Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

Michael C · Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 4:33 am Post subject: Varanus bengalensis nebulosus

Since there has been so much discussion of Varanus bengalensis, I thought I would post a picture of my male Varanus bengalensis nebulosus. He is typical of males found in most areas of Thailand and peninsular Malaysia, albeit a little brighter in colouration. Those that I have seen in northeast Thailand have been darker and duller, similar to the invalid Varanus bengalensis vietnamensis form. There is also a seasonal change of colour that has been observed, not in actual colour so much as in darker and lighter colouration.

Cheers,
Michael

lol93 · Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 10:29 am Post subject:

Impressive looking animal!

Sean · CaptiveBred Addict! Joined: 28 Oct 2005 Posts: 602

This is typical of the bengalensis that used to be seen in captivity within the UK. I remember a friend of mine had a huge male of around 6ft or so, looked just like yours. Plus there was another one of such proportions kept in a park near where I live.

predator · Contributing Member Joined: 18 Jan 2006 Posts: 110

i really like the look of his head nice animal.
do you have a single one?
since when have you kept this animal.

grts jelle

Michael C · Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 1:00 am Post subject:

I have kept the male since he was a hatchling and the female since she was baby/juvenile. I have kept them for two years, since shortly after moving to Thailand. They are just reaching sexual maturity now. They were raised inside until >60cm. The male has been rather aggressive since he was a juvenile. The female was very gentle (most unusual for this species) until she was placed in the outside enclosure, but since then has become fearful/aggressive, hissing before accepting her food. This is nothing compared to the male which will actually charge if he believes there is food present. Here is a picture of the female, which is actually much more typical of Varanus bengalensis nebulosus:

The progeny of these two will be released into the wild, but I may keep a couple of them.
Cheers,
Michael

Michael C · Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 2:57 am Post subject:

lol93, thank you for the kind comment. I never realised that he would turn out this way when he was a little baby. They go through a great deal of colour (dark brown to yellow/brown) and pattern (spots to 'clouded')change from hatchling to adult.
Cheers,
Michael

Scott W · Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 7:32 am Post subject:

certainly an impressive monitor Michael, real powerful looking, those claws are definately something to stay clear of! Laughing

Good luck if you're attempting breeding them.
_________________

Please DO NOT pm orders for reptiles, send email instead scott@captivebred.co.uk

Michael C · Posted: Wed Sep 27, 2006 7:07 am Post subject:

Thank you Scott. He got me with the talons earlier this year, when I had to grab him and he did not want to be grabbed (burrowed his way into the neighboring enclosure). Took a couple months for the marks to go away.
Cheers,
Michael