Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have read online information on these guys but not much out there. Anyone have details on who is breeding them and how? Also any information on sexing from baby to adult size?
Also I have heard of a similar species with more black coloration as adults and with the same docile temperment...any of these available?

There is not much information on them because they are a recently described (discovered) species, only having been described in 1997 by Böhme and Ziegler. Mark Bayless and John Adragna wrote an English language Vivarium article in 1999 on this species.

There are many specimens that come through where I live. I have followed one specimen of a high yellow coloration for over 6 months, that is not at all shy, allows handling and does not even run away from capture. This is an exception, most V. indicus complex monitors are shy, including most V. melinus. I have come across other high yellow V. melinus that have been docile. Maybe the hot tropical climate suits them?

Baby monitors are virtually impossible to sex and adults can also be very difficult. To date, I am not aware of any captive breeding of V. melinus, although someone else may have information.

Cheers,

Michael

Breeding info. In 2000, Armin Dedlmer bred V. melinus(Herpetofauna 22(127):29-34).

Cheers,

Michael

I have a lot of those basics. Was wondering if they can be sexed by x-ray...some monitors can and some not. I know of one breeder but they are doing this overseas and possibly the only babies available right now.
I have four right now and all are different in temperment but all will accept food by hand and will accept petting in the cage. This was an ammediate reaction so with a little work I would think all could easily become fairly tame.
I am struggling with keeping a heat pad under the hiding spot. I want them to be warm but trying to keep them from using it to thermoregulate and never coming out. Was thinking maybe a thermastat on it and reducing to ?? temp. This would make them have to use the heat lamp...Any suggestions?

Sexing by X-Ray has not always been conclusive. Just like you wrote, some can and some not. Some X-Rays will show, others will be inconclusive.

It is good to hear that your V. melinus are all as calm as you describe. I was beginning to think I was the only one seeing fairly calm V. melinus with all the posts that I have seen here in the past.

Where I live, I have a problem keeping it cool and actually turn off my basking lights during the hotter part of the day; it is just too hot here. Jennifer Webb of Jungle Gems offers some good advice on cage set up in the Indicus Complex thread, but I do not subscribe at all to the 24 hour lighting concept. There is a group for this concept and a group against; I just happen to be in the group against for many reasons.

Cheers,

Michael

I am thinking that the people who claim these to be agressive or having a bad temperment have the wrong expectations prior to getting one. I think compared to a bearded dragon they are harder to manage and are of course a lot faster. Sometimes when you spend a lot of money on a pet you expect it to go get the newspaper for you lol...
I have been in the hobby for 15 years in San Diego County and have worked with almost every kind of lizard...I can honestly say these guys make great pets for someone looking for an all around great pet, for an advanced keeper. I would not recomend to someone new to lizards only because of the large size of 4 or more feet in length.