New Water monitor (south Africa)

[snakemanjayd]

HI
I got a nile water monitor this morning.
Caught it actually, as I live in south africa.
So I was just wondering what type of setup you guys usually use for yours.
It's still a small guy, less than a foot.
I saw some caresheets, but they weren't explicit enough.
If I feed the little guy on mice and small lizzards, how often do I feed it?
Do you use under tank heating as well as lights?

[Evans]

Like I said on your last post. I don't know allot about Monitors but If this is a wild caught monitor I would recommend that you check for parasites, if you haven't already.

[snakemanjayd]

Thanks, I've checked for mites and ticks already.
It seems clean and in good condition.
It's got really brite colours.

[snakemanjayd]

Here's a pic.
It bites like crazy.

[Evans]

From what I know they grow like a weed, I mean they can seriously grow quickly. I believe they get around 5-8ft and can inflict serious injuries to a person with an in-experienced handler (not saying you are) just need to be careful. From what i've read before you feed it once to twice a week on a ranged diet of mice, crickets, mealworms and possible goldfish.

[snakemanjayd]

Cool, thanks for the input.
I've caught a larger one before...



So I have a pretty good idea of what they get like. But I let the big one go, the same day.
Sorry about the picture quality, was taken a long time ago, on an old crappy phone camera.
Ya, I just caught the little guy today and thought I'd try keeping him.
Thanks for the advice though.

[RoyalGuardian]

Here's a pic.
It bites like crazy.

what a cute picture!

[snakemanjayd]

Thanks

[gilbertflores]

get him vet checked, make sure he is good, then set him in a decent sized tank...maybe 30-40 gal for now with some top soil in it.

feed him some insects and pinkies every other day if not everyday. he will grow like a weed. and will be pretty flightly but he looks awesome.

[AjBalls]

Nile water monitor? That's one I've never heard of.

I'm pretty sure it's just a Nile monitor as Niles are native to Africa and Waters native to Asia.

Here's a page on them
http://www.sandsexoticanimals.com/ca...lemonitor.html