Varanus sp. "samarensis" from Philippines

[Najakeeper]

I have been researching for a large pet lizard since about 2003 but I have never had the space and/or time for one due to my venomous hobby.


Well, since I had to "mostly" give up on venomous (Related thread here) my collection got reduced to 1/3 of it's former size and on top of that I have this huge cage that I prepared for the King Cobra, I went for it.


The animal I got is a male Philippine Water Monitor. It is from the Varanus salvator complex but taxonomy here is a mess so some call it Varanus cummingi, others Varanus samarensis etc. Regardless of what he is, this is a captive bred male and one of the two first legal imports to Europe. I didn't get the female as I only have space and time for one.


Captive bred large monitors are very nice animals to work with as due to their intelligence, they get "tame" very easily. Normally they start skittish but get more docile with daily interaction however this boy already started quite docile and I hand feed him so he is super comfortable with me as you can see in the photos (middle of the day, animal quite warm.)


This is a different mindset from snakes as they require more care. Almost daily feeding, daily interaction, keeping an intelligent and curious animal entertained etc. I think this is something that can grow up with my family...


Let's see...

[Najakeeper]

Here is a video:

[Prognathodon]

He's a handsome little guy!


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[wibihihi]

he is wonderfull

i've seen a lot varanus cumingi here in Indonesia, but your boy sure is nice

that yellow head is on fire

[Najakeeper]

he is wonderfull

i've seen a lot varanus cumingi here in Indonesia, but your boy sure is nice

that yellow head is on fire

Yeah, I think he is going to turn out to be very yellow as he also has thick yellow bands covering his body.

I am planning to name him Leyte but am open to suggestions .

[Najakeeper]

Here is a taming video:

[Najakeeper]

So much progress with this guy...






He is eating great as most monitors do but he is super friendly as long as you don't have jerky movements, climbs on you when you open the cage door etc. I am amazed with the progress we had with daily interaction.


I have to be away for 7 days, let's see how he reacts when I come back...

[Najakeeper]

The monitor lizard I have is getting tamer and more beautiful everyday. He is in shed now but still looks amazing after a bath:

[Najakeeper]

Here is a roach feeding video:



These dudes are so agile!

[Fraido]

He is definitely one handsome man.

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