Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi I am a long time reader at kingsnake, I used to post way back in 2001 but since I have not had a collection since 2005 I have not been back in a while. (i only like to keep herps if they are in big elaborate and cool vivariums that I have time to baby)

I am very settled down now and want to return to monitor keeping. I would like to acquire two Varanus griseus (any subspecies) for an in-store display. (The species is non-negotiable) This may be years off depending on company growth but a girl can dream okay? The display will be on par with major zoo enclosures, with custom sculpture etc. Most of all it will create an ideal enviroment for them to get big and healthy.

I'm finding that they are difficult to find and rare in their native habitat so I will probably want to attempt breeding, also.

How hard is it to find an available pair of any sex in Washington State, USA? I found a breeder in Europe, but I don't think it sounds like a good idea to ship from Europe to Washington. How much should I expect to pay for juveniles or adults?

In the enclosure is it necessary to have anything unusual like a subterranean chamber? They seem fussy about their enviroment from stories I've read.

I donated my copy of Giant Lizards to the Memphis Zoo's private library so I can't see what Sprackland said about them, if anything.

Just putting my feelers out to see where this species is at for hobbyists.

Desert monitors are CITES 1, which means you are required to have permits to go state to state.

THey were bred in the states for a while, but I am not sure they are being produced any longer.

Also, they are not a good candidate for indoor cages, they need lots of room, as do most medium sized species. Good luck

Thanks for the info FR. That is the rumor that I heard, that they are not being bred anymore in the states.

Acquiring the permits shouldn't be too much of a problem. I think I will have to wait a long time to even locate a pair. I'll just get the permit and keep looking. If it is that difficult then there is no question that they will have to be breeders.

not sure it works that way, I think you have to have specific animals located, then apply for permits.

That needs to be done on a national level USFWS and with states. In the U.S. its another agency, but dang if I can remember. Goggle it up. Best wishes

Oh I see how it works. It's easier to obtain a temp "pet" import license.

Well I did find out the very first captive bred V griseus was born in the Tel Aviv research zoo. I imagine I'll be able to find a breeder in Israel at some point, since they might be indigenous to Israel.

When you say outdoor works better, do you mean because of the size of the enclosure can be bigger, or that the fresh air and sunshine is important? I was planning on a 9x6 cage approximately.

I think this will be expensive but it would be worth it.

CBU has a pair that they hope to produce babies from in 2013 they say, on Facebook.

CITES 1(endangered species) means you must prove your importing one for conservation reasons, whatever that means.

Once they are in the country, its a bit easier, but still need permits going from state to state. If someone has them in your state, you need no permits. You will only need permits if you intend to export them to other states or countries. Best wishes

I did read through all of the legal documents on CITES, and CITES is managed differently in each nation. What you do in the USA is you purchase the animal from a breeder, the breeder then has to give you a signed document which you give to the government regulators and you import it as your "pet". You would have to do that for each animal. And you have to really trust the breeder.

This is done through the US Fish and Wildlife Service, who says:

"How long will it take to process my permit? We process applications in the order they are received. Please allow at least 30 days for processing. This time may be longer if your pet is a CITES Appendix-I species. We will contact you if we need more information to complete the processing of your application. An incomplete or unclear application will cause delay in processing. If you meet all of the issuance requirements, a permit will be issued. Your permit will be mailed to the address you provide on your application. If you want your permit express mailed, please provide a pre-paid label or credit card information (account number and expiration) for express delivery."

I guess I'll find out how easy or hard it is eventually. Anyways I found out there are Womas being bred here in WA state. How cool is that?

Womas have been bred in your state since the early ninties at least. I shipped a bunch there. hahahahahahaha

The problem is not what they tell you, they being FWS, its what they do. I had CITES 2 pemits take two years, then were approved. With CITIES 1 the last I heard you must show that your doing something for the conservation of that species.

In state, you do not need any permits what so ever, state to state is not so bad, but when it includes FWS, its a mess. or can be a mess.

I did indeed ship womas to europe and as touchy as they are, the field agent that inspected the shipment called my womas, cornsnakes. hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm it depends on whom you work with And in that you have no choice. best of luck. but I would look at another similar species.

I'd recommend you find a different species. Importing Cities 1 animals is a nightmare. Damn near impossible.

Thanks for the info. I guess I'll need a biology degree or something.

Okay I'll try something else, if there are any other monitors native to persia. I don't think there are.

I am definitely willing to go to California at some point to pick up a pair though. I am also willing to at least try and throw the fees at F&W, too.

You do not need a degree, you need experience. In your case, It seems you have BIG PICTURES, but no method to get there.

I recommend starting slowly, at least a little, no a lot, slower.

Please do not be offended, but lots and lots of really nice folks want what you want, and only go on to torture monitors, then move on to something else.

Please gain some experience, there are many many wonderful species that are not PROTECTED and make great captives. Cheers

I am not offended I totally get where you are coming from, I have seen what happens to reptiles that are not properly taken care of.

I am going to set up for some nile monitors, because I love nile monitors also and wanted a pair forever, and finally am in a position to accommodate a pair. In the time it takes for me to raise them I'm sure the griseus will be possible to achieve and ill have experience with building and feeding niles.