Looking at getting an argus

[Landon]

Im looking at getting an argus and I have a few questions. One is I heard they have some aggression issues but i've also heard you can tame them down as well. Im just looking for some personal opinions on this topic. Also what are some reputable breeders for an argus? I don't mind spending a few more dollars for a healthy monitor in opposed to a WC one with parasites. Im running late for work but I will get into more detail when I get off. Thanks for the help, Landon

	Wild caught wild caught

[NicoleRussell]

Argus monitors are up there for me as some of my favorite lizards. I know one person online who has a happy healthy one but I have no idea where he acquired it. I'll do some investigating and find out for you or see if he can perhaps come here and answer this himself.

[Landon]

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!!! I've posted this on 3 boards and this is the only reply i've had. I would really appriciate it if I could get some personal experiences with this breed.

[NicoleRussell]

I emailed him and gave him this link...hopefully he'll make it over here very soon. His name is Mark.
If I didn't already have 4 large species of lizard I would step int the world of monitors and never return. Argus--varanus giganteus--croc's...I love em all.
I have to say though, I would probably end up with an argie because realistically they are doable. A croc is a huge arboreal monitor --too large for the average home I think. Giganteus isn't too often seen in collections at all...I would think if they were it ould be a wild collection--and from what I have read they attain a great size as well.
Stick around and see what Mark says.

	Arboreal Arboreal is a word meaning "related to or resembling trees". Its meaning comes from the Latin arbor, meaning tree.<br> In biology, an arboreal animal is one which inhabits or spends large amounts of time in trees or bushes.

[MarknMiami]

Hi Landon and Hi Nicole....So your thinking about aquiring an Argus monitor ehh?...Very nice choice...If you have the means to care for one you will have a wonderful animal to enjoy for many years to come..As far as Argus having aggression issues, I personally have never come across one with aggresive attitude..What I mean by aggressive is , Lunging and attempting to bite viciously...Now one thing you will notice about these monitors is this, They are supreme bluffers..They will puff up and hiss VERY loudly and tail whip and do everything it can to scare you away....Mine still does it to this day and I just laugh at her because she knows it doesn't work anymore...I pick her up and she will get a little squirmy and scratch but never bite..I can't guarentee that will happen with everyones Argus but just trying to give you a general idea lol..Be sure and wear gloves when handling any of the medium to large monitors as they have very sharp claws and can open up a nasty wound if not careful...I got mine as a captive born hatchling from Ben Siegel...There are a few monitor breeders around but off hand I do not have a list of them like I used to lol...Just check around, They aren't that hard to find..Argus are voracious feeders as well so be sure to keep an eye on its diet as they can get over weight very easily as they will eat just about anything that moves...They are very active animals and mine loves to rearrange its cage daily...Also very intelligent creatures and they look at you like they are trying to figure something out about you lmao...I knwo that sounds strange but its very true, They are also quite the acrobats and mine will bi-pedal each time I walk into the room to see what I am doing or if I am bringing it anything...Simply put, If you have th emans and the patience, You can't go wrong but please keep in mind that monitors are very high maintence animals and will need daily attention...They aren't like keeping snakes and they will destroy thier cages and flip over thier water bowls and defecate in thier water regularly so it will need to be cleaned everyday pretty much...I have to cut this short for right now as I have an important phone call but if You have any more questions feel free to ask and I'll be more than happy to try and answer them for you

[Dachande]

from my experience with mine i would say stay away from this one if you have never dealt with monitors before. and tame is never applicable to a varanid. tolerant of handling (or human interaction) is the best you can get.
all monitors are individuals and learn through repeated experiences. mine has a nasty feeding response. but once out of the enclosure she is okay. just have to watch those claws. they get very long.
at full length you will still need an enclosure that is 8x4x4ft. females are smaller and fit better into an enclosure this size. males are larger and this would be a minimum. 4ft on height to allow for alot of dirt. ALOT of dirt. over 300lbs of it. they are hungry backhoes. when not digging, they are eating. very high metabolism versus niles and savannahs, they also grow quick. Mudd takes roughly 18-24 mice a week and she is almost 3 years old at 3-1/2ft.

in my own opinion they are the smartest of varanids and the highest capacity to learn. they'll keep you on your toes. i've rescued older niles that were easily handled compared to my argus that i've had since it was a month old. seriously research this and talk with other keepers before you purchase one and see if it is the right monitor for you. they are a handful, but rewarding.

as far as breeders there are classifieds online and N.E.R.D. has been known to breed panoptes. you can also inquire upon the flavirus crosses, which i hear are a step down in temperment and size.

[NicoleRussell]

I was looking into a flavicross a while ago and just felt like I was sellin out in some way...like if I couldn't have an argie...I shouldn't get a monitor....

[mo1416]

"18-24 mice a week" Wow

[prcdslnc13]

ill just say this my buddy and i had one. tame was not a word i ever used to describe him. someone once asked me to describe his personality. i said this "hes cool........ at 65 degrees, other wise watch out for flinging poo!!" he liked to do this nasty watery poo and then fling it off his tail when hes mad. lol