Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Question: I've read - for what's that's worth - that if water monitors are well kept, fed, heated, etc their total length at end of year one is approximately 3/4 of their eventual final total length. Any truth to that rumour? Just curious what the experts might say.. Thanks.

I am by no means an expert but do keep a salvator. too many other factors come into play with the life span of any animal to be able to put any type of calculation on what size one would get. I would rack that up as a myth. Bank it right next to the old 'this snake will only get as big as it's tank you keep it in'

I might be mistaken here, but I get the impression it was Prof. Dr. Sam Sweet who first said (some species) of varanids can reach their full size within a year, I thought that was directed towards some odatrian species?
I`ve personally never seen a Varanus salvator (of the larger sub species (macromaculatus etc),reach anything close to 6ft or so in 12months, even under optimum conditions? Mine never have!

Thanks to you and Dav46 for the responses. Myth was what I suspected.

From your experience - what total length is to be anticipated once fully grown? Not that I haven't read every bit of text on the topic accessible online - it's that they seem to contradict. Total length figures seem to range considerably - some sources claiming 5.5 - 6' average in captivity - with others claiming 9' and up are common. Would really like to know where the truth falls in your experience.

Thanks.

Hi again,
I think when you read the sizes they "usually" reach in captivity, it must be remembered that those average figures don`t differentiate between the average for females and the average for males, merely give the overall figures.
I know there are very reliable reports of males getting over 9 feet (2.7m), I think 7 to 8ft males wouldn`t be too rare. The females somewhat smaller (this is V. s. macromaculatus). Of course, the other subspecies reach different adult lengths (on average). "Average" is a great word!!

YES, they can reach 3/4 their total length. 4 ft in a single year is absolutely achievable, and more.

You should expect a Sumatran Water to reach at least 6 ft. as an adult, sometimes more.

4 ft in a year, that should be expected, it is no world record.

HOWEVER, that is LENGTH, and that is a different thing than MASS. They may not reach 3/4 total adult mass, but length? Absolutely, and that is the question that was asked...
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robyn@proexotics.com

ShipYourReptiles.com
Pro Exotics Reptiles

This guy was 12 inches last December when I got him now pushing 3.5 - 4 feet. He just got through a nice soaking in the tub and was just reaching for a towel when I took this shot...haha.