Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have been interested in the Indicus (mangrove, peachthroat, bluetail, yellow) types for a while. I do not have any of this type yet and may never, but I was wondering what current owners have to say about caging layout. In your opinion should the cage be height or floor space oriented. For instance: a) 7 feet tall by 4 feet width and height , or b) 4 feet tall and deep by 7 feet length.

My research and experience with other monitors lead me to believe that "useable" height would be more important. I have never seen any other than at reptile shows, therefore I would like input from experienced keepers.

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Ed

Ed,

Using the minimum size rule that many monitor keepers use, your enclosure is within that rule with a 7L X 4W X 7H. If the other option was 7X7X4, I think it would be more comfortable. All V. indicus complex monitors love to swim. I currently keep only V. doreanus (of the V. indicus complex), but have kept V. indicus in the past and have significant observation time with a captive V. melinus. They spend a significant amount of time swimming. 1/3 of its enclosure is its swimming pool. I keep branches overhanging the water in order to give it more "ground space." Most enjoy climbing also, so your height for the enclosure (if 7ft) can be used for that purpose or with the 4ft height, you could still give it some ability to climb. My preference would be the 7L X 7W X 4H, if given the choice.

Cheers,

Michael

I have had all of the above. I have also kept them in all of the above. Either way can work and if given the choice I would try and mix both concepts into one.

Currently I only keep v. indicus out of the complex. I moved them from a larger sq/ft but short cage into a taller cage with slightly less sq/ft. Mine seem happier in this new setup.

Ed,

Our main area of experience is limited to V. jobiensis, but the following housing methods continue to work well for us.

In direct answer to your question, I feel that caging with a height that is equal to the length is desirable, but you will have to toy with basking temperatures and ascertain that the branches are meticulously placed in order to allow the monitors to adequately thermoregulate (which may mean placing some of them almost directly under the basking light). Caging with both ample height and length are ideal. These are extremely inquisitive, active monitors and will utilize every bit of cage space offered. It is very important that the cagescape allow the monitor to feel secure, though, and I suggest "packing" the cage with many branches, logs, cork bark, artificial greenery, etc. Open space is not relished by this species. We have also added a network of PVC piping underneath the substrate that the monitors can "squeeze" into for the added feeling of security. (Like many, we practice the 24 hour day/night cycle with these animals, and so this is also where they retreat when they have decided that it is "night".) They utilize this feature regularly in addition to residing in some of the burrows that they have created on their own.

With any monitor species, it is generally assumed that "bigger is better" when it pertains to housing, but I firmly believe that it is through providing a multitude of hide areas and an extremely varied heat gradient that these animals have been enabled to thrive in our care (not that I would ever recommend cramming these monitors, who can easily reach four feet in length, into a small enclosure). Jobiensis also have a penchant for high humidity, so choose a cage and substrate that will best meet your animal's needs.

Well, I'm getting a bit off track, but I do hope you've found this information to be of some use to you. I firmly believe that you will thoroughly enjoy ANY species in the Indicus Complex should you decide to purchase one (or two, or a trio) in the future. They are a joy to work with and are absolutely stunning to behold.

Have a nice evening.

Jennifer Webb
Jungle Gems Exotics
www.JungleGemsExotics.com