Asian water monitor?

[Rhian]

Hello!

We have had our 2 leos for a few months now, and are now hooked on reptiles! We've been researching different types of lizard and reading the forum, and I think we will be getting a bearded dragon some time soon!

However... theres a few pet shops around here, which are all horrible and they make me sad to go in them, but we popped in one today on the way home as we needed some things for the leos... and this shop had an asian water monitor... we could hardly see through the front of the tank it was so dirty, but the tank looked so small the monitor was bent in half as it couldnt fit in it and it looked very thin... we rushed home to have a look on the internet as we had never read about one of these, but they do grow too big and it doesnt sound like it makes a good pet which is sad as I would have loved to save him from the evil pet shop.

Sorry for the rant! My question is... what other types of lizards would you recommend, that are easy to handle and don't grow too big? We were also looking at berber skinks? What are these like to look after? Or would I be best with a beardie?

Many thanks Rhian

 

[Nigel4less]

If you guys are looking at other Geckos I would recommend African Fat-Tails, Crested Geckos, or Gargoyle Geckos. Beardies make great pets but require Quite a bit of upkeep.

 

[T&KBrouse]

I am proudly owned by a beardie. (Yup. She rules the roost)
They have wonderful personalities!

We also have a leo, a uromastyx and 2 savannah monitors. The uro is a bit on the high strung side and the savs, well, Joanna is very sweet, but Rocko, we anticipate being 5 feet of nasty. (Monitors seem to be a bit of a "hit and miss" with their personalities)

 

[ReptileMan27]

Beardys, blue tongue skinks,AFTs..

 

[Rhian]

thanks for your advice everyone i think a beardie will be the next addition to the family then hehe, just got to save up some money for a new vivarium now!

 

[Kristi23]

I agree with the bearded dragon suggestion. Our male is super sweet and full of personality. I just love him!

 

[Tiny chibi]

I really like how lovely crested geckos have sweet little smiles, they were my first reptile

 

[Gregg M]

Asian water monitors (Varanus salvator) do not make good pets... Depending on locality they range in adult size from 4 to over 8 feet... They should be left to keepers with good experience and a lot of room to house one... They need huge custom built cages... They also have a huge eating habbit... It can be quite costly to keep them... They grow fast and are not always the easiest to handle... Good on you for not buying it... You would have been way in over your head...

If you like monitors, I would suggest red or yellow ackies... They stay small and are easy to keep and they breed readily in captivity... Personally, I think they are cooler and much easier to care for than bearded dragons... They are super active and usually "tame" down quite well...