Ackie monitors

[slayer]

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Firs question is about Starting Enclosure.
1.) I have 40 gallon breeder tank sitting empty.... Is that gonna be sufficient as starting enclosure for single or couple baby or juvenile Animals or i should consider something Bigger...

............................... Thats should be fine for a pair of juvies. Make sure you replace/modify the top so its solid and holds the all important heat and humidity in.

2.) When I Should switch to bigger enclosure and with way i should go.. more ground space or more highs ??

.................. I would personally move them to their adult enclosure after 4 months but a 40 breeder could last for maybe 6-8. Give them as big an enclosure as you can. Ackies are very active and curious monitors that will use every square inch of space you provide them.

3.) About bedding... Is sand and dirt mix really the best and necessary or can i go with different bedding... I was thinking about Douglas fir bark... is great for burrowing looks nice and is easy for spot cleaning.. can i use it ??

...................... You could use it but I doubt the Ackies would. Ackies like sandy, breathable soil with very little organic matter in it. Id go with a mix/soil that replicates that as best as possible.
Heres a couple of burrow/dirt pics

4.) About lighting.. I was thinking about ceramic heaters as main heating source. is UVA or UVB necessary for that specie ??

................... I dont like CHE and would never use them with any animal again (a few bad experiences in the past) personally I use 45 watt halogen floods and 60 watt incandescent bulbs for all my lighting/heating.
As far as UV radiation, its not needed as long as they are getting sufficient dietary D3 and heat.

5.) Feeding... What is start diet for that animals.. How much and How often they eat.. how they diet change as they age...

.................. Alot of bugs with some rodents.
With my Ackies there is always something to eat at all times in their enclosure.

6.) i herd that some people give they monitors bath.. do you give you ackie bath if yes what kid of benefit animals have from that.

............................ Nope.

7.) Humidity... I know that Timors require high one.. from what i read Ackies are from drier part of Australia... what level of humidity is optimal for them...

...................... The general humidity level of the air above the soil line in my setups is about 50-75%. Obviously the humidity in their burrows is much higher.

8.) Is a difference between husbandry/behavior and size of Yellow and Red Ackies ??

..................... Reds are said to be a bit nippier and larger then Yellows. Husbandry is the same.

9.) And last one what is a price of baby or juvie animal right now.. and when You are able determine sex of animal if i wanna buy pair in the future.

.......................... Ive seen yellows advertised anywhere from $150-$225 each. Reds $250-$350 each. There is no way to reliably sex young animals. Best advice if you seek a pair if but a group and raise them up.

I know that is not such a think as beginner monitor.. but can you recommend any other small monitor specie beside Ackie or Timor???

...................... Kimberly Rocks and Tristis are both readably available C.B.B. Odatria that make good captives. Ackies are still the best thought