Goblin's first day out!

[imported_Varanus]

We've had a bit of rain in the New England area of late and this was her first foray outside for a few weeks. Happiness is a goanna in mud!

 

[Sezzzzzzzzz]

she looks very happy!

What sort of goanna is she? (Sorry for the silly newb question!)

 

[Grogshla]

she is loving it

 

[Smithers]

@ Sarah, It's a Bell phase Lace Monitor and a nice one to boot.

 

[IgotFrogs]

lol wallowing like a pig eeerrrr Goanna in mud lol ....

 

[Sezzzzzzzzz]

thanks brett! i thought so but didnt wanna sound like an idiot!!!

 

[Carnelian]

She is gorgeous, definitely enjoying the mud.

My Mr 13 has his eye on a lacey.

 

[imported_Varanus]

Thanks all,

The only idiots are the ones who think they know it all without asking questions, Sarah!

My Mr 13 has his eye on a lacey.

Well worth the wait!

 

[ajandj]

Thanks all,

The only idiots are the ones who think they know it all without asking questions, Sarah!

Well worth the wait!

Great!! then i'll ask, how big do these fellas get? and are they hard to care for?

 

[Chris1]

shes stunning, and thoroughly enjoying herslef, lol,...!!

wish i could like those pics more than once,...!!!

 

[Carnelian]

Well worth the wait!

And that he will be, he has to go away for senior end of next yr so he has been told it isn't practical until he is at least semi settled somewhere or Mum & Dad have moved somewhere they wish to stay so we can babysit.

 

[imported_Varanus]

Great!! then i'll ask, how big do these fellas get? and are they hard to care for?

1.5M, though males can be larger and certainly bulkier, particularly in the South East. I've heard of an animal at a well know wildlife park in Vic of nearly 2M and 14kg's, but that would not be the norm. Not particularly hard to care for but they do require large accomodation and a hot basking spot of 50C+ (depending on size/age) and can be dangerous at feed times, so require some common sense when interacting with them. But don't let this put you off as the rewards are well worth any inconvenience. In my humble opinion, THE most rewarding reptile to keep if your after something with a bit of intelligence.

 

[Renenet]

IV, can they be friendly (aside from at feeding time)?

 

[imported_Varanus]

IV, can they be friendly (aside from at feeding time)?

Certainly can, though I'd probably describe them as independantly interactive rather than "friendly". I'm able to carry my animals around the house and move them to their outside enclosure on my shoulder (while wearing a goanna proof jacket), but I've rarely picked them up like you would a bluetongue/ Bearded Dragon to avoid initiating a threat response. Certainly I'd say your able to build up a level of trust over time, if you are able to refrain from handling them too much when they're small and vulnerable and let them initiate any contact. Even feed times they can sometimes be very calm, but I still keep a wary eye out, use forcepts and don't anticipate the same behaviour at the next feed. I like the term "food brain" to describe their feeding response!

 

[saximus]

He's gorgeous Richard. Is this the same one that was attacking your computer a couple of months back? Nice info too. It's obvious guys like you and David love these animals

 

[imported_Varanus]

Thanks Sax,

Yes, same animal, though now a female, not a male! I reckon anyone with a genuine interest in reptiles could not fail to have these as one of their faves (if not their favourite). I've moved states and changed jobs/houses because I missed keeping Lacies and these would be the last animals I'd ever part with. You'd probably find most dedicated varanofiles would tell you the same thing, though I may be a bit of a nutter!

 

[Mr.James]

Nice bells! Is she kept outside permanently or just on the nice sunny days?

 

[imported_Varanus]

Nice bells! Is she kept outside permanently or just on the nice sunny days?

Ditto, Mr James, a very attractive animal you have there! Only on warm days, which are few and far
between ATM in the New England.

 

[Sezzzzzzzzz]

IV, thank you for all that wonderful info! They are a truly spectacular animal.

I would love to have one, but i think living in rentals it would be impossible atm. Plus id like to get a bit more experience first!

 

[imported_Varanus]

My pleasure! Ackies/Gillens are a great place to start, similar husbandry parameters and can be housed in standard reptile enclosures if your after some varanid experience.