Why you never feed 2 monitors in same cage (warning dead monitor pic)

[Steeve B]

We always keep animals in pairs to rise as future breeders, but I never feed them in the same cage, unless it’s an adult pair and I can feed them with tongs in a controlled way.
Aim very busy these days and must rely on my employee to do my job, the golden rule is never ever feed 2 monitors at once, this is a sure recipe for disaster, sooner or letter one will kill the other. That’s what happened last knight; unfortunately it happened to a unique animal, as only 1.1 in all of North America. Aim very upset and mad.

I don’t know what’s worst losing my animal or being deceived by my friend, look at this photo what do you see? I see an animal that has eaten every rodent in the cage and hade his skull crushed while swallowing by its cage mate, this means he simply thru a handful of rat pups and left.


http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/502/959croc_bite_165-med.jpg

[BoidKeeper]

That's terrible. I'm very sorry for your loss.
Trevor

[Scales Zoo]

Steeve, we are so sorry for your loss! What a shame, to lose such a magnificent animal over an accident like this. I would be angry beyond words, as I am sure you have been.
All monitors and crocodilians we keep are housed and fed seperately, from youngsters to adults. At one time I kept 2 golden tegu juveniles together, until one day I witnessed a scrap over food, and one came too close to biting the other in the face. After that, we removed one for feeding, but still kept them together.
It is bad enough when it is one's own fault, but I admire your composure in light of the fact that you were deceived by an employee responsible for this disaster.

Sheila

[markb]

Hi Steve,

How Sad....you sure did not need to see this in your enclosures! How sad....I have seen many incidents where V. doreanus kill one another with head-bites like you photographed. Thanks for sharing. As Sheila said, your composure is amazing - you know how mad and furious I would be now, and not able to talk with anyone for days over such an event (when it happened to my varanids)....Take Care.
Regards,
mark bayless

[Steeve B]

Thanks for your support, this lost is indeed frustrating as it’s the second time it happens to the same guy, someone said you shod ask this employee to leave, obviously he doesn’t have a passion for animals. This is very true! He doesn’t have a passion for reptiles, however he’s a passionate father, also he committed this mistake out of passion (rushing to see new girlfriend) I think seeing how this affected me was a lesson to be learned.

Also; the step mother you hate so much, your third neighbour that’s always complaining or your addicted family member you’re so embarrassed about, no animal no matter how much you love them, they can’t enrich your life like the peoples around you. Especially you M Bayless I cherish you friendship more then any animal I have.

The message is quit clear!
Value your neighbours and your neighbours will value your passion!
Rgds

[markb]

HI Steve,

Thank you very much for your Sincere thoughts, and I return the expression of Friendship and Sincerety with the earnest warmth you have for your Family, your animals, your employee and even your grumpy neighbors, and mine too....

With Best Regards Steve,
mark

[Tim and Julie B]

Damn Steeve, that is so terrible. But even in your time of grieving you come on here to teach us all a valuable lesson on proper feeding techniques as well as compassion for your fellow man. I to am amazed at your composure right now and would like to offer my deepest condolences. I can tell from your previous post that all your animals no matter their cost are treated like members of the family. I know that this must be a hard time for you and hopefully you can fill the hole this left by caring for your other pets. Once again I am sorry for your loss, Tim.

[Colonel SB]

Oh Steve I'm sorry to hear about that.

[JeffT]

Sorry about that Steve. I hate loosing an animal to such a preventable cause.

[deadpinkphish6]

I too am very sorry to hear about this tragic event, but like I told my grandpa after he accidently hit his dog after 11 years of having her "You've got other pets who need your love just as much and even though you've lost (her) she will always be in your heart and you in hers"

[asphyxia]

Steve,

I just saw this post now, wow, I am very sorry here about this matter. I'm sure that some future accidents will be avoided by this post

Sincerely
Brian

[Potts]

Let me get this straight! Some "empolyee" was supposed to feed the monitors, and instead tossed in a bunch of rat pups and then took off to meet his girlfriend? And this has happened before? Give your head a shake and fire the lazy *******! Not only would I fire him but would make him pay for the monitor! He does not respect you or your animals. I am sorry for your loss, How many more times will it happen? Its up to you really...

[Bryce Masuk]

Potts thats A harsh responce
He mentioned the guy is a father what about supporting his kids maybe he is friends with the guy and screwed up I wouldnt be so quick to judge
And the monitior is not exactly buyable it takes A LOT of paperwork and chance to be able to import them

[Steeve B]

its always easy to judg others, in this hubby Iv seen too many guys that whod sell there mother for a snake, I also let go of a friend that passed a babie condro befor my friendship, I want nothing to do with anyone thinking reptiles are more important then there fello human, they are not.

[snakehunter]

hey guys, instead of firing the guy, how about just giving him a different job, and work away from the monitors and such, like stoking, or register ( im just taking a stab in the dark, i dont know what kind of buissness you run beit zoo, or pet shop etc.)

[TK2]

I am sorry but the above statement is a little to altruistic, there are many bad people (rapists, pedophiles, murders, liars, cheats, robbers etc... etc...etc...) out there that are not worth my monitors excretement.

(its always easy to judg others, in this hubby Iv seen too many guys that whod sell there mother for a snake, I also let go of a friend that passed a babie condro befor my friendship, I want nothing to do with anyone thinking reptiles are more important then there fello human, they are not.)

[Potts]

To true TK2! Us humans like to think where so special, where not. Ever here the term "dime a dozen" I hate to say this but humans are actually paracites. We destroy the earth and everything on it.

[V.hb]

Humans are a plague!!! however, there are a small majority of us (alot of which post on this site) that want to better the world, not destroy it. We should be thankful there are people around that do want to make a difference. In this sites case, captive breeding threatened animals!

[markb]

Nature does not allow a species to overpopulate too long before something happens, like Black death Plague, Dengue fever, Hanta-virus, Ebola-virus, SARS, or who knows what else is hiding, waiting to squash a few more thousand (or million?) of us unsuspecting, homo sapiens....its happened before (562-65 A.D.), and it will happen again - "Earth Abides" may be more fact than just a damn good story!! When this does occur, it will leave ample room for varanids to roam more freely over this planet, and life will perhaps resume in a more non-digress manner than it currently is befalling each and every living on thing on this planet...
cheers,
markb

[Bryce Masuk]

We have prevented what we can but our lack of understanding of nature is what will destroy us. Even forcing creatures to live in cages ir wrong should they not be free to roam where they wish to roam? but they no long have homes or at least many dont. and if they did they would be hunted in to extintion by humans for mere paper we obliterate what we love for paper sounds great when its like that doesnt it? there is a end where is a begining and there always will be