Water Monitor Advice

[darmok]

Hello,
just found this forum when I was doing a google search on water monitor info. I just got a new juvenile, maybe a few months old and about a foot long. I was looking for advice from anyone who has this type of lizard or knows about them. I've had monitors before, (all savannah monitors for the past 12 years) and I know how big this water monitor will get. Right now he's in a 20 gallon tank. He's got his water dish, hide box, heat lamp w/ a 100 watt bulb that also does uva/uvb. The place I got him from says they know somebody that builds enclosures so that's what I'll do down the line. Right now in the house we've got the water monitor, a baby savannah in a 40 breeder tank, 2 amazon parrots(1 blue front and 1 blue crown), 2 cockatiels, and a husky. As I said just looking for general info. How fast will he grow, diet advice, handling advice and husbandry.
Thank you in advance.

[Nick144]

How fast will he grow

Well, I have no monitor experience at all but I can tell you this...It's going to grow FAST.

[darmok]

Update.
I just got him 2 dozen crickets but he doesn't seem interested in eating them. My 1st savannah didn't eat right away either so that doesn't worry me but what does is that I lost a baby savannah when I bought him some crickets(not from the usual place I go to) and after eating 2 he didn't go for anymore. The ones left over seemed to have been bothering him. Shortly after that I noticed that he was sluggish, almost seemed paralyzed on one side. Shortly after that he died. Some people were saying maybe the crickets were bad but others said they may have stung him and caused him all sorts of problems. If the water monitor doesn't eat the crickets by tomorrow should I be concerned? Should I take them out of the cage?

[daniel1983]

The water monitor is stressed. Leave it alone and make sure your husbandry is correct. Let it settle in, and you should see an improvement in appetite.

Here is a good site for monitor info....browse around:
http://www.proexotics.com/QUICKCARE_...TORS_1-08.html

That 20 gallon tank is too small for a foot long reptile.....get it into something bigger. If the water is taken care of properly, it could easily get over 6 ft. long in a years time. You will need a room-sized enclosure to house an adult water monitor properly.

....and crickets don't sting.....they do bite though.

The problem is the conditions you are providing. Provide for the animal properly and you should have nothing to be concerned over......

...and I would suggest researching care BEFORE you actually purchase the animal next time.

[darmok]

Well, it's been a week now and the little guy hasn't eaten. My 1st savannah took a while to adjust so I'm not overly concerned and I spoke to a vet yesterday who said to give it a few more days. The monitor has enough heat, water to soak in and a very good hide spot. I haven't interacted w/ him as far as handling so as not to stress him out. I've offered crickets and worms but so far nothing. Any suggestions on food or at what point I should be worried.
I should also note that he is active, moves around the tank, anjoys a soak and like to bask under the lamp.

[wilomn]

If it's an import, it's got worms. Do NOT wait to take it in to the vet, go now.

Try goldfish. Also pinky mice.

Pics of the lizard and its setup would help too.

[darmok]

Why do you say he's got worms? Do a lot of imported waters come w/ worms?

[Royal_Rodents]

Why do you say he's got worms? Do a lot of imported waters come w/ worms?

yea cause bascially imports are farm raised, or wild caught.

Farm raised animals are generally hatched out and then put into a enclourse with the rest of thier hacthing mates. So if one get sick they all do. Then they are shipped out to America with these problems re-sold to private indivduals such as you.

Wild caught animals could have pre existing conditions. that came with your animal when you bought it.

[darmok]

Update. I bought some small goldfish today and put them in his dish, so far nothing. If he's still not eating by next week then I'm taking him to the vet.

[dr del]

Hi,

You need to upoload those pictures - either to your gallery on this site or to a hosting site such as image shack.

I have zero experience of monitors however so can't help you there I'm afraid.


dr del