Are there any "medium sized" monitors?

lol.... ive been looking for different monitors, so far ive only come across ackie monitors, which might be ok, depending on the size. I just read that red ackies get 24-30" and i think 30" would be a good size. (though im not sure because idk how much of that is tail length) also read that red ackies cost more than yellows?

are there any other monitors that dont get huge. (over 4 ft?/ huge enclosure requrements) but are larger than ackies?

oh yeah... and im also looking for a "beginner" model. LOL. i think a sav would probably be to big. at least for now...

Savannahs are a great sized monitor and seem to be great pets. There is also kimberly rock monitors, dumeril monitors and a few others that are now escaping me. I really want a savannah but they seem to be real expensive to feed and at the moment i dont really have the room for their caging requirements. They need AT LEAST a 6x2, many people will say bigger though.

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Originally Posted by redstormlax12

Savannahs are a great sized monitor and seem to be great pets. There is also kimberly rock monitors, dumeril monitors and a few others that are now escaping me. I really want a savannah but they seem to be real expensive to feed and at the moment i dont really have the room for their caging requirements. They need AT LEAST a 6x2, many people will say bigger though.

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yeah ive been reading that they need like 8ft enclosures and stuff which is kinda huge... and im not sure how big they really get. weight or legnth wise. ill check out those other monitors.

First off, no Savannah monitors, they grow quite large and need massive amounts of room.

If you know nothing about monitors and need to ask this question, first please do more research. And second, it would be best to start with a smaller monitor, such as ackies.

You could also consider tegus. But please do your research.

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Originally Posted by qiksilver

First off, no Savannah monitors, they grow quite large and need massive amounts of room.

If you know nothing about monitors and need to ask this question, first please do more research. And second, it would be best to start with a smaller monitor, such as ackies.

You could also consider tegus. But please do your research.

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Thats what im trying to do? Its kind of hard to find a list of all monitors that are small-medium sized and good for beginners. Sure I dont know much about monitors but I haven't really tried to find anything out about their care, im just looking for ones that im interested in first. Its not hard to learn how to take care of an animal.

Ive already read some contradicting stuff looking through care sheets... :/

The problem with monitors are that there are all sorts of 'experts' giving bad info, and the really amazing animals are not good for beginners (expense, rarity, size, etc.).

For example, as previously mentioned, Kim's (Varanus glauerti) are expensive and difficult to find if you don't know where to look. I would not suggest them as a beginner monitor.

Your best bet would be ackies as they're extemely widespread as CBB individuals. Timors (V. timorensis or V. auffenbergi) are also widely available, but i would say almost all you will find will be WC. Tree monitors are mid sized and wonderful, but can be fragile/expensive. Many of the widely available monitors (niles, waters, and the albigularis/exanthematicus group) are a terrible idea for a first foray into varanids.

There are many people with monitor experience on the board, but I'm just sayin, find what you like and start researching. Also, if you're not interested in Ackies, and the other Odatria, what is it that you're looking for in a monitor?


http://www.mampam.com/index.php?opti...id=0&Itemid=86

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Originally Posted by I<3Dreamsicles

are there any other monitors that dont get huge. (over 4 ft?/ huge enclosure requrements) but are larger than ackies?

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Ackies themselves need an enclosure as large as what you mentioned, anything bigger is going to need a bigger enclosure. ;)

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Originally Posted by qiksilver

The problem with monitors are that there are all sorts of 'experts' giving bad info, and the really amazing animals are not good for beginners (expense, rarity, size, etc.).

For example, as previously mentioned, Kim's (Varanus glauerti) are expensive and difficult to find if you don't know where to look. I would not suggest them as a beginner monitor.

Your best bet would be ackies as they're extemely widespread as CBB individuals. Timors (V. timorensis or V. auffenbergi) are also widely available, but i would say almost all you will find will be WC. Tree monitors are mid sized and wonderful, but can be fragile/expensive. Many of the widely available monitors (niles, waters, and the albigularis/exanthematicus group) are a terrible idea for a first foray into varanids.

There are many people with monitor experience on the board, but I'm just sayin, find what you like and start researching. Also, if you're not interested in Ackies, and the other Odatria, what is it that you're looking for in a monitor?


http://www.mampam.com/index.php?opti...id=0&Itemid=86

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Im liking the timors... the only size reference for them i could find was wikipedia and they said 2-4 ft.... but then i saw a vid online of a blue spotted timor female and it was 26" and supposedly big? Adult pics would be good... :weirdface

Ive seen green tree monitors from the breeder i got my snake off of... theyre expensive yeah.

I dont know what the other odatria are... or what im looking for. I like ackies but they just seem small for what i want. same with timors sort of. They seem about the same size as ackies?

