Rodent feeding lizard

To start... I am doing intial research.
I googled and searched the forum. But any mention of rodent took me to snakes.

I am interested in getting a lizard at some point in the future. I would like a larger one. And one that eats rodents as a primary diet.

Reasons for this are that I already breed asfs for my bps and have easy access to feed. I want to be able to provide the best possible care.

I plan on getting a monitor of some kind at some point but not yet.

With that in mind. Im not looking for an idiot proof starter lizard. Id like something that offers a bit of a challenge.

Frankly im not even sure if there are rodent only lizards out there. Making an assumption on the matter.

Google takes me to various forums with ppl mentioning monitors eating rats amd mice only.. Which i know is untrue. I trust the knowledge base on here and would like some suggestions.

ive never heard of this type of lizard but i would got wit a monitor or tegu i meant rodent isnt there primary but atleast u can feed them a partial rodent diet a few times a week

Yeh i wasnt sure if they even exsisted. I figured i might get a monitor as closest to my wants.. Not sure if im ready for one yet

i want a sav monitor but the day i bring one home ill be looking for a new home for my self me and the sav so i got a beardie as my "big" pet lizard

If I were you I would go with something like an Asian Water Monitor (depending on what care level you want). A friend of mine has one and he is on a diet of various insects, rodents and ground turkey. Eats like a champ and you never have to worry about wasting a rat if one of your snakes decides not to tkae a meal. =)

Yeh thats true. I know its a ways in the future. Hoping to find the perfect niche lizard. But a monitor is on my mind.

I hear yah. Monitors and Tegus need huge enclosures so that has been a main reason I have not got one. It would take too much space out of my snake room... :)

Yeh i have a spot i could build one. Not an issue. Just not ready to care for it.. And ive seen too many ppl get absolutly berated over monitors thus i keep reiterating im not ready hahaha.

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Originally Posted by el8ch

I hear yah. Monitors and Tegus need huge enclosures so that has been a main reason I have not got one. It would take too much space out of my snake room... :)

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ii got plenty of room but i got a gf that hates anything thats not a fish dog or cat

I have a nile monitor that we feed primarily rodents. We also feed ground turkey, beef and deer; roaches, beef liver and other raw meats. He is moody, temperamental, and a general pain in the rear. I wouldn't have him any other way though.

sent from my EVO

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Originally Posted by deto360

ii got plenty of room but i got a gf that hates anything thats not a fish dog or cat

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Haha. Yeh i got lucky with my ex. She wasnt interested in my snakes but she didnt mind them.. Even picked up my first breeder asfs and transported them for me.

Yeh ive heard rodents lead to liver issues later in life considerinf in the wild it only accounts for 2% of their diet.

Pretty sure gilas can be on a rodent diet to answer your question. not suggesting you go out and get a gila though lol.

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Originally Posted by djansen

Pretty sure gilas can be on a rodent diet to answer your question. not suggesting you go out and get a gila though lol.

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Yeah I have heard they can eat a diet of Rodents, Small mammals and developing eggs.

Aren't they venomous though??

Venon shmenom... No seriously though.. NOT gonna happen

yeah gila's are venomous, im not really sure how though, but heres what wikipedia says: "Venom is produced in modified salivary glands in the Gila monster's lower jaw, unlike snakes, whose venom is produced in the upper jaw.[12] The Gila monster lacks the musculature to forcibly inject the venom; instead, the venom is propelled from the gland to the tooth by chewing. Capillary action brings the venom out of the tooth and into the victim". so theres that, if space wasnt an issue to me and i had a good supplie of rats and such, i would get a crocodile monitor, theyre huge and they look like almost no other lizard

gilas are only venomous if u get bit:rolleye2: i think the monitor is the best option i mean if u get bit u bleed maybe lose some skin and a stich or 2 and with gilas there is always that wha if i get bit thing not worth it imo

A croc monitor is what i need
"Within its natural habitat, the Salvadori monitor feeds mostly on carrion and other small reptiles; but outside of its habitat as a pet it may eat mice, rats and fowl."

Too bad there illegal here.. And a wee bit big

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Originally Posted by Simplex

A croc monitor is what i need
"Within its natural habitat, the Salvadori monitor feeds mostly on carrion and other small reptiles; but outside of its habitat as a pet it may eat mice, rats and fowl."

Too bad there illegal here.. And a wee bit big

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yeah the are big, and theyre illegal here too which sucks

I wouldn't shrug off a bit from a croc monitor, from what I understand they have a NASTY bite.

that makes sense since their so huge, you could always get a komodo lol