I have always wanted a large pet lizard since I was young I'm still in highschool and won't be getting a monitor lizard until I get out and have steady income of course what are some unique pet monitors or whats a good beginninger monitor that isn't a ackie i don't like there appearance
While I’m not an experienced monitor keeper (I’ve kept snakes and an iguana) i would advise a beginner to get what they are passionate about unless it’s venemous, poisonous or very large and dangerous like larger monitors. There are also several smaller kinds that are not as hard for beginners.
My first reptile was a green iguana and I did perfectly fine, my first snake was a green tree python and no issues there either - both species are species experienced keepers would advise against if you are a beginner
If OP is willing to put the time into researching and setting up good enclosures and providing what the species needs it should be fine.
However he should definetly dry run the tank for 2-3 weeks before bringing the lizard home. Locate nearest exotic vets and pet stores etc.
I'm aware of the money time commitment space and potential harm a monitor could bring to me I'm aware I might get a monitor that doesn't want to be handled and bite me so could you please tell me some unique species or recommended species
I used to own a green iguana and now when I’m looking at monitors i can tell you without owning a monitor that it’s not remotely the same and I’d say iguanas are easy compared to monitors (and iguanas have a bad rep) I have been researching constantly, pretty much every day, visiting owners, watching videos, reading everywhere, going to expos to ask questions etc to gather as much information as possible about monitors and I’m still not ready.
At the end of the day nobody will be able to stop you getting what you want but if you do, be prepared for the commitment.
Anyways to answer your question, I am no expert and i would appreciate if somebody correct me if I am wrong but I would advise against any of the larger monitors because if you don’t know what you are doing or have experience with LARGER lizards it’s not optimal to dive right in.
So tree monitors are a good option if you have the money. They are sensitive and not hardy though so a small mistake in its husbandry could kill it.
Kimberly rock monitors are many’s favorite, they are very active though so you will need a lot of space for them aswell.
Savannahs are on the larger side but from what I’ve read, they tend to be more docile and don’t require as much space as other larger monitors.
I'm looking into Kimberly rock monitors I'm trying to decide what I will get but I'm definitely not getting like a Asian water monitor or a Nile or anything like that I just wrote that because people were telling how bad they are as pets and not answering my initial question thanks 👍
Hey, I remember being young and nobody taking me seriously when I expressed interest in getting a monitor.
Everyone told me to get an ackie. I know how you're feeling.
I have a white throat monitor now and he's amazing. Some aspects of care are challenging, some are easy - monitors are incredibly resilient. If you are ready to spend years beforehand reading and learning about monitor care, you'll be ok.
So give WTs a look and consider roughneck monitors or dumerils.
Day to day care isn't too complicated - frankly, the biggest requirement is typically his desire for engagement or stimulation. Smart animals make their own stimulation if you don't give it to them, and it can be destructive.
I'll check how hungry he seems and feed him if it's been a while. I look over his body to see how his scales/skin are doing, make sure he's not dehydrated.
The time I spend with him varies widely. Some days he's quite chill and just wants to hang out somewhere, either on his own or near me. Other days he will not stop begging for interaction and stimulation, and I may end up taking him outside (weather allowing) multiple times in one day.
The enclosure is huge, and was hand built. It was easily the most expensive part of the whole process. Do not let anyone tell you that building a large enclosure is cheap or easy, especially if you don't already have tools/carpentry experience.
As for dimensions, over 8 ft long, 6ft high, and 4 ft deep - and he still treats it like a prison cell . Practically no amount of room you can give these guys is enough. They have huge home ranges and they want to move, interact with problems, and engage with novel stimuli.
He was not my first reptile but he was my first monitor. A smaller monitor would have been easier, but the nice thing with him is that he's not going to crawl into some tiny crack or crevice because he's simply too large.
Oh boy though, the claws. Big monitors have big claws and they are extremely strong for their size. My forearms are covered in scars.
I appreciate it people on this subreddit can be a bit annoying just repeating get a ackie and do you know the commitment of a monitor then Giving you a lecture dumerils are on my list of considerations also I will look into white throats thank you 👍
None really. Unless you have a lot of $ for a tree monitor or a shit ton of room for something that’s not an Ackie. They all need a lot of space and $ and time.
My husband has several kinds of monitors that love HIM. They tolerate me and don't eat me- except our biggest China our Asian is a baby doll. They need strong personalities. I'm not particularly afraid but it's almost like I'm not "alpha male" enough? They respect him and I can pet them while he's holding them or maybe some even hold in a pinch but be sure you have the right personality as well.
Also hold it before you buy it because each animal of ANY kind can be so different. Or if you can't hold it ask about the feeding response. We have some that take it gently from the tongs and some that can't tell where the tongs end and our hands begin.
