starting research for monitor/ tegu

So I am extreemly interested in getting either a savana monitor or a columbian tegu and have started my research. I know that the enclosure for these animals is quite large but what is the recomended size for them? I know that they need to beable to burrow down but is it preferable to build the burrow yourself or just let him do it? lots of questions and I dont have tons of time to research at home due to lack of internet and phone reception where I live but I have my lunch hour and the ability to print from work. thanks.

research away....

Can't help with the Tegu, not my cup o tea.

hit up http://www.savannahmonitor.net

everything you want to know about Savannah Monitors.

tegutalk.com

A good place to start.

And no matter your decision, let them make their own burrows ;)

Chris

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Originally Posted by mumps

tegutalk.com

A good place to start.

And no matter your decision, let them make their own burrows ;)

Chris

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Glad you said that Chris.

When I first got my Savannah Monitors, I had put in 2 "artificial" burrows.

The lizards have backfilled them so perfectly, that I defy anyone to point out where they were, without a before and after photo to compare.

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Originally Posted by infernalis

Glad you said that Chris.

When I first got my Savannah Monitors, I had put in 2 "artificial" burrows.

The lizards have backfilled them so perfectly, that I defy anyone to point out where they were, without a before and after photo to compare.

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lol good to know.

Both different, tegus will be a little cooler, little less space(not by much). I would say look at infernalis site, very well put together. Also read through his thread here http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...nnah-Monitors) if you have not already. And as stated above me, they build their own, but deep substrate is needed. The standard minimum you will hear is 6*3 for tegus, 8*4 for savannahs, but that can end up being to small. Just know it will be big.

Check out pro exotics. http://www.proexotics.com/FAQ2.html They have a lot of experience with monitors, and the faq is packed with info.

Last thing, I do not know if you know this, but columbians and argentines are different and behave differently as well. They can both become "tame" but columbians generally need more work, and the argentines usually become more mellow.

So you don't have a ton of time to research, but you want to own a pet like a varanid? I think your best bet is to wait until you have time to research, as the amount of time building the enclosure, taking care of the animal, etc- is going to dwarf the amount of time you had to spend researching something as simple as cage size and burrowing.

Op didnt say they dont hqve enough timevl to research they said they dont have internet at home so s/he is wanting websites to print info off of from work to be able to research.

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Originally Posted by Ogre

I dont have tons of time to research <b>at home </b>due to lack of internet and phone reception where I live but I have my lunch hour and the ability to print from work. thanks.

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MMreptiles, i think you missed the part about not being able to research at home... Not everyone has internet at their homes yet, that doesnt mean they can't build a proper enclosure or take the time to care for a new monitor. In fact, if I didnt have sites like this and facebook, I'd get much more done around the house :)

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Originally Posted by jbean7916

MMreptiles, i think you missed the part about not being able to research at home... Not everyone has internet at their homes yet, that doesnt mean they can't build a proper enclosure or take the time to care for a new monitor. In fact, if I didnt have sites like this and facebook, I'd get much more done around the house :)

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These things are very basic requirements, if the OP can't find simple requirements like this- how will he find the advanced stuff? Monitors are not about hand holding, monitors are for serious keepers with info and time, and resources.

Although, I hate to ask- why don't you have internet? I can think of many reasons, but if the reason is money- you can't afford a monitor if you can't afford internet. ;)

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Originally Posted by MMReptiles

These things are very basic requirements, if the OP can't find simple requirements like this- how will he find the advanced stuff? Monitors are not about hand holding, monitors are for serious keepers with info and time, and resources.

Although, I hate to ask- why don't you have internet? I can think of many reasons, but if the reason is money- you can't afford a monitor if you can't afford internet. ;)

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My boyfriend used to live on the outskirts of town on a ranch. Cable did not reach out there. He didn't have internet for years until he moved into a city a year ago. Even in this age and time, I can see how some people don't have internet.

The OP sounds like he's on the right track with wanting to research about potential animals. It just looks like he needs a boost in the right direction.


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I know people that make 3 figure salaries that don't have internet, they live in older homes, don't want it etc.

Also location, even just outside of Wilmington in NC, no internet, and I spend my summers there. And if the op just devotes time when resources are available I don't see how that plays a role in not being able to keep a varanid/ tegu. There are plenty of reasons why these animals should be taken seriously, and not purchased by many people, but internet access is not one of them.

yeah I want the internet at home but so far its been hard I dont like comcast and I live next to a hill so the dish is out and convicing my fiance to actually choose one is a pain lol. it has nothing to do with cost it has to do with prefference. any ways Im looking into the future about a year or so in advance I will have moved in to a home that Im looking at buying by then and information gathering will be over at that point. I just want to make sure that when I move I am able to set his 'house' up the way it needs to be. Im going to build a heated 'shop' more like an detatched office that he will live in during the winter and the colder parts of the year when Im at work and such. I dont know if that is correct I have heard of people dedicating rooms to their tegus and my fiance isnt too hot on that idea so hence the 'shop'.

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Originally Posted by 350z

There are plenty of reasons why these animals should be taken seriously, and not purchased by many people, but internet access is not one of them.

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Love that statement. I live way out in the sticks, we didn't have cable most of my life.. dialup out here is painful to use.

Now we have cable, and it's still slower than a turtle on Xanax.. but I get by.

Thank you for those who understood my statement, I can be rather confusing when Im rambling which is really all I ever do. I think I will most likely be going with a tegu, I like the coloring and I will be able to sell the gf on that easier, lol. any ways like I said before this is at least a year into the future if not longer I just what to be able to care for it properly.

I have a Columbian Tegu, thankfully he has done really well with taming, it takes a lot if dedication and time. We just finished building a 6x3x3 for our Achilles, he's still small but lives his room to run around in. we have him in Cyprus mulch which he loves to burrow in and it is highly suggested to have a separate feeding tank (I take mine to the bathroom for roaming/bonding time) to limit any possibly substrate being eaten. another forum is thetegu which has some excellent people on it. Have fun with the research!

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Originally Posted by Ogre

Thank you for those who understood my statement, I can be rather confusing when Im rambling which is really all I ever do. I think I will most likely be going with a tegu, I like the coloring and I will be able to sell the gf on that easier, lol. any ways like I said before this is at least a year into the future if not longer I just what to be able to care for it properly.

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That right there won my respect instantly. Countless days of trying to help people who dove in first, then asked later grates on my nerves.