Questions about monitors.

[dougie210]

Hi,
In february, i am getting a pair of WA ridge Tailed Monitors. I just have a few questions,
When adults, what meals should they have and how big of meals?
How big are they fully grown?
Does the URS red desert sand stain them?If so which sand should i use?
Is a 5ft long x 2ft wide x 2ft tall melamine, mesh lid ventilated big enough for a pair?
What should the hatchlings be kept in until big enough for enclosure above?
What things do i need in the tank, like what wattage light globe, what light,UV/UVA/UVB Lights, should i spray them daily? and other things like this?
And i have one more question, what WA species list of monitors are similar to the lace monitor, and how big is it?
Thanks,
Chris

 

[dougie210]

Bump any one?

 

[Dave]

Sorry Mate. I don't own any. But I know some things about em. URS Red sand is meant to be ok for them. That enclosure is big enough. They need 60c basking (around that) and I believe they do thrive with UVB (Some people don't use them I believe) That's all I know, sorry for no help. Try a search maybe.

 

[dougie210]

Ok, i will be trying to give my pair the best possible home for them, immitating natural environment sort of thing.What brands as well, and how many globes would i need?

 

[dougie210]

Any one guys?

 

[dougie210]

Bump again guys lol sorry just so eager to have answers

 

[hodges]

Ok please dont BUMP ever again- i have found many articles about the given topic, using the search engine on here and also on google. Sorry if i was rude but you are just so impatient.

 

[dougie210]

But the thing is i am talking about the WA ackies or are they the same size and all and need same stuff as the others?Oh and there are other questions to this thread

 

[richardsc]

5x2x2 is perfect for a pr,you could use 4x2x2 as well,also wa ackies are ackies like the rest of them,just a type locality,husbandry is the same weather there wa animals,alice springs animals or mount isa type,aim to have a basking spot around at least 50 to 60 degrees,under the light,the rest of the cage should be alot cooler,food if kept right,temps ect they are bottomless pits,they will eat like buggery,mostly insect based diet,use a vitamin supplement,uv isnt nessacary,uv tubes dont stop animals from getting mbd,its diet related,ill post a pic of my ridgey set up

 

[dougie210]

Oh ok thanks, umm what do you mean by food if kept right,temps ect they are bottomless pits??

 

[dougie210]

So yeah??

 

[dougie210]

bump

 

[richardsc]

meaning when kept hot enough,monitors have fast metabolisms,so need to eat heaps and heaps to keep on condition

 

[sweetangel]

i have 2 ackies in a 4x2x2 enclosure. i kept mine as hatchies in here although they do get a bit lost and its hard to get to them in the big enclosure.
I use a 160watt Oz bright light which has UVB/UVA light in one. and a 150 watt infrared night heat light.
My temps get up to high 60's on the very hottest basking point. hot end of the cage is at around 34 cool end is close to room temp but a bit warmer... they never go down there though.
They eat tones and tones of roaches, so far i havent used crickets yet, just because i breed the roaches (btw so easy to breed which you will need to do if u dont want to spend thousands on food) but i do know they love the crickets as my bf feed them to his.
i pretty much keep a small container of roaches in the cage at all times so they can eat whenever they want... this also helps stop fights for food in the cage as there is always some there. and if using roaches fluon will become ur new best friend as it stops the roaches escaping. you can get it off the herp trader
make sure there are lots of hides... they love to hide. and pretty much some kind of stack with different layers works the best.
i spray mine with water whenever they look like they are shedding or have lots of skin hanging. pretty much every few days say 4 or 5. if u spray it in dents in rocks they drink from the puddles
i use URS red desert sand... kinda makes them get a bit red but not really any biggie.

pm me if u have any other questions
and mine love to bite and they are fast buggers so dont let them get away from you

 

[richardsc]

ok people keep asking about ridgey set ups so heres some pics of mine,it measures 4foot 9 inches by 2foot by 2 foot,currently housing 2 males,my female died beteween clutches last season,couple of pics of my enclosure,also my large male,the only juvie i have left from last season,and my stoors monitor enclosure which is a 3 foot aquarium,added for a suggestion for raising juvenile ridgies,i used to raise all my juvies in that tank,plus a few more just like it

 

[dougie210]

Bump, so do you think a How many would fit a a 5ftx2ftx2ft or do you think thats to big for a pair??
Oh and what age do they have to be before going into this tank?>

 

[dougie210]

bump

 

[richardsc]

a pair would be fine in a 5 footer,u could keep a male and 3 or 4 females in it as well, but its best to keep a pair or trio,that way stress levels are lower and they dont need to fight for the basking area ect,i also like 5 foot at least in size to create a big temperature gradient,under the basking lite ontop og the stack is usually at least 75 degrees celcius,and its cooler again each level down,they seem to like to hang around the warmth the most,but do get away from it morer in hotter weather

 

[dougie210]

Hey thanks richard!
If anyone else could help that would be great too, and if anyone can reccoemend things to get and things to put into their tank would be good too, we will be building the tank and stuff, oh and if anyone knows how much it might all cost like a guestamate that would be great tooo!
Thanks,
Chris