Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

simonc · Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2006 9:48 pm Post subject: Some Advice Please

I am looking to get a monitor and would like some advice as it will be my first.I have been keeping snakes for a long time and so have plenty of expereince with large animals(burms,retics,etc)
I will have room for an 8x3x3 viv for the monitor as an adult,and am not interested in dwarfs really.I have no intentions in breeding(i have enough of that with the snakes!) and just want a large,tame pet that i can interact with.I have dealt with the odd bosc and salvator in the past,do you think i am better off with one of these or something else?
thanks simon

Scott W · Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 8:46 am Post subject:

I personally would go for a bosc, far more chance of keeping tame and friendly.

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Rick_Albig · Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 10:29 am Post subject:

A Monitor may not be you best option for "a large tame pet". Each one is different, and no one on here can tell you that one particular type will be "tame."

As Scott said a Bosc would probably be you best bet and they are cheap and readily available. For the size of tank you can provide i would stick to medium sized monitors and not large species (Black throats, Waters, Niles etc)

If you want something a bit different, with an amazing feeding response and one of the most entertaining attitudes i have ever seen then look for an Argus monitor. They will not tame down easily and will not appreciate frequent handling (as most monitors wont) but they really are fantastic and they are all CBB. (if you can find some!)

Rick

simonc · Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 1:56 pm Post subject:

sorry i may have come across a bit naive,when i say "tame" i mean a monitor that i can interact with/handle a little without it trying to bite constantly!! I do have a pair of WC retics(sulawesi locale) so am no stranger to having to put in the effort.I have pretty much ruled out any of the big monitors and want something mid -size,thanks for the suggestions i will do some research on argus monitors and see where it leads me.
Any other tips advice for a new monitor keeper most appreciated!
(also any pointers on where i can see/buy an argus)

mark_w · Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 8:30 pm Post subject:

Sorry if you consider this a bit off topic, but I went through the same thought process as you; I came close to buying argus monitors, but decided on tegus instead. If you stick with either Tupinambis merianae (black and whites) from Argentina, T. rufescens (reds) or blues you will have a large monitor like lizard with (potentially) a really placid temperament.

Cheers,
Mark.

simonc · Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 10:34 pm Post subject: