Moments that make you consider your place in the food chain.

http://newenglandreptile.com/webpics/swat2.jpg

This is Papa - an adult male crocodile monitor (Varanus salvadorii). He's approximately 9' STL & fortunately a real sweetheart to work with.

Enjoy!

K

DAYMN - nice! Has he topped his size potential out? What's he eat and how often?

And who does his nails - they are to die for!

beautiful animal K,
I am glad he is easy to work with, I hear that many croc monitors (even thou not so popular) are "nicer" then some of the more common varanids.
He is gorgeouse!
Thanks
Rusty

Wow...he's quite something! And I echo Smulkin's questions...how big will he get (if any bigger?) and what does he eat?

This species can exceed 10' in overall length, so Papa could possibly get bigger - just understand that most of the length is in that strong, prehensile tail. He eats a "monitor mix" comprised of f/t rodents of various sizes 3 times a week & we supplement with cooked poultry.

We typically do his nails in house with a heavy-duty drill attachment, although we've also had our vet do them during a surgery to remove an abcessed tooth from Papa's mouth. They were MUCH easier to trim while he was under anesthesia! Fortunately his new digs allow for lots of room to climb, as well as tree trunks & branches to climb on, so keeping his nails worn down should be easier in the future.

K

Wow...Talk about jurassic looking......Cool looking Papa there K.

Man! Pappa dont take no mess! :shock: Hes scary and awsome seems like alot to handle (claws,teeth and a tail) I used to have a baby savanah named Ike and I thought he was a terror....


Oh BTW I also use a heavy duty drill attatchment to do my nails :lol:

Could you immagine if you could walk the booger on a leash down the main street. The stare's and conversations you could get started.

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Could you immagine if you could walk the booger on a leash down the main street. The stare's and conversations you could get started.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Not to mention the occasional encounter with somebodies dog :shock:

Scary! In a good way that is.