Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was thinking about getting into raising monitors. i realy like the look of tree monitors and was wondering if this was a good monitor to care for. This wouldnt be my first animal that was hard to care for. I had 2 thriveing Female Jackson chameleons and own a frilled dragon. Iwas wondering cage sizes for a singular one, probably a black tree monitor. Also does anyone know were I can get CB ones, and how much a resonable price is.

Thank you

If you want a lot of information, just go to:

www.treemonitors.com

Good luck.

Pam

Hi there,

While there are other monitor species which typically make much better 'beginner' monitors, if you are really set on a black tree monitor, i would highly recommend that you obtain a CB/CH individual, as adults are usually very problematic, in which most people fail at acclimating them to life in captivity. While a CH/CB individual may not have several of the problems associated with a WC individual, it is imperative that the upmost care be given to them as well, as they can dessicate very easily if not given proper humidity levels.

You have chosen one of the most difficult monitor species to keep alive in captivity. But like I said, if you think you are ready for such an uptaking, I would highly recommend that you go with a cb/ch individual. Unfortunately, CB/CH animals are very rare, and usually cost about three times as much as their wild caught counterparts, but in your case, where you have never dealt with any other monitor, or wc monitor for that matter, I would spend the extra money for a less-problematic animal. To your luck, there are some CH babies available at the moment in the classifieds here on this website.

If you are really insistent on getting this species, I would reccomend that you go for the more expensive CH individuals, as you are more likely to see better results, than trying to acclimate a scrappy, dehydrated, WC adult. Tree monitors can be very rewarding captives, unfortunately getting WC individuals to that point is a very long and arduous road, which most people are not prepared for, or willing to go through. Sadly, most people want instant gratification, and a captive that is 'ready' to be a captive right away, the second you put it in an enclosure. History has shown that these are very fragile and stressed animals, which require the utmost care, patience, and a little bit of luck I suppose. In all cases, CB/CH is always better.

Good luck with your decision and I wish you the best of luck. Have a wonderful day, Cheers,

Bob
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