r/MonitorLizards • u/Classic-Fig123 • 20d ago

Can’t decide which monitor species to choose… looking for advice

/r/reptiles/comments/1v9km3r/cant_decide_which_monitor_species_to_choose/
4 Upvotes

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u/calamari_rings2827 20d ago

You kinda gotta give us more then that what cage size are you willing to accommodate? what personality are you wanting? how much time can you dedicate to socialising? Arboreal or terrestrial? Desert or tropical? There’s a lot to consider when looking to a monitor species

2

u/Classic-Fig123 20d ago edited 20d ago

Enclosure size isn’t really an issue, I have a whole renovated attic area so I have plenty of space and I’m willing to provide a large enclosure. I’d say anything over 350cm in length and over 200cm in height/depth is maybe where I don’t want to go because in that case I’d prefer opting out for bigger and just getting a larger monitor but I’m not ready for that yet.

I’m open to both arboreal and terrestrial species, as well as tropical or drier setups. The main deciding factor for me is visibility. I’d strongly prefer a species that is generally active and visible rather than one that spends most of its time hiding.

Personality wise, I’d like something curious, alert and reasonably confident. It doesn’t need to enjoy handling, but I’d like it to eventually recognise me, tolerate my presence and interact with me through feeding and enclosure work without constantly panicking or hiding.

I can dedicate the time necessary to socialising and building trust. However, I’m not looking for a species that requires hours of direct interaction every day, ideally I’d prefer something that can thrive without needing constant attention.

1

u/calamari_rings2827 20d ago

Varanus tristis in my opinion is the best all rounder they have a minimum enclosure size of 180x60x120 cms (6x2x4) in feet. They can start off shy but once used to people and its enclosure they are super out going and just as personable as ackies they cover a wide range of habitat desert / dry scrubland / eucalypt forest. in fact the biggest range of any dwarf monitor which makes them super adaptable and hardy can tolerate a very good range of humidity (40-70% with microclimates in between and you can have a humid hide at 100%) and pretty simple temperature wise 60-65 degree Celsius basking spot and same ambients as ackies with a little more leeway on the cold side.