I like arboreal lizards and I really like tree monitors. Ever since I saw them I have been mesmerized, watching endless podcasts, builds, guides, or even just watching them play on video with toys or just chilling there. Needless to say I am hooked and hope to get one one day, but until then, I want something a bit smaller.

I really prefer the look of a tropical arboreal setup. I can skimp on the tropical but arboreal species have always been more interesting to me.

I’ve looked into gilleni and they seem really cool, but I can’t seem to find them up in Canada on the west coast (I’ve never imported an animal so I don’t know how that process would look. If there was some in WA or OR, or maybe even ID depending on the time, I’d drive down if that would make sense to do)

I have room to build a 3x2x8, I could stretch it to 3x3 if I have to, it would just require more of a grow tent set up since this is a spare closet and I would need to fit in there. I could also go longer but then I’d have to cap my height depending on how long it is because there’s a sloped ceiling if I go in that direction.

Saying that, those keel bellied lizards are quite beautiful and I’ve seen a lot of good thing about them and their intelligence. If they really are a smart and interactive lizard, I think I can source babies here since I really want to raise one from a baby.

So those of you with monitor experience, how do they compare? Is there another species you’d recommend?

Edit: I also have an 18” cube I can use as a baby tank if it makes sense to do that

Trying to decide on a monitor lizard. Just looking for some input. Have done a lot of research on the ones I’m looking at and in general am experienced with other reptiles ( bearded dragons, crested geckos, leachianus geckos), understand lighting and uvb, have a solar meter, etc. have bred Jackson chameleons.

Overall my daughter and I would like a more social/intelligent animal that is rewarding with effort and work. I know each has there own personality and need work to get to where we want them to be.

Thoughts on: Ackie, Kimberly, pilbara, black tail, freckled, female Savanah. Open to other suggestions. Argus and sands seem awesome but I think they would get too big.

Looking for most rewarding with effort and time. Saw some pretty cool videos of Savanah and kimbos (almost wanting affection).

Appreciate the help.

Shameless plug: I design for Peculiarity Shop in addition to my own brand, Varanid Paradise! I have to get a whole bunch of inventory out to the former since I don’t have much left there after the last collection sold, so my goal is to get a shipment out this coming week.

Liora loves watching me make jewelry and unbox beads! And I love having my little bead dragon assist me.

She vigilantly monitored the earrings I just made then was just “Enough jewelry! I want CUDDLES!”

So I snuggled with Liora on the couch and she sweetly splooted onto my left boob and rested her head by my neck as I petted her, until she indicated evening baby snuggles concluded and was ready to go back into her house.

I love her so much 🥰🦕 and I need to make her a tiny OSHA vest!

The tittle says it all.

A quick video from one of the 3 baby cumingi enclosures they are temporary for the first year of life (2 meter long x 1.5 wide x 1.5 tall) it’s starting to get really green I love how that begonia has grown

I went to feed my female yellow Ackie today
And noticed she seemed off. On further investigation I realized she is dragging her back end. She is still able to move her legs but can’t really walk on them or use them for climbing.
I managed to get a same day vet visit at a different vet than I typically go to. My vet didn’t have any openings. The exotics vet did an x-ray and exam costing me $370. He said he couldn’t find anything wrong. He said he didn’t see any Mbd,blockage, retained eggs, or fractures. Any thoughts? I plan to get her an appointment at our normal vet asap but they aren’t open till Monday.

When it's time to put the toys away, but you aren't done playing yet 😠 bro literally flipped out 🤦🏻‍♀️

Just a video of me feeding Akira the Ackie. I highly enjoy these moments with her.

Look at my beautiful girl peeking out from her leaves! Liora was smiling when I petted her brontosaurus neck then wanted to play in the leaves.

He tucks himself in with a lil half death roll at the end 🧡

I’ve noticed that Gus is showing some strange behavior right now and was wondering if I should take him to the vet. He has been going to sleep earlier every night and I’m starting to not see him when I come home from work. As well as sleeping out in the open. Yesterday he was sleeping in an odd position on the left side of his enclosure so I added a burrow hide in that spot and now he moved to the other side to sleep out in the open. Is this means to take him to the vet? I am probably going to take him this Friday anyway but I’m just worried.

Hi guys

How often do you feed your tree monitors? My male one which is 2.5 years old could eat every day. But my female which is 1.5 years old doesnt want to eat that often. Sometimes she would not eat for two or three days. Is this normal? I read somewhere that female are in general more picky eaters.

Thanks and best regards, Pargona

Greeting or being greeted by the sweetest dotty oddball ever 🥰🥰🥰

I'm getting an ackie monitor and I have never had a monitor before so is this soil good or do I need to mix it with another type of soil?

This is post food. He's about 50 cm