Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,
I am new to the monitor world, but not new to reptiles. I was wondering if someone could steer me in the right direction. I am looking for a monitor that is small (I know most are large) and likes to be handled. Also, if you could give me some pointers on set up, temps, lighting, food, etc. for this kind of reptile it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

I'll be honest with you and say no monitor WANTS to be handled, some may tolerate it, but none actually seek you out to be petted like a cat or dog. The best beginner monitor is the Red & Yellow Ackies which stay around the 2ft mark i think. All monitors require a high basking spot around the 130 area or higher, cage wise it's better to steer away from a glass tank with a screen lid because humidity escapes to easly and the monitor becomes dehydrated. Hope I've helped some, hopefully one of the more knowledgable ppl around here can answer the rest.

A little ramble for ya

The only truly tame monitor is one that has a tame human They do not like to be cornered and restrained. Monitors don’t like to be held, but some don’t mind holding on to you. Here is where the location of the enclosure might be important. A lot about monitors is a Catch 22, they are quick and can take off if you don’t restrain them, but if you restrain them they will never trust you. They have a lot going on upstairs, if you underestimate them they will take advantage of that. I’d say Ackie is the best option. I hear they are more bold than the other small species. I have 3 Tristis that are 7 years old. Very beautiful active monitors, but very shy. Only one comes to the front of the enclosure for me, that one likes to come out with me. The other 2 are very timid.

The right way to set up a monitor is this: It needs a comfortable home. The home must have a pretty constant humidity level, so it must be enclosed (no opening top-no screen walls) The enclosure should be big enough that the monitor can exercise. A minimum size can be estimated by doubling the length of what an adult male of the species measures as the enclosure length, and one time as wide. Go as tall as you can, when a person hovers over them, they get understandably upset. Monitors really love dirt, different monitors like different kinds. The best kind is not store bought. Rural dirt, soil, sand, is softened by weather. You need to find some that your monitor will like. It shouldn’t be too dusty when dry, or too muddy when damp, it should be diggable in case it wants to build a bedroom or exercise or explore. The right kind of dirt will keep your humidity, but you will have to buy a hygrometer and figure out how much water to add and how often to add it to keep the proper levels based on the monitor you get. You can be creative and add shelves, ramps, raised hides, rough wood, cork, it will use anything and everything when you are not around. (No no no plug in hotrocks!!!) You should consider buying a pair, monitors enjoy their own kind. You’ll have to build if you want something right for you, there aren’t really any prefab monitor enclosures. Think long and hard about what kind of door(s) you want to use and where to place them. How are you are going to clean and maintain the enclosure, how door placement can make it easier for you. You’ll need a temp gun to check your temperatures, cool side should range low 60’s - low 70’s warm side 10 odd degrees warmer. You’ll need at least one very warm basking spot that is big enough to heat the whole monitor. The surface temp of the basking spot should be in the range of low 120’s to high 150’s. The little guys like to be able to “watch you” try and make it easy for them, they feel better when they can keep an eye on you. Monitors aren’t really good pets the way mammals are, but they are fun and fascinating to keep.
Goodluck! –H-

Did you cut your hair? I always thought you were a chic.
Thanks for ruining my imagination. hahaha

Scott
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Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.

That’s not me, this is. I had a sex change just for you Scott. How’s that for your imagination?

BTW, That’s Holly as in Christmas, not carburetor…lol
Cheers,

Well get rid of the mustache, trim the eyebrows and I might go Varrrooom.
Oh, keep the lizard.

Scott
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Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.

I'm already part of a pair, He likes my eyebrows...lol
Guess my photo didn't prompt one of you in drag, too bad.
Monitors.
-H-

I don't know how to do all the photoshop stuff and besides, there has to be a TOS rule against it.
I would make one ugly woman.

Scott
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Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.

Check out these gorgeous monitors! I do a lot of monitor internet surfing. These pic’s came from http://www.dghtserver.de/foren/viewtopic.php?TopicID=27960 . I think it’s a German site?

Thats a good thing, those lizards are much prettier than I will ever be.

Scott
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Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.

Shes really not much to look at, but a very sweet girl. Ok, you can have your imagination back, shes a doll. IF I was fifty years younger, oh wait, I have Goon(my girlfriend)(i think shes fooling around on me, has not been around lately) whoops and my wife(always the wife) I would, after all her(who again?). I forgot what I would do, you can imagine, it would not be pretty(that beauty and the beast thing). Oh yea, Hollys very pretty, but so is a holly carb, four barrels, quadrajet, baffles, etc. Oh my heart! FR

Frank and his harem… lol. If you were 50 years younger **I** would be the cradle robber! As it stands your girlfriends range from all ages to all species, aren’t you sweet on some little gal wild lizard? And a lady roadrunner? What about you with the little fox? I really love that pic, I had to keep it. You are cuter than you think. I’d join the club but I was never invited, oh, and I refuse to compete for attention so harems don’t work for me, oh yea… and I’m spoken for. Oh well, I have the picture….
-H-

No harem for me, I have enough trying to figure out and make one woman happy. Geeze, these lizards are easier to figure out.
All these good looking chics that own reptiles. Hmmmmm..........
It does make a fella think bad thoughts.

Scott
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Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.

I wish I was that monitor right about now.....o_O
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I just wanted to thank all that has given me the proper info that I will need to keep a monitor.

Casey