nile moniter

[herp krayzee]

Hey Everyone

One of my friends has told me he is interested in getting a water moniter and i've been trying to talk him out of it. I was wondering if someone that owns one can post a pick of their adult or sub-adult to show him how big they get. I really don't think its a good idea at all because he has never kept any reptiles before. Hopefully this will make him think it over and get something way smaller and easier to care for.

thanks for your help
Darren

[casacrow]

I own a juvie. It is only about a foot and a half long right now. I can honestly say that it can be a bit of a handful even at this size. It tries to bite everytime I go near it and it does bite real hard! I do not see a problem keeping them though, if someone has the room for them and experience. It might be better to start out with a smaller monitor and work their way up.

[V.aw]

Tell him Niles/Waters look very nice and usually come cheap but they are ALOT of work. I'am not going to say he isnt ready to handle one.. To much of that goes on here. Me for example, my first Monitor i got (this is my first reptile i had purchased for a very long time, probably 6-7 years) Was in fact a nile. I started stupid, got bit. Didnt mind.. Ended up loving the hobby again went out and purchased supplies and made a large enclosure for the nile, and soon after the addiction started which lead me to now owning a trio of blackthroat monitors with intentions to breed!!

But, you know your friend. I Dont. Theres obviously some reason you want to keep him from purchasing one. Check out the monitorspot at www.themonitorspot.com Great site a breeder from Toronto Ont runs.. That'l give your buddy some info.

Alot of people are quick to judge a newbie by having no past expieriance. But i do say, if he reads up on the animal and gains some knowledge, they really are not that hard to keep.

[herp krayzee]

Thank you for replying so quickly. My reason for objecting to him getting a nile as his first lizard is simply it's size potential and adult enclosure size. I in fact would love to own a nile or water myself someday but I know i dont have the experience and room to accomidate such a reptile. I was just trying to point out to him that it may not be a wise idea to start of with a lizard that can get that large. Considering he lives in his own appartment with two roomates and he does not have the room (bedoom approx 12x12 feet)
Darren