Reptile & Amphibian Forums

just wondering what type of lighting people use for argus monitors since I've read so much on people saying uvb is not necessary but some say to always use it. personally I don't have uvb but I do provide a perfect heat spot and high calcium diet. I've had my Argus for months and he is as healthy as the say I got him from krusty(half a year ago).

Odd question, or what it a question? No, UV bulbs are not needed in the least.

And your answer is the monitor. I have to wonder and I do wonder, what the heck is a PERFECT basking, or high Calicum(what would that be? and what would perfect have to do with it?

Really, I have been doing this a long time now and I have no idea what a perfect anything is, other then having some very perfect results, then having to start all over again. With living animals, results are always temporary.

Anyway, it would be great to see some pics of your Perfect. Thanks

I'll rephrase that than, I provide an ideal hot spot and a rodent diet of chubby rats. pics on the way..

http://s17.postimage.org/endlgwygv/20120828_191346.jpg

You still have not told us how many degrees "ideal" & "Perfect" is.

Cage carpet and carefresh?? NOT perfect.

How well does carefresh hold a burrow??
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Regards,
Wayne A. Harvey
Thamnophis US
Savannah Monitors
Snakes and Lizards, It don't get any better....

Carefesh is really bad for reptiles... It sucks all the moisture out and can lead to shedding problem.

I will change out the carefresh I have a giant tub of dirt for him to burrow and my hot spot is 131. I am doing all this over phone. monitor is healthy so I know I'm doing something right but any advice is nice just don't make me feel like a idiot

I want to apologize if I offended anyone im young and dumb but I'm just here for help not to argue

Here is what needs to happen.

I was just like you once, in fact not so long ago.. I came on here and posted my monitor, and people tried to tell me I was doing things wrong, I refused to listen, and my monitor eventually died.

I too said "he's healthy" but in fact he was not. He was slowly dying from the inside out, and once he finally looked sick, it was too late to reverse anything, and his death was gruesome ugly.

So here is the first things you really need to address, A tub of dirt to burrow in is no substitute for a ton of soil.

you'll need at least a pickup truck bed's full of dirt for a typical Argus enclosure, that should be an absolute minimum of 8 feet wide, and 4 feet tall, four feet front to back, however, due to the hyper nature of this species, I would honestly recommend 12 to 16 feet wide.

Yo will also want a log or very large tree branch securely bolted - drill 1/4 inch holes, and use galvanised bolts with washers and lock nuts to secure it. The last thing you want is for a large log to fall on your lizard.

There should be a minimum of 2 feet of dirt nearly everywhere inside the cage, so your lizard can chose exactly where it wants to burrow on it's own.

I made "artificial burrows in my cage, and son of a gun if my little monster didn't backfill that and make their own elsewhere.

That tub you have filled with dirt, use that for your water bowl.

An ideal basking spot should be anywhere from 130 degrees to 150 degrees. The best option would be to stack sheets of plywood on 2x4's and create a "basking stack" (See photo below)

Once those conditions are met, please don't expect your Argus to be friendly, because once they heat up to the right temps, it will gladly dismember the family cat and eat it.

Good luck!!

...........

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Regards,
Wayne A. Harvey
Thamnophis US
Savannah Monitors
Snakes and Lizards, It don't get any better....

thanks for the advice and I just felt like things got a little,heated In a few post. I just felt I should try,clearing things up and not try to start a argument or anything. my monitor actually took over a whole bedroom at my house which is now his room. it's wood floor still but we are gonna tile or for easier clean up .I gave him a huge water bowl it's big enough for his whole body right now.I would like to fill his actual cage with soil as you said though I just need to seal the cage better until I atleast get tile. my monitor has never been nice hahaha ever since the day I got him he's been hissing and whipping his tail at me. I've long given up hope of holding him but I must say as the months have gone by that he allows me closer so the trust is building, and ive never tried forcing handling on him not even when he was smaller. thanks again for the help and any other advice would really be appreciated.

That's Frank. He talks crap about everybody, regardless. [chuckle] Dont take it personally.

no harm done just here to learn