Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hi, im new to green tree monitors. i have raised cumingi but not green tree monitor. i have bought two green tree monitor about 20inches long from nose to the tip of it's tail. both of them are housed in one 24x18x20 plastic bin cage with screen cover on top. i have put a basking bulb on top and i regularly bask them under the sun for about 20minutes everyday. both of them are not active during the day and eats only 2 crickets a day. what could be wrong? what possible illness could they have? im pretty sure they are wild caught. they do flick their tongue and i inject egg inside their mouth for them to have anything in their stomach while im trying to figure out what is wrong with them. i mist them 4x a day with saline solution.

Everything is wrong, my friend.

You need to provide a suitable cage or you're going to lose 2 monitors very soon.

Nobody can write a whole caresheet in a single reply, so you're gonna have to research a bit.

ok. thanks! im worried maybe it's not the cage? perhaps their sick?

It's the cage.

Sorry to say, but it's obvious you don't know how to properly maintain those lizards. If you can accept that fact, however, and do what is necessary to set them up properly, I'm sure we can help you out.

By the way, what's with the misting four times daily with the saline solution? You're accelerating the snowball effect that will lead to your monitors' doom. Sounds harsh, but it's the truth... Not only is that keeping them from recovering, it's making their situation worse.

Yes it is the cage. You must fix it ASAP before it turns out to be the lizards too.

Believe us.

I'be been in your shoes and I have killed Green Tree Monitors before. Because of wrong caging.

You can search for some older posts of mine here and you'll see. There are plenty of interesting discussions.

Cut this saline solution. Mist them with water if you want to, but that alone is not going to solve.

One last thing: they go bad FAST.

Hello,

To get to the "meat of it" you cannot keep monitors with a heat lamp on them and a screen top. It WILL dehydrate and kill them fast. Fix this immediately and then continue your researcn quickly. They will need a solid top with restricted small ventilation to contain some humidity, like 70-80 percent... They may also be sick, being imports like all green trees(unless you got them from one of the very few breeders or breeder...) Also, cut the saline spray. Get a water bowl and use clean water if you have to spray them with anything... I wish you well with them and keep your updates running here.
Best to You- Mike S

I cannot believe anyone took the OP`s post seriously??

I agree with you on that one Murrindini.On the flip side knowledge can still be gained.People make this site to be without choice,when infact it has a broad range of differing opinions,experience etc.I know there are those that sole goal is to make sure the beginner gets the right imformation-guess what they are still going to sort through all the BS.I choose not to respond to anything Paradon has to say,because i see no point-but he has every right to give his opinion,whether i agree or not,disrespecting him has no value.

I don't care if people have their own sites they go to because they share similar thoughts and opinions-but to put down a melting pot site is hypocritical-you have to take the good with the bad.Conflict isn't always a bad thing-

thanks for all the help guys! i have my cage built. im moving them tomorrow or maybe the next day appreciate all your help

Hello NVQ KIng,

Glad to hear that your post was legitimate and that you received some quality information that you were seeking. Post back if more questions arise... Best to You- Mike S

NvqKing_snake,

Post some pictures if you can. Im sure people can help you keep your green trees properly.

I'll try not post anymore BS. I know I have no experience with monitor, but sometimes I thought I could help concerning some little things. Sorry for being a little overzealous.

Hello Paradon,

And you should post, minus the BS of course. I hope you can think of some great threads to get going... No more crud posts. Best to You- Mike S

Paradon, you post what you want,this is a public forum Moe

Hello Moe,

You know what, you are right. My apologies Paradon. Enjoy this place like everyone should. Thanks for the correction Moe, I was wrong. Best to You- Mike S

no need to apologize,it wasn't meant as a right or wrong-more how we choose to respond to posts we don't agree with-people make it seem there is only one choice.Sometimes not responding at all can be the best way to show what people think-no gas to fuel the fire.Or you can call people out on there comments,but we should still be respectful.

I can tell you right off the bat what you're doing wrong....Saline Solution....Just give them water. You dont need to make it any more complex than that. I've kept tree monitors for well over a decade and they're not nearly as complex as people make out. Give them plenty of hide-spots with temp gradients along with a good basking spot and high humidity. Other than that, they'll eat just about anything that any other monitor will eat. However, WC prefer insects over rodents but they will eventually come around to them. If you want them to thrive just stop with the saline solution.