I'm planning on getting 2 pairs of dwarf monitors in the future. I was looking into working with 6x3x3 enclosures, but I might be able to make 4' tall work. Any recommendations on species or tank brands?

So I’m looking for another monitor species to keep (I already have Ackies) and did have an Asian water monitor (sadly no longer with us- she was a rescue as found in a shipping container having been stuck there for at least month and despite our and our exotics vet’s best efforts, she didn’t survive 😢) I have a spare 8ft x 2ft x3ft enclosure which would be for the species- so any ideas?!

Ackies (and other monitors) really interest me and I'd love to provide a home to one. my only concern is how some places describe their behaviour. From what I've heard, they're basically always on the move and will never just chill next to you or hang out on you. Is this true? If so, are there any other species that are more likely to be happy just chilling?

for some context: I've not owned any reptile before and am looking for my first. I've been researching so many different species to make sure I'm 100% making the right choice! TIA!

Does anyone have any tips for caring for a Kimbo? Just got one the other day, it’s around 3”-4” snout to vent. Enclosure size for now? What to feed at this size? Temp? Humidity? etc

I’ve recently got myself a 9 week old kingorum , atm it’s in a grow out enclosure very minimalistic , so I’m in the middle of making a custom enclosure for when it gets a bit bigger , to my understanding from most research and what others have told me they are mostly terrestrial rock dwellers , my question is how tall is to tall of an enclosure because I’ve seen them thrive in a 60cm tall but it seems like even though they have that height they still want to get higher so I’m thinking 90cm tall either 60cm or 90cm wide and 60cm deep , any suggestions would be greatly appreciated even some photos of setups would be great, cheers.

1 of 2 clutches im waiting for. 90 day mark is 8/19/24

I wondered if mangrove monitors would fit in this sub Reddit but I know there not as small it’s just a question

I'm curious to know what dwarf monitor is the biggest out of the dwarf monitors? Also besides ackies which one is the has the most handleability? Thank you 🙂

Can I use any lamp fixture like this one? Or does it have to be a reptile one. Also, can I use any type of plug in dimmer?

At my local reptile shop they are getting some kimberley rock monitors and I really want one .what size tank do they need im not sure what age so what size tank should I get??

I live in ireland and really want a timor monitor but can find them so if anyone breeds them here or can ship them here please tell me

Nothing says summer like insects galore, especially those of the biting and stinging variety. This year, I’m looking at it as a new opportunity to diversify my ackies snack list. So far, paper wasp larvae and horse flies have been a big hit. I recently found some termites, but it’s a bit hard to contain so many small insects for consumption, might have to work on something similar to a live ant feeder to help with that.

Having a bit of trouble getting my substrate down as my female primordius is pickier this year and holding clutches too long. I know my nesting parameters are off. Enclosure has 14-18 inches of a soil/sand mix with a top layer of decomposed granite. There is no nest box. Gradient is top to bottom, 90 at the top and 80 at the bottom with a moisture gradient over the 52 inch length of the enclosure. I'm thinking that because the topsoil I used contains sphagnum - which isn't present in their natural environment - that this may be holding too much moisture. I have literally four tons of locally sourced dirt piled in my back yard that the pair refuse to dig in so that's not an option.

Looking for suggestions on creating a substrate that is low in organic material, holds a burrow that is humid but isn't wet. I have 120 pounds of the decomposed granite on hand.

Good day folks.

Currently have my kimberlies in 5x3x4 cages

I feel like this is a bit bit they don’t utilize a lot of it. Thinking about moving my kimberlies into 4x2x4 foot enclosure and then pick up blackheads monitors (tristis tristis) to live in the 5x3x4. Would this be a OK plan?

I came across Artemis here at a local specialty exotic ship near me in PA. At the time, she had been housed in once of those exoterra 3fts with one hide and one Mass of drift wood and a red basking bulb for heat. She had been there since hatching for 5 years. Her diet was 6 pinky mice only a week haha.

It's been a solid 2 almost 3 years of slowly building her trust. The moment I put her in a properly setup enclosure, her personality changed completely to what I think is her true self. This is the first time she's sat on my hand like this and it almost made me cry haha. Normally she'd try and bite me out of annoyance, she's never tried to defensive bite me.

Just goes to shows that monitors truly take a different kind of effort to establish trust compared to dogs and cats. Do not get one unless you're capable of putting in time EVERYDAY and savor the small victories. Don't overwhelm them.

Would anyone have any tips on a certain species of monitor that is okay living next to a freshwater area in the same tank. I also want to put fish in there that the monitor can eat aswell. If this is even possible please let me know.

Heya! I'm thinking about getting into keeping monitor lizards, the problem is that I am seriously restricted on space and was hoping to get some input on if there's any dwarf species that could fit my restrictions.

The absolute maximum I could go with an enclosure would be 4ft long, 2ft deep, 6ft high. IDEALLY, though, I'd prefer something that was only 3ft long and maybe 5ft tall. I was really interested in ackies, but seeing that they're quite prolific diggers makes me think they really do deserve more horizontal space than I could give them.

Any suggestions? It's okay if the answer is no haha, I'm kind of weighing my options in terms of what lizard is next and I like the intelligence of monitors. But I'm not irresponsible enough to keep something I don't have the requirements for.

Edit: Thanks for all the advice! I think I've landed on V. tristis - they seem to really appreciate vertical space and are just the size I was hoping to have in a new friend. Ackies need for deep substrate and preference to horizontal spaces made it difficult to work with the space I have, I found Kimberlys to be a little bit too noodly for me in terms of appearance, and Gillens are just a little bit too small (I come from keeping beardies, was looking for something with similar heft). Looking forward to building enclosure plans and securing a new little guy!

How different are there temperaments on average? I understand that they both have somewhat different care requirements but I’ve heard they are both more bold generally. Is this true from your experience? Is one more bold than the other on average? Just curious.

Man I tell ya what, when my Artemis gets her zoomies she is incredibly obnoxious. But boy can she loaf around when she wants to and HATES being woken up during day time naps haha.

Hey everyone I just finished up everything in my Ackie monitors new larger setup I was just curious if there’s anyone who has any constructive criticism to help me out to make sure everything’s perfect for my little guy Side note: I realize this isn’t an average Ackie setup because there is a fair bit more height then normal but Ackies do love to climb so I figured I mise well spend a little more and give him that extra room!

I love the intelligence and personality of monitors, but definitely am looking for one of the smaller variety (thus posting here). My quandary is that all of the dwarf monitors I'm familiar with are arid or semi arid species. Are there any small monitors, even if not technically odatria, that aren't quite as arid, but also aren't semi-aquatic? Terrestrial preferred but semi-arboreal is cool too. If nothing fits, I'm just not meant to have one at this point in my life, and that's ok too.