New Timor

spix14 · #1 (**permalink**) 03-30-2008, 10:49 PM

Hello all, we just got our baby Timor Monitor. So far he seems to be settling in well, hot side temps are 108, cool side is 80, humidity is 65%, measured with an accurite. I'm trying to get his hot side temps up a couple more degrees, but he's in a 40 gallon breeder til we finish our cages so it's a pain. I've got a towel covering the screen top for now. I'm using the coconut husk bedding, but I've read that dirt is better to keep them on-what kind of dirt would I get, and where from? Last time I was in a garden center it seemed like all their dirt had pesticides and fertilizers added.

He's already eaten a couple of crickets, so I take that as a good sign. I haven't handled him at all, having read up on their skittish temperament, but he seems ok with my hands moving around in the cage. I held a cricket out to him and while he didn't take it he did smell my hand like crazy and actually almost climbed onto it. He at least doesn't seem to freak out just at my mere presence which I suppose is a plus, right?

So is there anything I'm missing? He's got branches to climb on and a hide on the warm side, a big water bowl and lots of fake plants on the other. Are Fake plants good enough for a hide, or should I put something else in there for him?

Thanks! Pics to come soon, I don't really want to bother him right now.

spike06 · #2 (**permalink**) 03-30-2008, 11:00 PM

i kno nothing about timors...but one thing i will say is ur basing spot should be at least 120..im pretty sure all monitors require the same basking spot....for hides, if u have a lot of fake plants it would be fine...but i would get one of the logs or somethin from the petstore.

LdyDrgn · #3 (**permalink**) 03-30-2008, 11:08 PM

50% organic topsoil and 50% cypress is a good mix for monitors.

Timors are really awesome lizards, just wish they weren't so skittish! Love ours to pieces.

Good luck with yours.

spix14 · #4 (**permalink**) 03-30-2008, 11:16 PM

Yea, I'm working on hiking up the basking spot...looks as though I may have to up my bulb wattage because it seems to be peaking at 112.

Here's a quick pic I nabbed while adjusting the probe a bit.

spike06 · #5 (**permalink**) 03-30-2008, 11:16 PM

hes a cute lil guy..how big do they get? 3-4'?

spix14 · #6 (**permalink**) 03-30-2008, 11:19 PM

Most of what I have read says 2.5 to 3 feet.

LdyDrgn · #7 (**permalink**) 03-30-2008, 11:20 PM

Our male is a few years old, he's *maybe* 18 inches... most of that being tail.

DRZRider · #8 (**permalink**) 03-30-2008, 11:32 PM

I saw a male once that was over 2 feet long. I thought it was a young mangrove monitor at first. I am glad that it is eating for you already. That is a definite good sign. I am sure you will enjoy the new monitor.

Ed

spix14 · #9 (**permalink**) 03-31-2008, 12:02 PM

So what size cage should I make for this guy? We are already in the midst of building our setup so I'd like to know what dimensions I need to build into it for this little guy. He's in a 40 breeder right now but I'm going to get rid of all the tanks when our setup is finished. I'll be so freaking happy when all the tanks are gone...having them every which way takes up so much space, it drives me crazy.

Also, does anyone know of a good monitor forum?

spike06 · #10 (**permalink**) 03-31-2008, 12:06 PM

are they arboreal? if they are id say 4x3x3, if they arent, maybe 4x3x2

patch · #11 (**permalink**) 03-31-2008, 12:36 PM

I've heard a 4x2x2 is fine for a Timor. I've been thinking about getting one of those little guys myself. Here in Vermont you can only keep a few monitors and the Timor has cought my eye.

razeraze · #12 (**permalink**) 03-31-2008, 12:47 PM

Here is a great monitor forum, but they are not good for answering beginner or semi experienced keeper questions.
V a r a n u s . n l
My advice would be to read a ton of posts there and use the search section for your questions before asking there. You can also learn a ton on these links:
Free varanid information

Spike: basking for a monitor should be 130+F minimum their metabolism is far higher than a bearded dragon or iguana and they do not like spending a ton of time in the open basking.

spix14 · #13 (**permalink**) 03-31-2008, 03:04 PM

He seems to be a bit of a mincer...I put about 6 crix in there for him. He ate two, waited a couple hours, ate another, waited a couple hours, ate another one...is that normal for a Timor? The Sav we fostered used to hog anything we gave him down in seconds and then look for more.

DRZRider · #14 (**permalink**) 03-31-2008, 04:08 PM

Build the enclosure at least 4 feet high if possible. They are aborial and spend most of the time high in the trees. 4x4x2 with plenty of hides and humidity is the minimum I would recommend. Aborial monitors seem to feel safer if they are above their keepers head.

DRZRider · #15 (**permalink**) 03-31-2008, 04:33 PM

Build the enclosure at least 4 feet high if possible. They are aborial and spend most of the time high in the trees. 4x4x2 with plenty of hides and humidity is the minimum I would recommend. Aborial monitors seem to feel safer if they are above their keepers head.

jtmoney · #16 (**permalink**) 03-31-2008, 06:57 PM

Very Nice Lizard

allergenic · #17 (**permalink**) 04-01-2008, 03:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spix14

I haven't handled him at all, having read up on their skittish temperament, but he seems ok with my hands moving around in the cage. I held a cricket out to him and while he didn't take it he did smell my hand like crazy and actually almost climbed onto it. He at least doesn't seem to freak out just at my mere presence which I suppose is a plus, right?

Yeah that's definitely good stuff. I've got a juvi Timor monitor and it's taught me the most about keeping monitors, and how to respect them and their space. They are definitely more skittish and less forgiving about the respect factor than others. Good animals though, they are.

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