Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Im trying to convince someone to change his husbandy, but need some testimonies from people who have the proof.
His female Argus is about two years old and is about 3' in total length. He feeds some mice, assorted meats, DOG FOOD, grasshoppers, and god knows what else, every 2-3 days.
I asked him what his intentions are for his pair, and he said that they should be ready to breed by the end of next year, or maybe the following spring.
Its soo hard to get him to change ANYTHING because his dad owns a pet store, so he thinks he knows it ALL.
So my question to you all, is what is your basic husbandry for your Argus breeders? Maybe if I bombard him with good info, from many different people, he'll eventually take heed.

Basic husbandry I use for Argus:

8x4 enclosure with 3 feet of dirt

constant water supply

a bank of bulbs that give the enclosure about an 87 ambient and a 130 degree basking

about 20-30 mice a week

...change the water daily as they will crap in it and generally make it dirty by kicking dirt into it or just knocking it over

i feed the female a little more. the only other food i feed them is chicks on occasion

cheers, andrew

(that is what i use to produce these)

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Varanus Creations

which one, which one could it be? I bet I might know the store your talking about. Hmmmm
If it is the place I'm tbinking of GOOD LUCK getting them to change anything that will improve the care of their reptiles. I have delt with this place for about five or more years.
But I'm not here to slander anyone.
Send me a messege and let me know who it is that way I can tell you if it's the same shop that we (local herpers) are trying to get shut down.
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Christine :>~

Argus monitors are so nice to work with, and feeding it dog food is a very sad thing. Feed them rodents, invertebrates like crayfish, shrimps, cockroaches, make it a smorgas-borge of dietary menu items, but NO dog food or alot of processed canned or bagged type food at all...its bad for them. Give them plenty of substrate to dig in, as they like to forage and it keeps their minds active - throw in food morsals (rat pups, mice etc..) at odd hours when not their regular feeding regimen time, with lots of hiding spots for both monitor and food to retreat to and watch the lizard chase the food, which is good exercise and stimulates them as well, which breaks up their captive (bored) lives....enhance it with cage decor changes every now and then so she has something 'new' to check out...
good luck, and SKIP the DOG FOOD!
cheers,
mbayless

I think you need to ask yourself why anything you say is going to have an effect. Also why you feel the need to change this person.

I think you informed this keeper, maybe you should inform the keeper that what he is doing is not so smart. Then leave it up to the keeper to prove you right.

The reason I say this is, there are millions of reasons people keep reptiles, and these persons reasons may not be yours. In fact, their reasons may be very much the opposite. Their reasons may be to control and torture their charges. Thats very common u know. Good Luck F

Maybe this will add to the strenght of the voice of one girl.