Pellewensis (spotted tree monitor)

[Funkstaa]

I've been googling and looking through threads for the last few days as I was looking at buying a yellow spotted monitor, but am thinking I can't find much info and it's too big to start off with for my first monitor - still haven't 100% decided though...
I have come across the spotted tree monitor and really like the look of it but can't find any for sale :cry:
Are they hard to find?...and what sort of price range would I be looking at?

 

[Guest]

scalaris monitors can be hard to find and theres not too many of the pellewensis form around yet but if you find one the price ranges from around $600 upwards

 

[Bushfire]

If you are in NSW you wont be allowed them as a first monitor but can if you live in QLD.

 

[imported_Varanus]

If it's your first monitor, I'd stay away from many of the larger species (especially Panoptes) and opt for something more managable, like Ackies or Gillens. Gillens are a personal favourite as they're very active (and entertaining), hardy and show no aggression toward cage mates (or keepers).

 

[Funkstaa]

Thanks for the reply's ...I think I've decided to wait until I have a bit more experience to have a bigger monitor.
I really like the look of the spotted tree monitor but the viv I'm going to use isn't that tall so I don't think it's suitable
I want something that's not overly common, but not impossible to find, I'm at the point with my collection where I want to start to get some jaw droppers, not just the first thing I find.
The viv I'm going to build is aprox 5 foot by 2 foot - I'm hopless at measurements so that's a rough guess : p , it's basiacally the bottom section of my turtles stand turned into a viv as it's massive and a waste of space...
What would be suited to that size that's not overly common?

 

[Aslan]

Funkstaa - Many small Monitors are becoming more and more difficult to get your hands on - Ackies are just about the only common-ish ones still around.

You would have absolutely no problem keeping scalaris in a 5x2x2, in fact, I would just about call those dimensions ideal.

Another option would be tristis, there are some top looking morphs around. My personal favourite are gilleni, they are brilliant captives...

 

[Funkstaa]

Thanks Aslan, If they are suitable for that size I'm on a mission to find some,I do like the gilleni aswell but how common are they?...If anyone knows of anyone with some available or becoming available pretty please pm me

 

[sesa-sayin]

a 4 feet aquariium is perfect for scallaris. it is not absolutely necessary for them to climb. i stopped putting branches in my tanks, because these little houdinies always found a way of getting out. lost 2 valuable females.. threre are a few young "pells " came onto the market about 1 year ago. hopefully they will breed un a year or so....scallaris are my favs.. not large, burt not too small