Reptile & Amphibian Forums

As I was reading some of the previous post, I heard FR say something about a large amount of the info frequently asked about has been around for two decades. I have been on many websites, read books, read this forum, tried my own theories, and whatever else I can get my hands on to do the best job I can with my monitors.
My question is can any of you more expirienced hobbiest suggest what you think is key material to read,own, and or apply. I'm just looking to discover some valuble info that I may not know is out there. Thanks for any input. Dan

The questions should be of this type and not fighting.

First, my concern is about you question, you ask what the best way is. This is a problem. I would think understanding a suitable way is more important. Just to get them to, live, grow, reproduce, and die in a somewhat normal fashion, would be great. The best is something that hopefully will come at a later date, after lots and lots of normal.

In the debacle down below, I suggest that application of exsisting known conditions is what is important. There are some very basic conditions. like temperature range, All varanids can use a range from 65F to a hot basking area of 135F. All varanids, can use a few of many exsisting food items like crickets, roaches, chicks, rodents, superworms, etc. All varanids, benefit from the limiting of both physical stress, expousure to conditions that do not promote good health. And mental stress, the expousure to unwant contact and lack of secure hiding/living areas, even misunderstanding of what the monitors recognize as substrate, in this area, they are very particular. It also can mean both not having cagemates or having cagemates, heck it can even mean both. All varanids can benefit from stimulation of many kinds.

You see, there is nothing best about any of that, but if put together and applied in the right combination, it can produce the best results. Please consider, results are only temporary. They are dependant on your continued application of normal tools(the above)

Best is also about your particular expectations. I think fast growth is best, others may not. I have a female monitor that has laid 52 clutches, others may think thats horrible. The truth is, we all have different bests.

So what do you think is best, and what do you think is normal. Then we/you can go from there.

Personally, If I were in other shoes and I wanted to do something with monitors, I would pick someone doing what I wanted to do or as close to what I wanted to do as possible, and copy them as closely as I could. I would do that until I achieved the basic goals then I would adjust to fit me and my particular wants and needs. But only after I was successful.

The truth is, there are many many that have been successful with all sorts of species and all sorts of different approaches. The problem is also, there are many false keepers with made up information or theory based information. Its your job to research and make the right choice. FR

I do see what your saying. I've only been doing this seriously a couple of years and since I found out about this forum a couple of months ago, I feel that we (me & the monitors )are moving much closer to the right direction than ever.
I believe I am learning there is a lot of misleading info out there and the more I learn, the more I realize how little I knew. I have no shame in copying what works from someone else. Besides my monitors don't care where my info comes from, just as long as they are all the better for it.
I currently have my male and female dumerils ( both well into adulthood)housed together,as of november. I was never dying to breed them nor did I feel qualified. But If I get conditions as they are sapossed to be anyway then I guess it's likely to happen. I definatly want to be prepared for that. I'll read some of the previous post on how to post pics and get some up here. Appreciate the help FR