Monitor Care & Natural History; Zoo & Pet Experiences

[BronxZooFrank]

Hi All,
[FONT=&quot]I’ve had the good fortune of caring for 15-20 monitor species during my zoo career. From the diminutive Storr’s to the massive Water, Lace, Crocodile and Komodo Monitors, all have instilled in me the feeling that they were, somehow, “more complicated” than other reptiles. Indeed, recent studies have confirmed that they are, among lizards, highly advanced. While some are too large for the average household, several moderately-sized and even dwarf varieties are being bred by hobbyists, and all make fascinating and responsive captives.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]The following information can be applied to the care of Savannah, Black Tree, Nile, Merten’s and most other monitors. [/FONT]
Read article here http://bit.ly/116qfas
Please also check out my posts on Twitter http://bitly.com/JP27Nj.

Thanks, Frank
My Bio, with photos of animals I’ve been lucky enough to work with http://bitly.com/LC8Lbp
Face Book http://on.fb.me/KckP1m

 

[felix453]

Every year my family gets a season pass to the bronx zoo and its on of the highlights of my summer

 

[BronxZooFrank]

Every year my family gets a season pass to the bronx zoo and its on of the highlights of my summer

Great, I grew up nearby and it has always been a huge influence, spent 21 years working there. They just rec'd 2 Komodo Dragons, 5 feet or so in length. Not on exhibit yet, but hopefully soon, Enjoy, Best, Frank

 

[Vicious_Fish]

Gotta love dwarf monitors! Here are two of my Yellow Ackies (the male was camera shy).

 

[BronxZooFrank]

Thanks, Seth..they look to be in fine shape. i can't imagine why they and similar species have not received more attention - like the larger species in every way but size, much more feasible for the average owner to provide proper care, etc.

Enjoy, Frank

 

[Vicious_Fish]

i can't imagine why they and similar species have not received more attention - like the larger species in every way but size, much more feasible for the average owner to provide proper care, etc.

I think it has to do with the fact that most if not all the dwarf species (minus Timors) come from captive breed US and European stock. And as you know they pretty much always demand high prices. Freshly imported Niles and Savannahs are so cheap that they are often times bought as an impulse with little to no research from the buyer. Bad information like "the lizard will grow to the size of it's aquarium" and "it can live on a diet of hamburger and cat food" doom many monitors an early death unfortunately. Not to mention bad husbandry. I do think the high prices of the dwarf species helps to secure them a decent home because you're normally not going to drop several hundred dollars on an animal that you didn't do any research on. Dwarfs are definitely worth saving your money for and doing your research on. You surely won't be disappointed by them!

I'd love to see some more European stock make it into the states and it would be even better if the Aussie's could sell us some captive breed stock so we can strengthen our captive bred bloodlines.

 

[BronxZooFrank]

I think it has to do with the fact that most if not all the dwarf species (minus Timors) come from captive breed US and European stock. And as you know they pretty much always demand high prices. Freshly imported Niles and Savannahs are so cheap that they are often times bought as an impulse with little to no research from the buyer. Bad information like "the lizard will grow to the size of it's aquarium" and "it can live on a diet of hamburger and cat food" doom many monitors an early death unfortunately. Not to mention bad husbandry. I do think the high prices of the dwarf species helps to secure them a decent home because you're normally not going to drop several hundred dollars on an animal that you didn't do any research on. Dwarfs are definitely worth saving your money for and doing your research on. You surely won't be disappointed by them!

I'd love to see some more European stock make it into the states and it would be even better if the Aussie's could sell us some captive breed stock so we can strengthen our captive bred bloodlines.

Good points, Seth, thanks and I agree now that I look at it that way. We saw similar trends in the US back before the import of wild caught parrots was out-lawed. Shame too re Australia; then again, they do a better job than most at protecting wildlife, perhaps allowing supervised exports would open too many loopholes, as occurred with croc skin trade before genetic ID's became possible. Best, Frank