Research before buying

Sadistic_Muffin · #1 (**permalink**) 03-19-2008, 06:53 AM

Ive been thinking of getting a monitor. I had a Sav quite a few years back. Kept her for 4 years till my ex stupidly fed her some bbq chicken while I was away from the house one day. Which ultimately killed her since it was a whole drumb stick with bones and all. Not to mention the sauce on it. Anyways. Im thinking of getting another now that Im ready and looking at my options of different monitors. There is a lot to choose from as I can see, but I dont know which is right for me. Size is not an issue. I have plenty of room, time and patience. What is important to me is attitude. Im looking for the most managable in temperment. I know most monitors if not all have some attitude to them. So Im not expecting to find one that is tame as a puppy. But the closer the better right? Any suggestions?

crocdoc · #2 (**permalink**) 03-19-2008, 08:54 AM

I'm a monitor lover, but I'm going to recommend an Argentine tegu. They're captive bred, omnivorous and tame down very well.

As for your previous sav:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sadistic_Muffin

till my ex stupidly fed her some bbq chicken while I was away from the house one day. Which ultimately killed her since it was a whole drumb stick with bones and all. Not to mention the sauce on it.

I'd be willing to bet that it probably wasn't the chicken, the drumstick or the sauce that killed your monitor, at least not directly. It may not have had a hot enough basking spot to digest the bones properly. Unless there was some hitherto unknown mystery ingredient in the sauce that kills monitors but not humans, a healthy monitor would be able to digest all of the above (and probably even pass or regurgitate the foil the chicken was wrapped in).

Sadistic_Muffin · #3 (**permalink**) 03-19-2008, 09:02 AM

I assumed it was the chicken he fed it cause he called me while I was out and told me something was wrong with her. I got home and she seemed to be choking. I asked him what happened and he said he hadnt done anything other then feed her some chicken. He was fasinated with how easily she could swallow things hole. I had got onto him quite a few times for giving her "human" food. Like hotdogs and bacon. I tried to rush her to the vet but she died before we got there. It was sad =(

Sadistic_Muffin · #4 (**permalink**) 03-19-2008, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crocdoc

It may not have had a hot enough basking spot to digest the bones properly.

I still have the tank I had her in. I use the phrase tank lightly. Its a 8ft long x 4ft wide x 3ft tall enclosure that was custom built for monitors. Only one vent on the cool side of the cage, and two heating elements on the warm side.

spike06 · #5 (**permalink**) 03-19-2008, 11:54 AM

im gonna say tegu as well..if u get an argentine they do tame down quite nicely. i have never heard of an agressive adult argentine tegu

DRZRider · #6 (**permalink**) 03-19-2008, 04:01 PM

I am sorry to hear what happened to that savanna. You have a good size enclosure for many types of monitors. Argentine tegus have great reputations and can be found captive bred! Let us know what you choose to get.

Ed

Sadistic_Muffin · #7 (**permalink**) 03-19-2008, 07:27 PM

I was looking up on the tegus last night that yall suggested and found something called a blue tegu that really caught my eye. What is yall's opinon on those?

razeraze · #8 (**permalink**) 03-19-2008, 10:36 PM

I agree with Dave and Ed, Tegu are the Red tail boas of the lizard world. Monitors are more like the African rock pythons of the lizard world.

The best thing I learned from my monitors is the bigger the monitor, the more damage it can do to you. So depending on how much you are willing to "turn the other cheek" when you need reconstructive surgery, or a cast will have a huge impact on what you should be getting.

As much as I love monitors and people getting them "temperament" should never be the reason for getting one.

spike06 · #9 (**permalink**) 03-19-2008, 10:39 PM

as far as i kno, blue tegus are the same as argentine as far as temperment, etc.

Sadistic_Muffin · #10 (**permalink**) 03-19-2008, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spike06

as far as i kno, blue tegus are the same as argentine as far as temperment, etc.

Thats good to hear. I was hoping they would be. Really pretty looking animals from what Ive seen. Does anyone know about how much you can expect to pay for a blue tegu?

Ophiophilia · #11 (**permalink**) 03-19-2008, 10:52 PM

I'd also recommend a Tegu.

Arg. Reds and Arg. Black and Whites are the best from my large amount of research. I'd personally go for a Black and white Arg. cause they're just so beautiful.

But whichever you prefer. I Really need me one of those.

Edit: Red and Arg. B&Ws are however the largest. The cage min. is 6x3x3 so I think your current cage size is perfect

GOOD LUCK

spike06 · #12 (**permalink**) 03-19-2008, 10:54 PM

blues will run you at least $250. i kno of 3 tegu breeders, 1 of which breeds blues. Sisco Reptiles - SiscoReptiles.com - Maine breeder of high quality reptiles. hes a nice guy with nice, TAME, tegus

Sadistic_Muffin · #13 (**permalink**) 03-19-2008, 10:57 PM

Ah yes Sisco. I wrote him an email last night. He didnt have any for sale at the momment so I asked if he had a list I could get on. And what he would charge. I havent heard back from him yet.