Nile Monitor Gourmet Cuisine.

[morti]

With most reptiles out there, everyone aggrees what and how much you should feed. Boas for instance are very straight forward - Feed them one appropriately sized prey item ever 1-2 weeks depending on the age and size of the snake. You can read any of a dozen care sheets that will tell you the same info. It seems that there are a lot of differing oppinions on monitor care though. I just want to know a couple of things from you lizard experts:

My monitor is an Ornate Nile...

1) What do you feed your nile monitors?
2) How often do you feed them?
3) Just how fat is a healthy nile supposed to be?
4) What is the Meaning of Life?

Please help me with this info and when I have compiled all this with everything else I have read and everyone else I have talked to, I will probably write a care sheet.

Thanks in advance for you help.
-Morti, Monitor Mentor. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_cool.gif[/img]
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[LdyDrgn]

I know the answer to Number 4...but I think I'll let everyone else puzzle it out first. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]
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[Ravnos]

When I had my ornate, she was 3 years old and I fed around 3 times a week. Plus she was the trashcan and got any leftovers from other animals that didn't eat. I didn't have her that long, so I can't really give a size/growth comparasin, but monitors really vary depending on their activity level, their age, and their temps. Right now, my savannah eats 2 or 3 times a week, plus trashcan duty.

Babies, I offer crickets, mealies, other insects almost daily, of course, only what they'll eat in a few minutes and then offer pinks a couple times a week. Once you get to yearlings, and larger rodent food items, I'd go to 3-4 times a week... all dependant on how active your lizard is and how their growth rate is. I still like to give crickets to larger monitors, it is great fun to watch them chase them around.

I don't know how to say exactly how 'fat' a healthy nile should be, but monitors should be well muscle toned. Not pudgy or flabby. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] Of course, that comes back to activity level too. Many monitors are kept in relatively small cages and they don't get the exercise they should so even if they are getting a good diet, they're not working their muscles to keep fit.

And finally, the answer to Life, the Universe and Everything is 42.

Dunno how helpful my opinion is, but hey I have nothing better to do at the moment than post. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Rav
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The darkness might conquer, but it can never extinguish hope. And though one candle, or many, might flicker and die, new candles will be lit from the old. Thus hope's flame always burns, lighting the darkness until the coming of day.

[morti]

Rav, your oppinion is always worth reading. I just like to get a lot of different info so I don't have to make it up as I go along. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]

-Your Sick Uncle Morti.
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[Ravnos]

I always make it up as I go... it makes it interesting that way. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]



I was discussing with the reptile keeper at the San Antonio zoo about feeding the komodos. And they frequently like to throw in whole white rabbit carcasses to let them tear them apart. Says it keeps them amused. Coincidentally, this is also why they don't recommend wearing white sneakers when going into the komodo cage. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

Rav
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[LdyDrgn]

Rav, here is a good photo for size/weight:


Kate, the Commode Dragon


And here she is trying to wash her paws after flushing.... [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif[/img]

Isn't she adorable? [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

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r-u-n-n-o-f-t

[morti]

Isn't that cute? She's learning to Flush! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]
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[storm]

I'm just glad that's your bathroom Morti, not mine! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]
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[LdyDrgn]

*bump*
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[Ed_r]

I agree with the trash can feeding too. I also offer whole boiled eggs. In the wild they ravage croc nests and devour the eggs. Occasional fish is good, cooked chicken or turkey. A rodent of size for them to just swallow whole. If prey is too large they tend to tear it apart and make one messy clean up. My buddies Argus monitor is notorious for that, specially if fed quails.

3 Times a week is a good schedule for feeding.

A healthy Nile is an active Nile. Niles never really get fat, like a savannah. They normally are too active to get that way. You can tell if he is doing well if his tail is nice and meaty. It shouldnt be real flat, but not round either, A slightly compressed tail is normal.

Meaning of life is we are all just gods playtoys here for his/her amusement.
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A man's life is like a 3 ring circus: 1st the Enagagement Ring, 2nd the Wedding Ring, 3rd the Suffer Ring!!!