Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was wondering what all the peachthroat owners are using for substrate? Right now I am using a combination of small and large bark chip mulch. It does the job, but I'm not sure if soil would be a better option for digging and such. Do peachthroats like to dig? I haven't seen mine try, but that could be because I am using the wrong substrate.
Thanks for any replies,
Ben Cook

Hello Mr. Cook,

Thats a good question re: V. jobiensis like to dig; all varanids can of course. V. jobiensis is an arboreal type, and a very good swimmer (notice round nostril, flat tail), and its legs are not like those of say an argus monitor, V. panoptes, which has popeye forelegs, and do dig alot, typically for scorpions, lizards, rodents etc...
cheers,
mbayless

Thanks for the information. There isn't a whole lot of information on this species (relatively) and that helped alot. I have noticed my monitor swimming alot. I provided him with a large tub to swin in and he uses it all the time. I was worried about him at first because he would swim to the bottom and just sit there like a alligator resting on the bottom. I didn't realize how long they could hold their breath. VERY interesting monitor.
Thanks again,
Ben Cook

Hello Ben,
There is actually alot more material published on V. jobiensis than one would think, although it is not in the usual publications: most are a sentence here, sentence there in book or magazines about the Sepik River or a misidentified photo here or there too...but with some good Sam Spade detective work, it can be discovered; Ive got maybe 50 sources for this species, including reproduction info too...
cheers,
mbayless

Leaf Litter
Dirt

Either/or a combination of the two.

--Robert

I use the soil mixture found on the Pro Exotics site and seems to be working well. My Peachie has dug under a piece of drift wood in the cage and spends most of the day there...Mine actually digs more than swims...I also have a large bowl for him.
Steve

When I have seen any of mine spend any measurable amount of time in the water, the enclosure has either been too hot or too dry. With one exception that fat and/or gravid peachies seem to like to soak, could be that it is just more comfortable.

--Robert

The only time it just sits in the water is when it is right next to the water and I walk up quick and startke it. It quickly jumps in the water and sits there, then peaking his head up to see if I'm still there. Then he just get out and starts walking around.
Ben

I have been looking all through ProExotics site and I can't seem to find the mixture. I'll keep looking, but do you think you could post the link?
Thanks,
Ben

hah....nevermind...right after I posted I found it...thanks anyways.
Ben

They have a new mix but the one I'm using is 50% dirt, 25% sand, and 25% vermiculite. I also added a layer of Cyprus mulch to the top, it helps with the humidity. My mix is, at its deepest side is about 1' deep. My lizard is about 18" nose to tail... When my bigger cage is completed the substrate will be about 24" with plenty of climbing room.

Steve