Lacie growth rates

[Malley]

Hi everyone, i realise its dependent on many factors, but i was wondering on average how long it would take for a hatchling lace monitor (at the age of being ready to be freighted), to outgrow an indoor enclosure of say.....4ftx2ftx2ft? Can anyone express their opinion?
Cheers, Steve

[Malley]

bumpzor

[raptor]

2 years

[Malley]

If a bigger enclosure was used, at what age are they "wanting" to go outside? Is it still around 2yrs of age?

[Bigblackdog]

I'd appreciate some help with this one as well (bump :wink: )
I'd like to house a pair of hatchies in an indoor 6 foot x 2 foot x 2 foot with the appropriate lighting/heating.
How long would this enclosure work for this pair of animals?
Obviously, the lacies' health & comfort are paramount in this situation.

[JasonL]

Ive seen them hit a meter long in one year, but of course you could slow that down to take alot longer depending on heat / food given.

[JasonL]

Also the sex of the animal has heaps to do with size as females are half the total length of males. The one I made mention of was a male.

[imported_Varanus]

Hey Malley,

I recieved my pair in September 2004 and my male is already 1.6 Metres and growing by the week! The little Girlies just on a Metre and eats nearly as much.

I originally had mine in a 5x2x3 feet (both at approx:25cm) and moved them to a 2.5 metrex2metrex1.5metre indoor enclosure within a few months!! They also have an outside enclosure of 4mx 3mx 2.5m for the warmer months (unfortunately I live in Armidale, otherwise they'd be outside year round).

Bigger is better as is outdoor accomodation IMO for Lacies (applies to most Monitor species).

Having said all that , however, the fella I got my pair off lives in a one bedroom apartment in Sydney and keeps his indoors year round in a 2.5mx2.5mx1.2m and has had multiple clutches to date! (obviously their happy enough.

Hope this helps,

Cheers,

Varanus.

[freerider]

Depending alot on how you feed, I would say 2yr's maximum, one of mine is around 10 mnths and just shy of 3ft tip to tip, but saying that he gets feed almost daily. I am looking at moving them outside in around 6mnths, I also have another of the same age that is feed the same diet and is only around 2ft tip to tip (i'm pretty sure its a female) so it will differ from animal to animal , also locale of the animal will sometimes affect its size/growth rate with certain areas having smaller animals
hope this helps

[Bigblackdog]

Great info & great growth rates!
If housing outside in an open pit rather than a screened aviary style enclosure, how high do the walls need to be to contain tha animals?

Obviously no branches too close to the sides, but can lacies jump?

[serpenttongue]

Yes Lacies can jump and jump well. Dont underestimate them, they're very acrobatic(except the obese ones!!)

I would never house Lacies in a pit. The thought of one escaping or being stolen would be too much for me to bear.

However, i've seen Lacies in pits with a wall height of only 1 metre which i believe is too low. 1.7m high walls would be my choice.

[Bigblackdog]

Originally Posted by serpenttongue

Yes Lacies can jump and jump well. Dont underestimate them, they're very acrobatic(except the obese ones!!)

I would never house Lacies in a pit. The thought of one escaping or being stolen would be too much for me to bear.

However, i've seen Lacies in pits with a wall height of only 1 metre which i believe is too low. 1.7m high walls would be my choice.

Thanks serpenttongue.

OK, last question(s)... :wink:

I'm in Brisbane, so I could house my lacies outside year round.
What size avairy would comfortably house an adult pair of lacies, taking into account that the available space will be maximised using tree stumps, branches, etc.
I'm thinking a small pond for drinking from?
Do Lacies like bathing or lying in water?

Thanks to everyone for any input, and I hope Malley doesn't mind me posing my Lacie questions in his thread.

[imported_Varanus]

Is the Pope a catholic?? (Sorry, couldn't think of a more original one at such short notice!).

I've seen my male leap about 3metres from a branch, through an open enclosure door just to chase the German Shepard (dog not person out of the room) I think he does it for the sheer fun as he knows the Sheps scared shitless of him!!!

[imported_Varanus]

Is the Pope a catholic?? (Sorry, couldn't think of a more original one at such short notice!).

I've seen my male leap about 3metres from a branch, through an open enclosure door just to chase the German Shepard (dog not person out of the room) I think he does it for the sheer fun as he knows the Sheps scared shitless of him!!!

[imported_Varanus]

Please excuse the double post.

Cheers,

Varanus.