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Re: New monitor for Christmas (pics)
Posted: Sat Dec 25, 2010 2:24 am
by Vephriel
What a beautiful reptile!
Though he may not be in prime condition, the photos show a remarkable sense of personality and alertness. Such an adorable expression, and I just love his markings. I really don't think he looks that unhealthy at all. It seems like with the proper TLC he'll come around just fine, and I'm sure you're going to provide him an excellent home.

Looking forward to more photos of him, monitors have always been a favourite of mine, though I don't have the space requirements to own one myself right now.
Re: New monitor for Christmas (pics)
Posted: Sat Dec 25, 2010 4:44 am
by Acherontia
What a beautiful animal! And as Vephriel said, he looks like he does have quite a bit of personality!
Out of curiosity, what do they eat? I think if I ever wanted a big reptile I'd have to find a vegetarian, I just couldn't bring myself to feed them other critters, but he is GORGEOUS.
Re: New monitor for Christmas (pics)
Posted: Sat Dec 25, 2010 2:44 pm
by zedxrgal
Thanks. He's not all that unhealthy. He's just a bit underweight. He'll fatten up really quick though. lol
Acherontia wrote:Out of curiosity, what do they eat? I think if I ever wanted a big reptile I'd have to find a vegetarian, I just couldn't bring myself to feed them other critters, but he is GORGEOUS.
His diet here will consist of mice, rats, shellfish and whole healthy fishes. Depending on how much he grows he may get chicks.
Disclaimer #2: I do not feed live!!! NONE of my feeders are "pets" and are bred purely for feeding and are humanely euthanized.
Re: UPDATE: New monitor is here (Image warning)
Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 11:46 pm
by Lupis
That is a beautiful creature! He definitely looks like he has a personality all of his own.
Re: UPDATE: New monitor is here (Image warning)
Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 12:25 am
by Vephriel
Awww look at that precious face! <3
You're a lucky woman.

Re: UPDATE: New monitor is here (Image warning)
Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 2:54 am
by Davarra
"Ohai!"
Re: UPDATE: New monitor is here (Image warning)
Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 10:37 am
by Kaleos
Very nice! Seems he likes the camera and wanted to say hi. lol
Re: UPDATE: New monitor is here (Image warning)
Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 11:38 am
by Bellatryx
Oh dear god hes a cutie!
Re: UPDATE: New monitor is here (Image warning)
Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2011 12:02 am
by Rhyela
Holy crap, he's ADORABLE!!! :3 I agree, he seems to have a lot of personality.
And your cell phone takes pretty darned good pictures, lol.
Congrats on your new friend!!!
Re: UPDATE: New monitor is here (Image warning)
Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 7:27 pm
by Nanotrev
Do some heavy research. It seems like you're doing well so far, myself owning a monitor. Eventually, he'll require his own room or a cage just as big as such, along with a tub he can submerge and turn around in, something he should have at all times. Best of luck!
The best books to get are made by the Advanced Vivarium Systems and will walk you through every detail. I have no idea if you're savvy with reptiles that reach in access of five feet, sometimes topping out at nine feet and fifty pounds. The only larger monitor than the one you bought is the Komodo Dragon. I'd like one of these myself but my family keeps me limited to my Savannah Monitor and my Gymnothorax fimbriatus (Fimbriated Moray Eel) along with my chameleon, who alreay has the run of our guest bedroom in his own tree, uncontained.
Edit- Also, I'm proud of you for feeding him whole food items. If you ever lose access to those items try lean meats like turkey, chicken, or tuna. I had a friend of mine who bought a water monitor but became afraid of it, and as you mentioned they hit around five feet at the most common captive size. A five foot long aggressive animal isn't something you want, but it sounds like you really like him and must handle him every day anyways. I hope you enjoy your new pet. They certainly can become a member of the family. =)
Edit #2 -You might want to try a bigger cage. Would you mind replying to this with how large his cage is and how large he is currently? I'd have him in a 50-55 gallon at his size (my guestimate being a foot or two) on newspaper with two large hides on each side of the cage as well as the water dish he can submerge himself in. If you should wish you can buy a lizard lead for him to walk on and keep his claws trimmed naturally as I do with my monitor, but be careful that he doesn't slip out of it.
Edit #3 - Also, one more thing. I'm not trying to lecture you. I'm only trying to help you have the environment the reptile needs in case you haven't jumped into something like this before. A well cared for monitor that's been tamed down is one of the best pets you can get. Just be sure to feed him in a seperate container so he doesn't associate you with food when he gets larger. As long as you never hand-feed him, both you, your fingers, and your pet should be happy!
=P
Re: UPDATE: New monitor is here (Image warning)
Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 8:35 pm
by Mania
I'm not sure how I missed this thread before. Egad, that's a gorgeous monitor! Look at all the yellow on his head - so beautiful. Is that why you're thinking bivittatus?
Re: UPDATE: New monitor is here (Image warning)
Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 11:03 pm
by zedxrgal
@ Nanotrev - No worries my friend. You're talking to someone with 18 years of consecutive monitor keeping experience and .......................... honestly I don't know how long I've been keeping reptiles period. Goodness snakes I've been keeping them since I was a kid so it's certainly been a while. My largest monitor I've ever kept was a 7.5 foot Crocodile monitor. And he was missing several inches of tail. He was my love bug. So I'm no stranger to the bigguns or their care.
But I sincerely appreciate your commenting. It's rare these days to find anyone willing to help simply cause it's a reptile.
@ Mania - Yes it's a bivittatus. The head color is part of it but the banding pattern across the shoulders is really the giveaway. I consulted with a couple herpetologist friends I know just to be on the safe side.
Another minor update on this kid is that it's shedding like mad and has put on a bunch of weight and is now 98% healthy. Almost there. Also ....................... not as 'calm' or 'tame' anymore.
Very inquisitive but still is ready to bite first and ask questions later. Guess that happens when it's been almost starved to death.
Re: UPDATE: New monitor is here (Image warning)
Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2011 5:45 pm
by Sasrei
Wow so neat! Hes a little cutie
and I must say when it saw "new monitor" I was like.. oh what size did you get for your computer
he and I are alot alike we like.. the desert.. to much..
Glad to hear hes feeling better.
Re: UPDATE: New monitor is here (Image warning)
Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 6:24 pm
by Mania
zedxrgal wrote:@ Mania - Yes it's a bivittatus. The head color is part of it but the banding pattern across the shoulders is really the giveaway. I consulted with a couple herpetologist friends I know just to be on the safe side.
*nod nod* I was looking at the big swaths on the sides of his neck and I see now that they wrap down around his shoulders. Just gorgeous.
Re: UPDATE: New monitor is here (Image warning)
Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 2:52 pm
by Kaleos
Reading the title I still though computer monitor again, work is getting to me. lol
Does it have a name yet?!

Re: UPDATE: New monitor is here (Image warning)
Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 3:24 pm
by zedxrgal
Yep. Named "her" Aro.
Now that it's healthy and has been so active it's looking as though this one is a female.
Re: UPDATE: New monitor is here (Image warning)
Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 3:33 pm
by Kaleos
Awesome name choice I think.

lol