Large Water Monitor Enclosure

BWSmith · #1 (**permalink**) 04-09-2006, 04:19 AM

An actual "cage" is tough for a large Water Monitor, so for my 5 footer I made a 4' x 12' pen for him in the herp room. Due to the design, I can only photograph 2/3 of it, but you get the idea.

btw, the far wall is plexi. the wires are behind the plexi

Adrya · #2 (**permalink**) 04-09-2006, 04:47 AM

Awesome. He's really cool lookin'.

That's great that you can provide such a nice spacious enclosure for him....

and since he's a water monitor.... does he have a large tub of water in there anywhere or does it not really matter..?

BWSmith · #3 (**permalink**) 04-09-2006, 05:08 AM

Despite their name, they don't really need something to swim in. The water bowl is not shown in the photos. He does get bath time though.

Dachande · #4 (**permalink**) 04-09-2006, 03:08 PM

sorry, i can't see the pics.
but it is true they do benefit from a large enough container in which to soak. just make sure it has a way to drain down for cleaning. it can save alot of headache when cleaning.

amercnwmn · #5 (**permalink**) 04-09-2006, 03:37 PM

I can see these pics...Look really nice..LOVE the enclosure! Looks like he has a ton of room, is he full grown?

BWSmith · #6 (**permalink**) 04-09-2006, 05:23 PM

A soaking container is, of course, beneficial, but not necessary. Scheduled soaks are fine.

Dachande · #7 (**permalink**) 04-09-2006, 05:54 PM

looks quite spacious.

brownsfan222 · #8 (**permalink**) 04-10-2006, 02:04 AM

At the Cosi park thing by my house they have a reptile kinda thing going on there and they have a pair of adult water monitors and they have an awesome setup with a big molded pond in the middle and they both were swimming around. the pen is a good idea too, im sure its easy to move lol.

Razaiel · #9 (**permalink**) 04-10-2006, 05:47 AM

That's a really nice set-up you got there - so natural looking and spacious.

chrispaine · #10 (**permalink**) 04-10-2006, 08:56 AM

looks good, When I get my own place I would like to do somthing like that. Hey, How much time do you think you spend in your Herp room per day?

BWSmith · #11 (**permalink**) 04-10-2006, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrispaine

looks good, When I get my own place I would like to do somthing like that. Hey, How much time do you think you spend in your Herp room per day?

2-4 hours

NicoleRussell · #12 (**permalink**) 04-10-2006, 01:24 PM

wow BW that is a great looking lizard...I'm sooo jealous

dirtborder · #13 (**permalink**) 09-03-2007, 09:05 PM

Just wondering if you still have this guy/girl BW.

snakemann6 · #14 (**permalink**) 09-03-2007, 09:17 PM

nice...

mrcota · #15 (**permalink**) 09-05-2007, 01:32 PM

BW, that is a nice large set up that you have. I wish that more people gave their monitors more room to move around in. Too often, monitors are given the minimum- or less and when you comment that it is too small, they think that you are joking with them. Your enclosure should serve as example of the kind of size these large lizards need to be living in.

I was recently beating myself up about not giving my monitors large enough enclosures (mine are larger than what most give theirs) and have spent the past couple of weeks doing something about it.
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Concerning Andrya_Webb's comment:

Quote:

and since he's a water monitor.... does he have a large tub of water in there anywhere or does it not really matter..?

Water monitors are semi-aquatic and many biologists have in the past classified them as an aquatic animal (primarily in charts showing endemic aquatic fauna). Although they could stay healthy and survive without having regular swimming facilities, an iguana can also survive and stay healthy without having anything to climb on. My anology is that although it can stay healthy and survive, you are taking away the element which is most natural to it.
.
Sorry, BW, although I love the size of your enclosure

- they really do need water. Their life in the wild revolves around water and they are constantly in it or very close to it (alternating between water and land); it is their refuge, a primary avenue of moving from place to place and they often even sleep in or under water.
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Cheers,
Michael

TammyJamaica · #16 (**permalink**) 09-05-2007, 03:06 PM

It's good to see such a great looking setup and a healthy, happy looking critter in it! Very nice!!!

BWSmith · #17 (**permalink**) 09-08-2007, 05:33 AM

I actually gave him to a friend of mine. I got him for the specific purpose of being a program animal, but he was a head climber. A monitor that large that doesn't like being held doesn't fit the bill. But Anthony fell in love with him so I gave him time to set up an enclosure. He is now in a 12'x12' enclosure with a pond and a slide dropping into the water (that he uses all day long). He is in the process of setting up an adjacent large outdoor enclosure that will be connected by a dog door. Lizard heaven.

bubbasmithson · #18 (**permalink**) 09-09-2007, 04:24 PM

this is Sal he's in the water 95% of the day and sleeps in the water i think its safe to say they love water even if its one of those kids pools

razeraze · #19 (**permalink**) 09-12-2007, 07:00 PM

Very awesome, everyone. I remember a guy once told me water monitors are not aquatic so giving them a large water bin would be fruitless. This was a guy who kept monitors for 6+ years, I am glad people here are much smarter

BWSmith · #20 (**permalink**) 09-12-2007, 07:23 PM

A large water area is, of course, ideal for Water Monitors or any animal for that matter. But I was speaking with the guy has my big water now and the lizard uses the water, but not nearly to extent as others are implying. It spends most of its time basking and digging with very little time soaking. Perhaps it has to do with feeling secure. Perhaps if the animal feels safe and secure in its enclosure then it does not use the water so much. After all, the water is often used as a retreat and makes the animal feel safe.

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