Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Couple questions for all you Dumerils keepers...

#1 Exactly HOW BIG can Dumerils get? I see pics in here of specimens that look to be 5-6'long...but then you look in the classifieds and people are selling sub-adults and adults that look no more than 2-3'? I know they keep growing for most of their lives, but is there a length at which most typically tend to slow down?

#2 I have a cage thats 4'X3'X5', think that'd be large enough for a hatchling for a little while? Should I plan on devoting a room to it as it matures?

#3 can ya'll post some more pictures of your Dumerils, and if you have any, pictures of yourselves with you're pets so as to get a good size comparison?

I've kept lots of herps, from Pythons to Tegus to Iguanas and wanna test the waters with a Dumerils. Am I aiming for failure? Should I just start with an Ackie and be content till I know monitors? Any help would be awsome

well if your worried about space go with an ackie, ackies are more expensive than larger monitors but it wont cost as much to keep them happy and heathly , plus they are great starter monitors if you havent had one before, larger monitors are less expensive to buy but in the long run much more expensive to care for.
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1 black roughneck
these's lamps make my room hot!!!!!!!!!

#1 Exactly how big your Dumeril gets may be dependent on where it comes from. Since most Dumerils in the US/Europe are of Indonesian origin (or blood line) 150cm (5ft) is a good bet. Mainland SE Asian Dumerils often only reach 125cm (4ft) with a SVL of 50cm. Slowing of growth comes not too far from maximum size, although reptiles grow all their lives, but slowly after they are adults.

#2 Your enclosure will be good for a while, but as they grow, they will need a larger and larger enclosure. I have plans to house my pair outside when they get too large for my indoor enclosure, but that is not a good idea for temperate climates. Dedicating a half a room or full room would be great for this species as it matures.

#3 The ones I have now are still juveniles, but would be happy to send you pictures of their setup. Unfortunately, I have no idea how to post pictures on the forum.

If you kept tegus, that is a good start for monitors. Dumerils are similar to tegus; they are not very active. I have never had Ackies before, but you definitely will not need as much space with them as a Dumeril. Get what you will be happy with. You will end up taking much better care of it and have a much happier animal.