black throat monitor questions

[TammyJamaica]

This is a REALLY informative and interesting thread! Don't stop.

[devine*]

my basking temp is at an average of 140 in one spot and down to 120 at the base of his ramp, I find he likes to lay with his belly right under the lamp at the 140 zone and his tail and head kinda sloped down the side. I've also got a fern plant draped over one side of the ramp which acts as a slightly slotted shade should he choose to use it. how many lamps are you currently using in the basking zone? (and watts too if you know them) and approximately how close are they?

[Chris.M]

i am using 2 repti glow (or something) 150W bulbs, they are about a foot away from the basking spot

[Chris.M]

Oh, i have a question: Sai is not eating.. he got lost for a few days, after which i put him in his new enclosure (irony: got lost while building new tank), and since then he is not eating..... could this be because of stress? he does not look very thin, but at the same time i am kinda worried it could be something other than stress....

[devine*]

when I first got mine he wasn't eating either, everytime I would try he would just hiss and whip. he was deffinately stressed out because of the move. I would stop handling your guy, he's probably really stressed with so much enclosure changes anyways. hopefully it's only stress, but stress can affect your relationship with him down the road so deffinately give him some space right now and if he looks sick, lethargic or anything else seek vet advice. an unnessesary vet visit could mean more stress, so monitor him closely without interupting him too much. and keep us updated on his behaviour, good luck!

[razeraze]

Definitely stressed, give it at least 2 weeks before you start worrying.

[EricIvins]

Instead of using two mega watt bulbs, use a bank of three or four 30 watt indoor Floods. This will give you a basking spot of 140 degrees at 6-10 inches below the bulbs, depending on your ambient temperature. Instead of compensating for heat loss by upping the wattage, move your basking spot closer to the bulbs. The key thing here is to spread the basking area over the Monitors body, which contrary to popular belief, will prevent burns. Monitors are full body baskers, unlike Snakes that can use a small % of their body to heat up.

[razeraze]

Originally Posted by EricIvins

Instead of using two mega watt bulbs, use a bank of three or four 30 watt indoor Floods. This will give you a basking spot of 140 degrees at 6-10 inches below the bulbs, depending on your ambient temperature. Instead of compensating for heat loss by upping the wattage, move your basking spot closer to the bulbs. The key thing here is to spread the basking area over the Monitors body, which contrary to popular belief, will prevent burns. Monitors are full body baskers, unlike Snakes that can use a small % of their body to heat up.

6-10 inches is dangerously low for an adult alibigularis. You can expect broken bulbs and burns at that level. I recommend the basking spot be at least 12 inches away if not more.

[Chris.M]

OK well he has eaten again, so i'm relaxin a bit.... but wow you can not understand the strength just by handling him.... like wow, he tore off the screening from the door to escape, he pushed on a loose joint to get out.... wow, creative little monster

[devine*]

be careful he doesnt get hurt with all his little escape attempts! my guy hasn't tried to escape yet... I don't think he could but he hasn't tried anyways. He's usually chillin or diggin tunnels somewhere. I never seem to spot him right away and always think he's escaped, but he's usually just stuffed up in some tiny endeavour within his enclosure lol.

[Chris.M]

lol well i'v figured that sai does not quite hate everyone, he is just hyper 24/7 and loves to explore... seeing as he never bites, and has only whipped my room mate so that could be the reason for his many escape attempts.... but usually when he escapes we let him roam the room for a bit.