Looking Into Purchasing a Monitor

[ReptiliansDOTca]

Eventually, there will come a point where I will be seriously interested in purchasing a varanid of my own. Now, I am not one to ask people for recommendations on a reptile, however when speaking varanids it is a whole new ball game. I do not want any specific information as of yet, but rather I am looking for some species names to investigate. Now, I tend to prefer the monitors such as Lace Monitors, Mangrove Monitors, and Timors Monitors due to the shape of the head. I do not know how to put it into words correctly, however I tend to dislike the monitors with the headshapes similar to that of the Savannah Monitor. In addition, there tends to be the two distinct head shapes within the various monitor species. So given my preference in looks, and taking into consideration that this will be my first true varanid, what recommendations would you guys provide? This is, of course, besides the Nile Monitor ;)

[Jeff_Favelle]

Varanus glauerti

[xdiversichicx]

um well i can tell you what my favorites are. lol dont really know what youre looking for.
but i like savannahs (i have one and she is an absolute sweeyheart now), argus, timors, and water monitors.
and green tree monitors are beautiful. i saw one at the reptile zoo, although as far as i know you cant buy them as of now.

[matmq]

Even though the head shape may not be to your liking, i would suggest starting with a small monitor, the first monitor i wanted was a lace around thirteen years ago ,i was 10 at the time , the pet shop then informed me a bosc was similar so i had one of them ,looking back now my parents were very irresponsible to get me an animal that dominated 13 years of my life (just shows what bolloc*s they will tell you to make a sale) after a-lot of research and thirteen years later, one thing i have learned is gain as much experience as you can dealing with different monitors, find people who have already got the next monitor you plan on having and ask to clean and feed them. I speak from expierence i was fifteen years old weighed 180 pounds and went to the gym everyday and a five and a half foot nile ripped five chunks of flesh out of my arm and there was nothing i could do about it, i lost around 70% of mobility in my arm and even now my arm has still not fully healed. that was an error on my part because i completely misdjudged a feeding response but i also took a bite on the throat from a supposedely completely tame sav i haad to have seven stitches and suffered a fractured cheek bone, i suppose what i am trying to say is people completely underestimate the raw power of varanids of any size, it's quite amusing when you take a bite from a hatchling but 6 months later it's a completely different story,the reason for this post is in march i aquired a water monitor (wc) at the time i was led to believe it was cb but at the moment even though i have experience with niles e.t.c this water monitors temperament is 10x worse, what i am trying to say is not every lizard will end up being what you wan't to be just be prepared for an unhandleable lizard, instead of trying to get rid of it , treat it for what it is an animal that is showing natural behaviour, which at least shows you are doing something right

cheers mat mchugh

[ReptiliansDOTca]

Jeff, I had been considering the Kimberly Rock Monitor, it is good you mentioned that.

Matt, I am sorry to hear of your troubles. When you say 'small monitor' are you suggesting something like a Tegu or Ackie? I have worked with them, and they really do not spark my interest. But then again, you never know.

[V.hb]

I always liked indo monitors (as to your head shape reference, mostly indos, or oz) The kimberlies are gorgeous too, never worked with them so I can't comment, but id love to try :)

If you want something really sweet, look into Argus monitors. I've always been real happy with african varanids, like blackthroats which are still my first love but I recently got an argus, and I have to say, as far as intellect in a lizard goes, these guys are smart! very instinctive, very active.. Alot of fun. Not to hissy either..

[ReptiliansDOTca]

Adam, I just did a quick look up on them, and they may be exactly what I am looking for, thank you for that. Are they accessible in Ontario?

[DonMeyer]

Wow I'm loving them too!!!!!! And making cages are sooooo easy and I have plenty of space in my basement!

[V.hb]

to my knowledge they can be difficult to find, took me awhile.. where are you located?

[reptiguy123]

KRMs are really beautiful, if you are going for looks.