is caused by many factors, including the aspects I just mentioned. Stress in reptiles, especially animals in an already weakened-state, weakens the immune system, which can open the animal to illness,which could kill it as well.. Combine that with improper husbandry, and dehydration, you are destined for a dead animal.
Many people fall in love with the beauty of these animals, as you do not get the diversity and richness of colors in many other lizards. However, most people fail to realize that these are not hardy animals, as bearded dragons are, or leopard geckos. These are difficult animals, who require lots of time and effort into ensuring their success.
People also think that these animals can be just like their bearded dragons, which they can handle, and pet, and take around to show off to their friends. They are not, and stress out badly when handled, which make this a "hands off" group of monitors..
Most people can't resist not holding their animals, which also leads to the stresss and eventual death of their animal/s.
My recommendation to you is if you would like to jump into monitor ownership, to try a captive bred species, such as Ackies or Freckled Monitors. By gaining experience with these hardier species, you will gain an understanding of their behaviors and needs and requirements. If you succedd in maintaining these hardy, captive bred species, then you can move on to more difficult species. Jumping into tree monitor ownership without any prior varanid experience, is setting yourself up for failure.
Tree monitors, in my opinion are the most difficult of the varanids to acclimate and keep alive in captivity. Start out with something easier, then progress from there..I really do not think you can find a better captive monitor than an ackie. They have it all: calm, friendly demeanor, inquisitiveness, dimminutive size(not 7' 50lbs), and beautiful coloration and patterning, and best of all, they are CAPTIVE BRED- stress and parasite free..
I hope this helps a little, take care, have a wonderful day.
Bob
TREEMONITORS.COM
