Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm picking up a trio of argus monitors this evening, two of which are large adults and the other female is a juvenile, to occupy a somewhat spacious display enclosure, and have been researching the species a lot in the past number of days. Of course, people's opinions vary greatly from care sheet to care sheet, so I've been getting a lot of mixed messages. I have gone through the argus portion of this forum, and a number of others in the main forum, but have yet to see this particular issue addressed. In general, is it more successful to keep monitor pairs or trios together year round or introduce them periodically? Does that vary from species to species, or is there some more general rule for the entire family. I'm of course planning on keeping the two bigger animals together, and though I'm not shooting for amazing productivity by any means, I would eventually like to get offspring. So I'm looking for answers either specifically for argus, or generally for monitors. Most of what I have been reading seems to 'imply' leaving the animals together, but I recently came across a site that specifically referred to introducing the female to the male, and it sparked my question. I look forward to your replies!
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Chance Duncan
www.rivervalleyexotics.com

Personally I would never keep a trio of argus together, not because it's impossible, it just can get real complicated with three monitors. Trying to feed a trio of argus sounds pretty interesting as well.

I do know, whether, how many, how long they can be kept together depends on alot of factors, most importantly the monitors themselves. There is no set answer, but it would be advised to be prepared and always have separate cages available in case they are needed.

Other than needed separations at times, I keep my argus pair together all year.

Good Luck,

--Robert

First care sheets are nearly useless, that is, they give a setup. Which takes minutes to read, but maybe years to understand. Many caresheets are written by the inexperienced, that is, they keep a few for a week or year(both are not much experience) then write something in detail, unfortunately, they do not know what detail is. Sometimes the an experienced keeper is a good writer, now which one are you going to believe?

Also, a lot of newbies figure its good to average the caresheets and that would be good. My opinion and experience, on that is thats wrong.

The problem is, you read them and you have no idea whether it was written by someone with experiece and how much.

Now for the real problem. Caresheets can give you the temps, etc. You know the simple stuff. But they cannot offer you clues to behavior and changing behavior, which is what your question is all about.

Behavior is both species and individual and changes with age, and input. Which makes it a bit like water, it keeps flowing.

So to ask a question like yours is naive to start with. There is no answer. First, are the two larger ones males, and the smaller female. Males normally will enter into conflict for behavioral reasons. For instance if the female cycles, they may have been good buddies before, but not now. That is only an example but you see what I mean.

Also it depends on you, If you keep three argus together, and fail to understand what hunger means to an argus, you may see a reduction in number. They indeed will eat eachother when starved.

The real truth and real answer to your question is no, you cannot keep them together without incident. As sooner or later there will be one. Its only a matter of when. Next week? or twelve years later, something will happen, I can guarantee that. You see, its up to you to judge what is exceptable. Its also up to you to make sure or control what happens.

Please understand, I gave you an advanced real response, you already were aware of the simple responses. Good Luck FR

That is one of the coolest monitor pictures I've ever seen.

Thanks to both of you for your advice. And thanks FR for the amazing picture! Saving that now... To clarify a few things which were evidently unclear in the first posting, the trio consists of 1.2 (most likely), not 2.1. 1.1 of these are largish adults, the other 0.1 is a 2' juvenile. Radiographs will be taken upon getting them to confirm their sexing. I will not be keeping the juvenile in the same enclosure as the adults for obvious reasons, that'd potentially be an expensive meal. I actually will probably not be holding onto the smaller female for very long, as I only really wanted the two adults. So, with that in mind, to be very clear, my plan is to keep the two adults, which have been together for the past couple of months without incident, in an enclosure measuring 4'W x 8'L x 7'H.

I really do appreciate all the real world advice I can get. I am not entirely new to monitors, and am certainly not new to animal, specifically reptillian, husbandry. I know to take what I read on the internet with a grain of salt...or maybe a truckload depending...but do from time to time like to read numerous online references before getting an animal so that I will be somewhat 'more' prepared, or at least familiar with the generic species. I've long been a fan of argus monitors, and was recently given the opportunity to finally get some, so I jumped on it. I guess I maybe should've waited on clearing up some of the inconsisties I've read online until after I had become somewhat more acquainted with my captives.

So maybe for now I'll just toss that question out the window, and rather would ask for anyone else's real world advice with these lizards. I don't even have them yet and I find them to be completely fascinating, and I'd like to learn as much as possible about them. Thanks again for the advice so far.
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Chance Duncan
www.rivervalleyexotics.com

As a wise man says, "keep your fingers out of their mouth".

Good Luck, Argus are lots of work and fun.

--Robert

wow...!!!

what kind of monitor are those..????

do they really do that, they can stand up..???

how big do they grow up..??

thanks

Rick

They are argus monitors. They really do stand like that.

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Ed

These heat lamps make my electric bill to high.

think will get a couple of this guys....

tripod is an amazing behavior....

best wishes..

Rick

I noticed on your pic that the females tale girth is much smaller then the male. I assuming that is normal in healthy monitors. My males tail is so much thicker and heavier then my females, it always bothered me and I have been trying to bet her to match his. They are crosses by the way. Now I know it's normal.
Robert
P.S. When breeding, how many times a year did you get offspring from you crosses, not including multi-clutching?

I noticed on your pic that the females tale girth is much smaller then the male. I assuming that is normal in healthy monitors. My males tail is so much thicker and heavier then my females, it always bothered me and I have been trying to bet her to match his. They are crosses by the way. Now I know it's normal.
Robert
P.S. When breeding, how many times a year did you get offspring from you crosses, not including multi-clutching?

Just wanted to let you know that some months ago, after you posted that picture I used it as wall paper on my laptop. The laptop kinda squished it a little and gave them pot bellies. Funnier than hell. Many folks got a big kick out of it. Thanks much. Dan

If they are the ones I am thinking of you beat me to them. Oh Well, snoozers are losers HAHA.

Good luck with them. Argus are awesome monitors.

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Ed

These heat lamps make my electric bill to high.

Heh, what can I say? A friend decided to put them up for sale, I knew he was completely safe to deal with, I'd seen the male and smaller female in person earlier this summer, and I had the spare cash, so I went for it. Eagerly awaiting their arrival at the airport and subsequent trip home this evening...
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Chance Duncan
www.rivervalleyexotics.com