Monitor question

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Damo1

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What monitors could live their whole life or just 2-4 years of their life in a 6 x 2 x 2 enclosure

Interested in a Lacey (obviously for the short end of the stick), sand monitor, mertins water monitor and a black headed monitor.
 
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6 x 2 x 2 is a touch small for some of those to happily kick along, especially a full-grown sandy or lace. My mertens lives in a tank that size but he gets loads of freeroam time for more exercise, so technically he has half a house to explore. Would be plenty fine for a Tristis, maybe a V. Gouldii Flavirufus (for a smaller adult). Is it a fish tank or timber box? If it were a fish tank you could create some more vertical space for climbing and add extra shelves for more ground area by building a taller shroud.
 
Melamine, gonna put shelves if necessary. The enclosure is gonna be at the bottom of the bank so about 10 - 20cm from the floor so while I'm in the room I'll leave the door open and if it wants it can have a wonder (for the larger options)

Enclosure door not the room door
 
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Considered one of the smaller terrestrial species like an ackie or a storrs?

Edit: I’d keep a sandy in that if it was able to get regular outings. Hope you have tiles or floorboards though.
 
Yeah but they don't do it for me for some reason :D:rolleyes:

How long do you reckon it will be until it will need outings?

From a hatchling.
 
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Wasn't gonna keep the Lacey in the 6ft for it's life only for x amount of years until it had to be upgraded.

Considered one of the smaller terrestrial species like an ackie or a storrs?

Edit: I’d keep a sandy in that if it was able to get regular outings. Hope you have tiles or floorboards though.
.
 
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Wasn't gonna keep the Lacey in the 6ft for it's life only for x amount of years until it had to be upgraded.
I have three 14 month old varius in 5 x 2 x 2s (one lizard per enclosure) and at 80-100cm total length(guesstimate, not cooperative enough to measure) it’s only just barely OK for them, they already need bigger housing and are going outside soon. Lacies don’t seem to mess around with growth rate, and also should have plenty of height.
 
How long would a flavi take to need outings?
 
How long would a flavi take to need outings?
Depends on the animal. Outings are quite dependent on their temperament. A trusting, inquisitive lizard is a breeze to let out for an explore, and you can let it out earlier. Something that’s defensive or that has no trust and views you as a threat or predator... well good luck with that. Voluntary outings can actually go a long way with helping build trust though, that’s a different topic for a different thread.

It should do it for a year and a half, maybe two, depending on growth rate. People keep sandies their entire lives in smaller boxes, but I don’t agree with that. My only concern is the “2” in the 6x2.
 
When I get my own place I want to focus on keeping outside so will put it in an aviary then.
 
When I get my own place I want to focus on keeping outside so will put it in an aviary then.
If you’re going to do that I’d suggest waiting until you’re in the new place with the aviary underway first. I’ve fallen into that trap before.

BUT if you just have to have a lizard now, your enclosure will suit a flavi, as long as it has plenty of substrate depth to dig in.
 
i'd love any of the larger monitors...guess i'll have to stick with tristis and lower... you're lucky to get the option of a bigger monitor, i'd kill for even a sandie.
 
i'd love any of the larger monitors...guess i'll have to stick with tristis and lower... you're lucky to get the option of a bigger monitor, i'd kill for even a sandie.
Larger monitors mean larger workloads ;)

I love my gilleni, big monitor personalities in tiny little bodies. They’re a crack-up to observe.
 
i'd be fine with the work, i like working- there isn't too much to do around here after i do my homework, i'd gladly spend a few hours each day doing work on a larger monitors enclosure.
 
What monitors could live their whole life or just 2-4 years of their life in a 6 x 2 x 2 enclosure

Interested in a Lacey (obviously for the short end of the stick), sand monitor, mertins water monitor and a black headed monitor.


Hi Damo,

What's your experience with monitors?

George.
 
I second the thought that a lacie is not a good starter monitor.
And we have a juvenile yellow spotted monitor in a similar sized enclosure who has nearly outgrown it in just over 6 months.
 
It seems that you're in a bit of a rush... monitors are fantastic creatures and I love them to death, but it's best to wait a bit until you can house it properly. Would you really want to keep a monitor if it doesn't have the right room, and is thus unhappy, for the price of getting the animal a bit quicker? With the room you've got, I'd suggest any one of the less specialist, small to medium sized monitors. Lacies can be a handful if they're not accustomed to human contact, and it's hard to get them to agree to getting accustomed. They also have violent feeding responses... Also, they are arboreal so even the tamest lacie will leave bleeding scratches on your arms, even without intentions to harm you. It's really best to get something that is less of a handful, especially if you are a beginner to monitors. Best of luck with your varanus! :) They really have heaps more character than many other reptiles... :D

EDIT: If they are confident enough, I'd give any monitor outings, regardless of their size. Due to their intelligence, they can become very "depressed" in captivity without sufficient enrichment. I've seen at least 2 or 3 examples of this, which is 2 or 3 more than there should be.
 
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