Happy 2nd Birthday Haephus!

[mumps]

2 years have gone by quick!

Haephus, our Ornate monitor (Varanus ornatus), hatched out 2 years ago today. I did not produce him, a fellow varanid enthusiast here in Canada did. I knew I had to get one!

We celebrated by me toasting him with a nice rum & coke, and I gave him a medium and a small rat, without the candles, lol.

It's hard to get an accurate measurement, but he's pretty close to 6 feet. His new enclosure is in the works, but I can't finish it fast enough; I was hoping to move him in today but it's still a ways off.

Here's some pics I took tonight after feeding. I put the deli cup that I brought him home in next to him so you can get some idea of the growth rate.

He is just an awesome lizard.







Chris

[bsash]

Very beautiful ornate! I'm glad he/she is doing so well.

[slayer]

Now that is a sexy beast

[gbassett]

Chris,is there a difference in the temperament between the wild caught and true cbb?

That is on nice looking Ornate


Greg

[mumps]

Chris,is there a difference in the temperament between the wild caught and true cbb?

That is on nice looking Ornate


Greg

Thanks, Greg.

I raised a WC Nile back in the nineties, and it took a little longer to establish trust, but in the end, if you play by the rules there are no problems. My Nile turned into a gentle beast, getting free roam in the basement when supervised.

Haephus is a joy to work with in his enclosure, as long as he is in his own territory. The last time he ventured out (while I was cleaning his water tub), he behaved as if he was in the wilds of Africa and I was a predator stalking him. Quite the wrestling match to get him back in! One of the reasons I believe so strongly in walk-in enclosures for large varanids; on their turf they trust you more as they're not stressed by new surroundings.

I'm yet to get anyone else in the house to stroke him; they're all terrified lol.

Chris

[h00blah]

I'm yet to get anyone else in the house to stroke him; they're all terrified lol.

Chris

i'd be all over that

[Big Gunns]

He's awesome.

The Ornates are usually the tamest of the Niles in BG's opinion.

[Tikall]

Wow, the deli cup comparison is amazing! Really good looking monitor.

[Nadamamasboy]

He looks great! Can you post a picture of you holding him?

[mumps]

He looks great! Can you post a picture of you holding him?

Haephus, at this point in time, does NOT like to be held. So I don't.

Chris