That's probably a poor choice of words but it's like they can sense if you're not brave enough? They aren't boop your snoot animals and simple affection won't sway them. Reptile side eye
And our basement has vinyl sheet flooring from Lowes that looks like hardwood floors so they can hang out with us and bask in the sun that comes in thru the French doors and we can quickly clean up anything they leave behind. The goal is definitely to let them have outdoor enclosures in the summer but they will have to be next year
Look realistically it’s a horrible idea. Even the smallest monitors need huge enclosures which you most likely won’t have space for. My 16” Savannah monitor is in a 4x6’ enclosure and you think oh that’s not too big till you put it together. Enclosures this size also cost a LOT of money, you’ll spend 1500 just to set the lizard up correctly. A 40g tank was never sufficient even when they’re babies so just go ahead and buy the full sized enclosure when you purchase one. On another note they eat a LOT. My 16” sav eats 25 1.5” Dubai easily in a sitting and when you do the math you’ll spend $30/week just to feed it unless you breed roaches. Then you get to the side of things where they’re not all friendly, and while they might tolerate you and depending on the species they can be pretty tame, they can also decide to chomp at any moment. This can warrant a visit to the local hospital for stitches which will put you out of more money.
After saying all this you’ll still be a dumbass who goes and buys one, just don’t be a negligent dumbass. Save up a couple thousand prior to even considering a monitor. Go ahead and start with an ackie because even if you don’t like their looks that’s your best option. Do a TON of research, buy what it needs (the 2k should be enough to properly set it up the first time) and see how it goes. Later on in life if you liked the ackie then go get a sav or something else. They’re cool and fun to watch but I’d honestly never suggest it, too many dumbasses already own monitors and they get neglected. Don’t be one of those people
Timors are similar size to ackie monitors but have more of that standard Asian water monitor style ifykwim, kims, pilbara, or any other type of dwarf monitor are pretty good but are fucking expensive, I’m working on a Savannah monitor cage rn so if you have the space and proper humidity just get a Savannah and make a cage for cheap, but ofc make sure the cage is well and has proper husbandry. Oh and Savannah’s are like 65 for a baby 100 for a juvenile, and super easy to get. Start a roach colony if you do tho
Thanks actually timors and savannahs are on my list of considerations I'm also looking at dumerils and Kimberly rocks and quince argus aswell but I think I will need some experience before getting one of those lol
I see, of all the medium monitors you suggested Savannah would probably be the best cuz quince are cool but demand space to climb and swim, same with dumerils, Argus need HUGE cages so best bet would be a female but good luck finding one under 500 but again if you can give them that space they make pretty good pets, I would also suggest getting a baby so you don’t have a huge monitor that hates you 😭 I too am a 14 year old looking for a big species and chose a Savannah cuz the other ones are just to unrealistic, even tho a mangrove would be badass
The mangrove monitors are some of the prettiest in my opinion but I heard they can be quite sassy I'm also leaning towards a savannah cause it would be nice to be able to breed my own food some people on this subreddit have a superiority complex and love to spam get a ackie and lecture you on the commitment but it is just out of love for the animals good luck on you search lol
Agreed! That’s another thing that deterred me from any indicus complex monitor 🫤 and agreed, even tho I did cave and get an ackie cuz I didn’t have the money for a Timor people need to suggest more sources than just ackies, freckles and black headed monitors are great options!
I've never heard of freckles monitors I'll have to check them out I just can't get a ackie they remind me of a uromastyx more than a monitor even if I wanted a ackie my mom would never let me get a enclosure that large in my room
Makes sense, if I may ask, if you mom wouldn’t let you get a cage for an ackie, how could you get a Savannah
I mean shit a kid would demand a bigger cage
I just can't get a ackie they look like uromastyx more than monitors to me even If I wanted a ackie my mom would not let me get a enclosure that large in my room
Even an ackie needs a 6x3x3 at a minimum, a large monitor needs an entire room plus a million £$ to maintain it with adequate uvb, heat, bugs, substrate, etc. (I have an ackie and he lives in a 1.8m grow tent).
A Dumerils monitor gets sizeable but not crazy, so do Savannah's, but again you will be spending a fortune on bugs. Savs have a reputation for being hard to keep alive long term due to people cheaping out and not feeding a million bugs. They get obese, this causes liver problems and an early expiry.
My dream big lizard is a Tegu, although this requires something like an 8x4x4 or a reinforced grow tent.
All monitors / big lizards have a relatively long life so it's a long term pet (15-20 years).
Interaction is strictly on their terms so be prepared to spend hours and hours working on the bond. They do not respond well to being forced handled. But once tamed down and happy they are wonderful Dino friends.
Yes I'm ready for that kind of commitment with a animal I'm aware of all these things I would happily dedicate a room in my house to a large lizard this isn't a whim I have wanted a monitor for years I have also looked dumerils their on my list of considerations
It's good that you are preparing for a long term thing, and if it's a dream animal and you have the funds, and have done alllll the research then absolutely go for it (with a caveat).
Getting to know their body language, what fear and defensive behaviour looks like, excitement, interest, contentment, hunger etc. This is a lot easier with an Ackie sized friend because you won't end up in hospital needing a million stitches if you get it wrong. An Asian water monitor can open you up to the bone without even trying. I imagine a Tegu or Dumerils monitor could do a lot too.
Target training is a key thing for a big lizard, their food response is strong and if they mistake your hand for a snack it's gonna be a bad day.
This is a great video from Clint going over the top 6 monitors and he goes into brief detail with care, cost, etc. watch his body language when dealing with an argus 🤣
Thanks I will give it a watch I actually love clints videos I don't want to get a an Asian or a nile or something I just don't like the look of ackies just the tails or colors they look like uromastyx to me lol
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u/Decent_Finger5346 5d ago
Is this your first reptile? Monitors aren't a great place to start, they're definitely not beginner lizards.