What would you do?

[Reps4life]

Hello I was just wanting to know if a 2ft mangrove monitor could be housed in a 6ft long x 6ft high x 3ft deep enclosure or if it is too big for it right now? There are logs, a few hides, and a nice water bowl in there also. thanks

[llovelace]

They grow to what 3-5 feet? They grow pretty quick I hear, so that size seems good, you can add a swimming pool for it

[MMReptiles]

Too big? You're housing one of the most shy reptiles available. The more space the better. It will last you a little while, but I would expand it as soon as possible. V. indicus can hit 5 foot (I've seen a couple) and being shy/flighty monitors you need to offer as much space as possible.

[Reps4life]

Yeah thats what I thought. Im working on a pool with a drainage system and everything. And yes it is a pretty shy animal for now. But I had no problem holding it out of the bag.

[gbassett]

Depending on the locality of the mangrove,most of the animals imported to the U.S. only get about 3 to 3.5 feet.Some do get bigger but it all depends on where they where collected.So you cage should be fine for now,but I would go bigger.These guy are not the easiest monitor to care for.They don't take well to captivty and most will fail in the fist year.One of the biggest problems new keeper do with these animals,is they fail to offer security.These guy don't like being seen and need to be given the ability to move about the enclosure and bask with out being seen.They do not take well to handling and the stress from it could kill them.The need a hot and humid cage,but they have thin skin and are prone to fungal infection if kept too wet,so you need to know the difference between humid and wet.Most new keeper struggle with this and even old timers do as well.I still have problem with it.I still do not understand why you went with an Indcus instead of a roughneck.The roughneck would have been far more rewarding as captive.All in all The Indcus complex suck as captives.Most people who keep them myself included will tell you keeping them is like feeding a cage.

Could you post some pictures of your set up so we can help get you going in the right direction,plus I love seeing pics of the Inducs complex as the are the best looking monitors out there IMO

Greg

[Reps4life]

Depending on the locality of the mangrove,most of the animals imported to the U.S. only get about 3 to 3.5 feet.Some do get bigger but it all depends on where they where collected.So you cage should be fine for now,but I would go bigger.These guy are not the easiest monitor to care for.They don't take well to captivty and most will fail in the fist year.One of the biggest problems new keeper do with these animals,is they fail to offer security.These guy don't like being seen and need to be given the ability to move about the enclosure and bask with out being seen.They do not take well to handling and the stress from it could kill them.The need a hot and humid cage,but they have thin skin and are prone to fungal infection if kept too wet,so you need to know the difference between humid and wet.Most new keeper struggle with this and even old timers do as well.I still have problem with it.I still do not understand why you went with an Indcus instead of a roughneck.The roughneck would have been far more rewarding as captive.All in all The Indcus complex suck as captives.Most people who keep them myself included will tell you keeping them is like feeding a cage.

Could you post some pictures of your set up so we can help get you going in the right direction,plus I love seeing pics of the Inducs complex as the are the best looking monitors out there IMO

Greg

I will get pics up asap. I was going to get a roughneck but they sold it before i could get it. This little guy has been hiding since i got him. So I take it it will hide all of the time? Not a big deal but i want to see it every now and then because they are so beautiful! also Where would you recomend getting plants at? Everywhere I looked they were like $5 for a little tiny plant.

[Reps4life]

Here are the pics. I know I need WAY more plants but the ones I have found are so expensive. And I am building a pool for him tomorrow. It will be a 2x3 pool for swimming and stuff. It has been hiding in this log since I got it too. probably because there is nowhere else to hide. I need more plants ASAP so does anyone know where to get them cheap? thanks.



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[gbassett]

That cage is very bare.I would 1 mix that dirt with some sand and add more.Mangroves will burrow and it will help them to regulate thine humidity levels.2 add about a foot of leaves in the cage,it will help keep the substrate moist,there for keeping the overall humidity up in the cage.So you wont have to mist as much.Mangroves have a thin skin and are prone to fungal infections if kept to wet,but they need decent amount of humidity so they don't dry out and become dehydrated.And the leaf liter will help you achieve this.3 put a few more logs in there if you can find hollow ones,that would be best.You want to give him the ability to move about the cage without being seen.I know it sucks but in the long run it will be better for you and your monitor.If he can move though being out the cage with out being seen he will be able to see you.He will grow comfortable with his surrounding and will learn you are not a threat and will soon start showing himself more and more.But I will tell you,this is a long process you did not pick the best monitor to work with.


Greg

[Reps4life]

That cage is very bare.I would 1 mix that dirt with some sand and add more.Mangroves will burrow and it will help them to regulate thine humidity levels.2 add about a foot of leaves in the cage,it will help keep the substrate moist,there for keeping the overall humidity up in the cage.So you wont have to mist as much.Mangroves have a thin skin and are prone to fungal infections if kept to wet,but they need decent amount of humidity so they don't dry out and become dehydrated.And the leaf liter will help you achieve this.3 put a few more logs in there if you can find hollow ones,that would be best.You want to give him the ability to move about the cage without being seen.I know it sucks but in the long run it will be better for you and your monitor.If he can move though being out the cage with out being seen he will be able to see you.He will grow comfortable with his surrounding and will learn you are not a threat and will soon start showing himself more and more.But I will tell you,this is a long process you did not pick the best monitor to work with.


Greg

ther are many more plants in there now but i will take your advice. also he hasnt eaten since i got him. its been almost a week. any suggestions?

[gbassett]

It may take a while for him to settle in.Mangroves will take security over food.If he feels exposed he will not come out to eat.Try leaving the food in there over night.Try this for a few nights.If he is still not eating,try cutting the mouse up and leaving that in there over night.


Also check your temps
Greg