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Originally Posted by m00kfu

Ackies themselves need an enclosure as large as what you mentioned, anything bigger is going to need a bigger enclosure. ;)

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I meant monitors under 4ft, the enclosure could be bigger than that. like... 6ft wide enclosure would be the biggest id want to get (guesstimate)

im bad at judging a monitors size due to the tail length...

The thing about monitors is that even the smallest ones need quite a bit of space to thrive.

Blue Spotted Timors are really cool.
Ackies aren't too bad either.
Tegus make awesome pets, and I will be getting one sometime this year.

Just choose whatever you feel you can take care of its entire life. Like stated before, please do your research. Monitors do have huge appetites and love a variety of different things. Also sometimes cage requirements can get costly (substrate, enclosure size, lighting, heating, etc.). So make sure you have the money to get everything for the monitor and fulfill its needs for the rest of its life.

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Originally Posted by CoolioTiffany

Blue Spotted Timors are really cool.
Ackies aren't too bad either.
Tegus make awesome pets, and I will be getting one sometime this year.

Just choose whatever you feel you can take care of its entire life. Like stated before, please do your research. Monitors do have huge appetites and love a variety of different things. Also sometimes cage requirements can get costly (substrate, enclosure size, lighting, heating, etc.). So make sure you have the money to get everything for the monitor and fulfill its needs for the rest of its life.

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Yeah i saw the blue ones, and yellow. Id probably just get a normal one though because its just a faint blue and I dont think its worth the extra cost...

Tegus are alright, i think they get a bit bigger then i would want though (at least some of the ones ive seen) and they seem more sluggish then monitors?

Yep. Hopefully ill be able to build my own enclosures eventually but... pretty much all of the stuff im looking to get has to wait becuase i have a bunch of college to go through, and unless i can find a good apartment in a year or two I wont be getting anything for a while.

With all due respect, the jump from a pet as easy to take care of as a ball python to a monitor is no comparison. Yes, adult Iguana's can be a handful from what I've heard but still a long way off; how long have you had yours?.

I suggest you do a ton a research, both here and on the many other monitor specific forums available. In the long run, it will help you make the most informed choice for yourself and the future of the monitor you choose. If you are questioning the ability to give it the enclosure it needs then perhaps a smaller monitor, although not what you think you want, is more in line with what you can actually accommodate. Monitors don't lay around like snakes & Iguanas, when they are active, they need their space.

I went from breeding Red tailed boas and Burmese pythons to my monitor and there's just no comparison. I don't consider myself an expert by any means but I did do a lot of research and suggest you do the same, the results will be very rewarding.

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Originally Posted by Nadamamasboy

With all due respect, the jump from a pet as easy to take care of as a ball python to a monitor is no comparison. Yes, adult Iguana's can be a handful from what I've heard but still a long way off; how long have you had yours?.

I suggest you do a ton a research, both here and on the many other monitor specific forums available. In the long run, it will help you make the most informed choice for yourself and the future of the monitor you choose. If you are questioning the ability to give it the enclosure it needs then perhaps a smaller monitor, although not what you think you want, is more in line with what you can actually accommodate. Monitors don't lay around like snakes & Iguanas, when they are active, they need their space.

I went from breeding Red tailed boas and Burmese pythons to my monitor and there's just no comparison. I don't consider myself an expert by any means but I did do a lot of research and suggest you do the same, the results will be very rewarding.

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No offence taken, I know that. Ball pythons basically require ZERO care, im very aware of that, and thats why i love em!

Ive taken care of our green iguana, it is supposed to be my brothers but I had to teach him everything, and take care of it because he is/was to lazy/immature... Adults would be easier to care for i think, because when theyre young is when you have to start bonding with them and stuff so they are docile when they are bigger.

Not sure how long weve had him, under a year. We got him in very bad condition (it was pretty much a rescue) from some person who couldnt take care of him anymore, and seemed to have STOPPED taking care of him... He wouldnt eat for the longest time and was very skinny and unhealthy.

and yeah i can see that theyre alot more active. I like that about them, they dont just sit there (why i dont like tegus as much). I mean, i have no idea what my living conditions will be once im able to get one. I could build a enclosure no problem, but where ever im living at the time idk if ill be able to keep such large enclosures there, or where ever im at. (going off to college in august, and plan for at least 4 years, possibly 8 or more, to become a vet)

If you are going to college for 4-8 years, don't bother with a monitor. Or tegu. I don't know where you got the idea that tegus are lazy - they get that way when kept in tiny enclosures, however. I know a varanid enthusiast who keeps his ackies in a 10x10x6 foot enclosure and he thinks it's too small. With college and probably working as well, you will not have the spare time available to properly care for a monitor.

A 6x3x3 foot enclosure is the smallest enclosure size I could recommend for a monitor, and that would be for ackies, not dumerilii or doreanus or any of the other midsized ones.

