The mere mention of a monitor lizard can scare many people. Despite this, they can make a good pet for reptile enthusiasts, although it should be pointed out that it is not beginner-friendly. They are demanding when it comes to care and maintenance. You will need expertise to properly house a monitor at home and ensure its tip-top health.
If you are interested in taking care of a monitor lizard, you should know that while there are more than 70 species that are available, not all of them are ideal as pets. To know more about its care requirements, keep on reading the rest of this post.
Physical Characteristics
The physical appearance of the monitor lizard will vary depending on their type. Among others, the ackie monitor is one of the most popular as a pet, basically because it is small, making it easier to handle compared to other monitors. Adults are two to three feet on average. The coloration can be yellow or red.
If you are looking for a larger pet, on the other hand, choose the black throat monitor lizard, which can grow as much as six feet. They can also easily grow more than 60 pounds, so you will clearly need a large space.
The Savanah monitor is another popular choice for a reptile pet. The average size is three to four feet long. The average weight, on the other hand, is 30 pounds. The basal coat is tan, and it is also considered as one of the most attractive monitors, making it popular as a pet.
While there are other species of monitor lizards, most of them share the same physical characteristics, which include long necks and strong limbs. They also have sharp claws. Most of the time, their tails are half of their body.
Behavior
Despite being large, many of the monitor lizards are known for being shy unless they are threatened. Once they feel unsafe, they will demonstrate aggressive behavior, often in the form of tail whipping, biting, and scratching. Most of the monitor lizards are often on the move as they look for food, search for mates, run away from their predators, and find shelter. They are also known for having a sharp vision.
Environment
If you plan to take care of a monitor lizard as a pet, regardless of the type, they all grow quickly. With this, it is important that you have a large enclosure from the very start as it won’t take long before they will be able to outgrow the tank. At a minimum, the size should be 8×5 feet. Because they usually need a large habitat, most people build one on their own using wood and mesh, among other materials.
Aside from the size, another important part of the housing is the décor. Branches and leaves should be present to make them feel like they are in a natural environment. They should be large enough so that they will be appropriate for the size of the monitor.
Another important component of their captive habitat is UVB lighting, which should be turned on continuously for at least 12 hours a day. The best source would be sunlight, but since it is not available indoors, supplementing with the use of the right light will help. Basking spot lamps or heat emitting lights will also be great. Some of the good products to use include the Fluker’s Ceramic Lamp
and the Exo Terra Sun-Glo Intense Basking Spot Lamp
.
Aside from the lighting, the temperature in the housing should also be constantly monitored. To eliminate guesswork, you should invest in Etekcity Non-Contact Digital Thermometer
. It provides the ability to measure the temperature in a manner that is contactless. Ideally, the temperature should be 85 degrees Fahrenheit and 100 degrees in their basking spot.
Food and Vitamins
Monitor lizards are carnivores and insectivores. Many of them will swallow their prey whole. The specific foods that they eat, however, will vary in their size. Generally, some of the most common components of their daily diet include crickets, cockroaches, mealworms, shrimp, fish, mice, crabmeat, chicken, turkey, and eggs, among others. Commercial food in pet stores will also be a good part of their daily diet.
Like with other reptiles, calcium and Vitamin D3 will be needed by monitor lizards. They usually exist in the form of a powdered supplement that can be sprinkled on the top of their regular food. With this, one of the best products you might want to buy is the Zoo Med Vitamin D3
.
Aside from the food, you should also pay attention to the containers that are used. Because of their size, the container should be large enough, making it difficult to be knocked down. To keep the food and water in their position, use Pangea Acrylic Suction Cup Gecko Feeder Ledge
.
Health Problems
While they are known for being hardy reptiles, if you fail to execute proper care and maintenance, they can be prone to illnesses. For instance, they can be prone to burns, especially when they get too close to the source of light.
They can also suffer from calcium deficiency or over-supplementation, so make sure to keep an eye on its diet. Lack in calcium can weaken the bones and make the pet lose weight. Too much calcium, on the other hand, can poison the blood and can even result in death.
Other Tips for Taking Care of Monitor Lizard
When taking care of a monitor lizard, below are some of the most important things to keep in mind:
- These are pets that are not meant to be petted or handled regularly. They will become aggressive when you hold them. As much as possible, leave them on their own.
- They are known for being agile and smart reptiles, so be sure that they won’t be able to escape their cage. When you catch them, avoid holding them immediately as they will most probably resort into biting or scratching as a defense mechanism.
- Trim the nails regularly. The longer they get, the more they will hurt when they accidentally scratch you. However, especially if you are a beginner, trimming the nails is one thing that you should not do. It is best to consult with a vet.