"Now temps of 150F are common place and normal. Real security is now normal for monitors. Living in groups and being social is now normal."-FR
I would like to reply directly to this statement.
This type of husbandry is UNFORTUNATELY not normal.
For the record so we don't get off track, I use and support this type of husbandry, have had great success with it and do all I can to promote it.
Modern husbandry technique is still seen by most in both the zoological and private sectors as overboard, unnecessary, lavish and even stupid. I'm an AZA commercial member and am in a different zoo just about every month and can tell you that this type of husbandry is not the norm in zoos. There are notable exceptions, but by and large modern husbandry technique is not applied to varanids in zoos. I work very hard to bring this type of husbandry to exhibits and it is a serious uphill climb to even get zoos thinking about keeping monitors in this fashion.
Go on any hobby site or you tube and check out the conversation about husbandry, then tell me this type of keeping is normal. It is outright rejected by most in the reptile community. Most keepers still use screen topped fish tanks with big lights and UTH or racks/tubs that do not allow behavior or observation.There are maybe 60,maybe 100...maybe people worldwide applying modern husbandry technique to varanids, thousands who don't.Far from normal.
Pick any commonly kept animal, offer it this type of husbandry, go on the forums and show a pic or talk about it and watch the frowns roll in. Normal...sadly no, should it be...hell yes.
B

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