Stick to your studies and do your research on varanids and get one when you become a vet. You and the lizard will be much better off then. Read my sig...

Chris

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Originally Posted by mumps

If you are going to college for 4-8 years, don't bother with a monitor. Or tegu. I don't know where you got the idea that tegus are lazy - they get that way when kept in tiny enclosures, however. I know a varanid enthusiast who keeps his ackies in a 10x10x6 foot enclosure and he thinks it's too small. With college and probably working as well, you will not have the spare time available to properly care for a monitor.

A 6x3x3 foot enclosure is the smallest enclosure size I could recommend for a monitor, and that would be for ackies, not dumerilii or doreanus or any of the other midsized ones.

Stick to your studies and do your research on varanids and get one when you become a vet. You and the lizard will be much better off then. Read my sig...

Chris

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do you own ackies?

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Originally Posted by suzuki4life

do you own ackies?

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Yup. 1.2 in a 6x3...

Chris

Goodluck with pre-vet. If you dont mind me asking, what school are you going to for it? Im also attending college next year for the pre-vet program at a SUNY school then if all goes well, transfering to Cornell after 4 years of undergrad.

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Originally Posted by mumps

Yup. 1.2 in a 6x3...

Chris

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pics of your cage?

Ackies are going to be your only choice. Anything else and you're going to need a much larger enclosure. I bred red and yellow ackies for some time. Great pets. Great "beginner" monitor. However there is much more to keeping monitors than Ball Pythons.

Good Luck!
Jim Smith

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Originally Posted by mumps

If you are going to college for 4-8 years, don't bother with a monitor. Or tegu. I don't know where you got the idea that tegus are lazy - they get that way when kept in tiny enclosures, however. I know a varanid enthusiast who keeps his ackies in a 10x10x6 foot enclosure and he thinks it's too small. With college and probably working as well, you will not have the spare time available to properly care for a monitor.

A 6x3x3 foot enclosure is the smallest enclosure size I could recommend for a monitor, and that would be for ackies, not dumerilii or doreanus or any of the other midsized ones.

Stick to your studies and do your research on varanids and get one when you become a vet. You and the lizard will be much better off then. Read my sig...

Chris

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Yeah I probably cant get anything until im out of college but im sure it wont be that long of a wait really. Highschool flew by, im hoping college will too :D
and IDK tegus just seem bulkier and like they would be less active.

10x10x6 is huge lol, but i guess it depends on how many you have...

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Originally Posted by redstormlax12

Goodluck with pre-vet. If you dont mind me asking, what school are you going to for it? Im also attending college next year for the pre-vet program at a SUNY school then if all goes well, transfering to Cornell after 4 years of undergrad.

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thanks! and you to :gj: I hope i dont need it. lol. im expecting it to be really hard though. Well, im probably going to major in zoology first, at kent state then im not sure but they have a pre vet program, i think you can only do it after you get your bachelors, and then i think Ohio state U is the only actual veterinary school in ohio so i think I have to go there eventually.

Right now they have me down for pre-vet but i dont think i can actually take it yet? i think i have to change my major or something to zoology but thats just what ive heard. (or read)

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Originally Posted by j_h_smith

Ackies are going to be your only choice. Anything else and you're going to need a much larger enclosure. I bred red and yellow ackies for some time. Great pets. Great "beginner" monitor. However there is much more to keeping monitors than Ball Pythons.

Good Luck!
Jim Smith

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Thanks

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Originally Posted by I<3Dreamsicles

lol.... ive been looking for different monitors, so far ive only come across ackie monitors, which might be ok, depending on the size. I just read that red ackies get 24-30" and i think 30" would be a good size. (though im not sure because idk how much of that is tail length) also read that red ackies cost more than yellows?

are there any other monitors that dont get huge. (over 4 ft?/ huge enclosure requrements) but are larger than ackies?

oh yeah... and im also looking for a "beginner" model. LOL. i think a sav would probably be to big. at least for now...

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A good estimate is to assume that half of the length is tail, however, Water monitors, Nile monitors, and tree monitors have longer tails.

Ackie monitors are great starter monitors usually only getting to 1 1/2 ft. to 2 ft. in length.

Savannah monitors are good, as long as you handle them from a young age, they will usually reach about 4 ft. in length.

I will make you a small list of monitors that stay relatively small, but it will not be in order, just what I can come up with off of the top of my head. Also, not all are going to be beginners, so please research it before making a decision. Any how, here is a list:

Peacock monitor- About 2ft.
Ridge tail/ Ackie monitor- 1 1/2-2ft.
Black tree monitor- 3-4ft.
Golden spotted- tree monitor- Around 3ft.
Short tailed monitor- About 10in.
Mangrove monitor- 3 1/2-4ft.
Peach throat monitor- About 3ft.
Green tree monitor- About 3ft.
Timor monitor- 2 1/2-4ft.
Black headed monitor- About 2 1/2ft.
Blue tree monitor- About 3ft.
Blue tailed monitor- About 4ft.

