im a big fan of oversized reptiles. i am workin on makin my python as big as possible. but i want a lizard too. and the biggest lizard i can think of was a monitor. i dont know much about these guys accept they bite alote, but i dont know how hard or if it could be big time damaging to my arms/legs.
my snake has bit me twice when i first got it, but it got used to me so now it only stares down strangers. would the moniter get used to me?
and one last question. wich species of moniter would be good?
2006-08-26 19:26:58 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Reptiles
i feed my snake once a week
2006-08-27 09:02:22 · update #1
in my opinion monitors "can" make good pets but ONLY if they are properly cared for and have tons of time given to them i have 7 monitors right now a 5ft female savannah 2 males at 3.5 and 4 feet a pair of 4ft niles a timor and a green tree monitor the green tree is the smallest and requires almost constant attention i dont recomend these type of monitor but all of my other monitors will walk on a leash without any problems savannahs are good starter monitors they are about the smallest large body monitor and with alot of attention they usually stay tame real well niles are well known for there bad attitude all the time mine are about 3 yrs old and i am still cautios with them. the best way to keep a monitor is start at least with a 40 brdr tank but once they start getting big they pretty much need an entire room to themselves. i usually just let my monitors get exercise in a pool or a bathtub but that may not work when there over 4 ft. they like hot temp and depending on the speceis humidity is different with each one. a small monitor can deliver a painfull bite but usually not bad but an adult can seriously tear open your flesh and almost always a good infection is to follow, but if you are willing to put in the effort and time it takes for a child you can have a very good pet monitor. if you have any other questions you can email me
harleyhogg1357912@yahoo
2006-08-27 13:28:25 · answer #1 · answered by reptileking 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
First ... it is not good for your python's health for you to try to make it "as big as possible". Snakes are as prone to health problems due to obesity as humans, and it's even more difficult for them to safely lose the excess weight. Fatty Liver disease and Heart disease kill many pet snakes (especially large boids). Also, it has been proven that snakes who are fed a low-calorie diet live much longer & healthier lives than snakes that are fed once or twice a week. The longest-lived rattlesnake survived quite nicely on a diet of no more than six meals per year, with a hibernation period of approximately 4-5 months during which it didn't eat at all.
As for monitors ... Most monitor lizards don't make the best of pets due to their often edgy, nervous & irritable nature. Some are better in this regard than others, I've met some that seemed to be dog-tame. But lizards have a higher metabolism than snakes, and require more room than you would give a snake in order for them to get a proper amount of in-cage excercise. Also, some species require a larger bathing pool than you might expect, and like all reptiles they require a clean environment with proper lighting, heat, and humidity in order to remain healthy. Meeting these needs can take up a lot of time and money, so you need to consider this before investing either in a new pet.
In short, please be sure to do your research before getting any new reptile pets. It is easy to become a "hoarder", and to find yourself overwhelmed by the sheer number of pets you have to care for, especially if you wish to lead a life outside of your zoo.
2006-08-26 19:45:36 · answer #2 · answered by My Evil Twin 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Almost all the answers are good and correct and I wouldn't get a big monitor if you are not experienced in them try a golden tegu but if your like me when I first started I didn't listen to the warnings and learned for myself. That I know of the most docile big body monitor is the water monitor of Indonesia sometimes reaching 8 feet. Must be prepared and willing to provide it with its proper environment requirements witch is quite a task. Good Luck
2006-08-27 05:38:30 · answer #3 · answered by dpherptile 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
reptiles do better in the wild. it is no life for them living with us. plus, as a "pet", they are not very good. They stink, lay around and eat. This probably describes most of americas pets, but it shouldn't. Even though some people think they can, we cannot "bond" with reptiles. They don't think, they react. We humanize every animal, but at least dogs we can get some sort of bonding experience. So if you want a big stinky thing sitting in the corner all day, so you can look at and plop on your lap then go ahead and get one. I think you would be happier with something else.
2006-08-26 20:22:58 · answer #4 · answered by Dustin 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is not a good idea to aggressively feed (power feeding) your python. I feed mine every 7-10 days which is plenty sufficient.
As for monitors, Ackies (aka Ridge Tail / Dwarf) and Tegus are great monitors.
2006-08-27 00:10:22 · answer #5 · answered by badger_n 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I personally would not recommend any monitors as pets other than a few dwarf types such as acanthurus. There are a couple of others but due to their rarity the cost would be prohibitive.
2006-08-27 13:23:05 · answer #6 · answered by carl l 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
somewhat boy had a flea as a puppy and sent six months coaching it to sit down down up and beg and roll over on command. He placed the flea interior the direction of his table in his room and stated as his dad as much as look at his puppy, yet did no longer tell him what it became. His dad got here to his room to be certain what the boy wanted. The boy suggested "i pick to instruct you something particular!" His dad regarded around the room and observed a computer virus on the boys table and smashed it with the palm of his hand. "Damned computer virus! Now what's it son?"
2016-09-30 01:08:08 · answer #7 · answered by grumney 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a monitor is hard to keep. They have to have a lot of room, they need to be misted and have big pools of water, and they just don't "like" people. They belong in the wild.
2006-08-26 19:33:38 · answer #8 · answered by achshah!!!!! 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
they are good pets if you train them correctly. I heard that if you put a piece of dirty clothing in their cage, they get used to you quicker. I don't know any species of monitor except water monitors.
2006-08-27 05:06:08 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get it young. Then when it does bite it won't do any damage to your apendages. If you handle it enough it should get used to you. I'm not an expert though. I like big lizards too. I wish it were possible to own an Komodo Dragon. They are so cool. get the monitor.
http://exoticpets.about.com/od/monitorlizards/
Savanna monitors are pretty popular. check out this site.
2006-08-26 19:34:16 · answer #10 · answered by nicolea0329 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