Tegu!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Originally Posted by bsash

A good estimate is to assume that half of the length is tail, however, Water monitors, Nile monitors, and tree monitors have longer tails.

Ackie monitors are great starter monitors usually only getting to 1 1/2 ft. to 2 ft. in length.

Savannah monitors are good, as long as you handle them from a young age, they will usually reach about 4 ft. in length.

I will make you a small list of monitors that stay relatively small, but it will not be in order, just what I can come up with off of the top of my head. Also, not all are going to be beginners, so please research it before making a decision. Any how, here is a list:

Peacock monitor- About 2ft.
Ridge tail/ Ackie monitor- 1 1/2-2ft.
Black tree monitor- 3-4ft.
Golden spotted- tree monitor- Around 3ft.
Short tailed monitor- About 10in.
Mangrove monitor- 3 1/2-4ft.
Peach throat monitor- About 3ft.
Green tree monitor- About 3ft.
Timor monitor- 2 1/2-4ft.
Black headed monitor- About 2 1/2ft.
Blue tree monitor- About 3ft.
Blue tailed monitor- About 4ft.

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I really like timor monitors

The blue tree monitors look awesome but im guessing theyre just as, or more expensive than a green tree monitor.

Tegus are pretty cool too, I kinda like monitors more though. But theyre both cool.

Blue tree monitors and Peach throat monitors are my favorite out of the little guys.

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Originally Posted by bsash

A good estimate is to assume that half of the length is tail, however, Water monitors, Nile monitors, and tree monitors have longer tails.

Ackie monitors are great starter monitors usually only getting to 1 1/2 ft. to 2 ft. in length.

Savannah monitors are good, as long as you handle them from a young age, they will usually reach about 4 ft. in length.

I will make you a small list of monitors that stay relatively small, but it will not be in order, just what I can come up with off of the top of my head. Also, not all are going to be beginners, so please research it before making a decision. Any how, here is a list:

Peacock monitor- About 2ft.
Ridge tail/ Ackie monitor- 1 1/2-2ft.
Black tree monitor- 3-4ft.
Golden spotted- tree monitor- Around 3ft.
Short tailed monitor- About 10in.
Mangrove monitor- 3 1/2-4ft.
Peach throat monitor- About 3ft.
Green tree monitor- About 3ft.
Timor monitor- 2 1/2-4ft.
Black headed monitor- About 2 1/2ft.
Blue tree monitor- About 3ft.
Blue tailed monitor- About 4ft.

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This all gave me a good laugh.

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Originally Posted by bsash

A good estimate is to assume that half of the length is tail, however, Water monitors, Nile monitors, and tree monitors have longer tails.

Ackie monitors are great starter monitors usually only getting to 1 1/2 ft. to 2 ft. in length.

Savannah monitors are good, as long as you handle them from a young age, they will usually reach about 4 ft. in length.

I will make you a small list of monitors that stay relatively small, but it will not be in order, just what I can come up with off of the top of my head. Also, not all are going to be beginners, so please research it before making a decision. Any how, here is a list:

Peacock monitor- About 2ft.
Ridge tail/ Ackie monitor- 1 1/2-2ft.
Black tree monitor- 3-4ft.
Golden spotted- tree monitor- Around 3ft.
Short tailed monitor- About 10in.
Mangrove monitor- 3 1/2-4ft.
Peach throat monitor- About 3ft.
Green tree monitor- About 3ft.
Timor monitor- 2 1/2-4ft.
Black headed monitor- About 2 1/2ft.
Blue tree monitor- About 3ft.
Blue tailed monitor- About 4ft.

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I thought we were talking about beginner monitors......you got a lot of high-maintenance nervous captives on that list.

Tristis and ackies stay small and are relatively easy (as far as monitors go) to take care of.

I love tegu's Dont own one because I cant provide size requirements. I have friends that have a few, awesome temperment. Maybe when the house cats life span is up I can kinda have a room I can set up a cage that size in..... T

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Originally Posted by allergenic

This all gave me a good laugh.

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Could I ask why this would give you a good laugh?

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Originally Posted by Skiploder

I thought we were talking about beginner monitors......you got a lot of high-maintenance nervous captives on that list.

Tristis and ackies stay small and are relatively easy (as far as monitors go) to take care of.

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I did say that not all are beginner monitors, and I also did say to do a lot of research before choosing one. I agreed to write a small list of decently sized monitors, not a whole care sheet.