Just curious, While looking through the local Craigslist, i found a add for a 2' black throated monitor up for adoption, I've seen them, even held them, and think they are awsome, I've always wanted a monitor, but was leaning toward a sav, though mainly because of size, and i've always heard there better for your first monitor, but the add got me just curious to look into some careseets.

While I don't think i'll get one now, though honestly, now I really want one, more so then a sav, there is a slight possibility I'd be able to get the okay.

I live at home, and have a large storage room in my basement, there is a chance I'd be able to talk my mother into letting me turn an unused part into enclosure. (though this would probaly mean I have to renovate another bathroom, and maybe even get around to running plumbing downstairs, lol)

I've read through quite a few caresheets, and there are massive differences in some of them, especially in regard to size.

I've read one caresheet that says they each need only a 4'x8' footprint cage, and some that say at least 12'x10'.

Anyone know of any good reliable caresheets for these guys?, and also, would anyone know how much space these guys really need?

I'm also wondering what the average, healthy, growth rate would be from this size? though Iknow how hard it is to provide an average growth rate.

Regardless, I think I've got myself hooked, lol, and though there may end up being no way I can get this one, I think I now know what monitor I may end up getting in the future.

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Black throats are great monitors and even though I strongly disagree with someone getting one of these as a first, I think it is possible to take care of it well as long as you really want and respect what you're buying. So, the 12x10 is much more recommended in my opinion. These monitors can obtain sizes 5ft+ and need as much space as possible. Housing it will be probably the most difficult part of having one of these monsters. He will need at least 2-3 feet of regular, no pesticides dirt as substrate like from your backyard or something. A basking spot of 100-120. I use 3 65 watt flood lights for my argus and it gets a really good basking temp. You might also want an infra red temp gun from pro exotics dot com. It makes things easier. Feeding and electricity will be the most costly part. For food at 2 feet(??) you'll need to be feeding him at least 3 mice/small rats daily or if not offer a few chics and roaches as well for variety. Well thats the basic stuff, if you have anymore questions just ask and I'll come back and check.

Thanks, there is still a rather slim chance I'll be able to get one in the near future, I think they're incredible animals, and it's tough, because I think all monitor lizards are awsome, and it's hard to pick one out of those I want, Of the monitors, A blackthroat is one which is the most tempting, followed by an Argus Monitor, and then maybe a savvanah. The biggest problem I'm faced with is space. I have plenty of outdoor space, and if I could build a insulated shed, would be able to build it as big as I want, but inside, I'm looking at about 8'x8' of space to work with, though I won't be in this house for more then 2 years, which is why I may have to wait till I move, unless I can build the shed.

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"Nobody can do Everything, but Everybody can do Something."

An outdoor enclosure would be ok if you enclose it completely so the heat does not get out. But if you are planning on moving soon, It's completely up to you if you would want to get one by then. In two years he will already be very large. I don't know what you want to do but waiting until you move might be your best bet. For a starter monitor that you will be able to keep for those two years and move without worrying too much would be an acanthurus. They stay small between 2-3 ft and are fun to watch. They are a bit pricey though. Argus' are good starting monitors as well as a sav. Its totally up to you. Good luck with your decision.

Thanks,
I Think the dwarf monitors are cool, but I'm really looking for something more handleable, (or at least less jumpy) and I've heard they tend to be a bit flighty, though that may be wrong. I do think ackies are a bit pricey, but when you compare what the animals will end up costing, its not as bad really. (The average Boa Constrictor will cost at least $3000 over the course of it life, A blackthroat eats considerably more then a Boa, even a large one) An argus is still tempting, and I would be able to comfortably house them.
What temperament do most argus' have, Are they decently available, and about what do they usually go for, also, on a side note, just curious, Does Yours Tripod up on its hind legs and tails, I've heard they will do this, and I'm just kinda curious.

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"Nobody can do Everything, but Everybody can do Something."

True, ackies are a bit jumpy when it comes to handling, But so is every other monitor species when first purchased. Its all a matter of trust. Give your guy time to get used to seeing you in non-offensive positions and feed with tongs. After they calm down with feeding, try hand feeding and with time you will have gained full trust of your monitor. Just don't hurry things by grabbing them and pulling them out. A bt will consume $3000 worth of food in a few months. In my opinion, argus' are one of the easiest of large monitors. At first they will try to bite and whip, but just give it time to get used you and realize that they can not live without you. A tame monitor is one that trusts you. You can find argus' being sold for $100-300 depending on size, condition, and vendor. And yes!! he does tripod! thats a golden detail with argus'.

Well, $3,000 in a few months is a bit of a overstatement,
If the diet was primarily pre-killed mice, and chicks, just over $3000 would get you 5000 xlg mice, and 250 chicks. Feeding 3-4 mice a day, that would last you well over 1,600 days, or about 4 and a half years.
I understand where your coming from with them being expensive to keep, and they are, but not quite as much as you think.

I am debating an argus though, I want a blackthroat more, but I could build a cage to house an argus comfortably in my basement.
I also however, don't really want a hatchling, I'm hoping to find one that has a bit more size, it would be great if I could find one from a rescue.

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"Nobody can do Everything, but Everybody can do Something."

Very true. So if you do get a rescue make sure it is healthy. Check for alertness, see if its eyes are the right color and opened wide, and ask what they have been feeding him and ask if you can watch him eat. Do this even if you get him from a shop. Good luck!!

I've seen countless times the mystique involved with the larger monitors. Unfortunately the adequate housing is extremely difficult.
Really from reading your posts I think you would be happy with a Savannah. Although good sized housing for an adult would still be 8-10 ft.
Very few people can handle housing the larger water monitors. Even fewer give them proper housing. It seems to elude them the part of the name where it says WATER. Hence they would come from an area where there is an abundance of water, wouldn't they?
When you think of their adult size and then think of the required pool they need. You're talking a huge enclosure.
I agree with you liking the Argus. They really stand out on their own as a species. Still I have no room for them either.
This post isn't directed at any one. I just started rambling as I often do about monitors.
I have dreams of building a shed myself for some of the medium sized species. But for now I am content with the Dwarfs. They may be smaller but they are awesome.
I have no trouble handling mine. They are not a lapdog though as perhaps the Savs can be.
There's so many other species I need to get yet. But yes they are not cheap. Mainly because they are Australian and there aren't that many people breeding them.
Tristis, Pilbara, and Kimberly. Some of the ones I hope to attain sooner than later. Then once I think I have enough experience, on to the Tree monitors.
Varanus fills all your needs and desires of lizards.

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Mike
"Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you." - Mother Teresa

These are all some cool rock monitors, but, yeah, they are pricey. And I agree about water monitors, They need HUGE enclosures, and there housing is very overlooked, I would only house Any water monitor if I could build them there own "greenhouse" style enclosure outside, And if I had the money, I'd do it, The works, a "river" abundant space, and plenty of foliage and branches.
That's one of the things that lured me to the blackthroats, was that they don't need a huge amount of water, just enough to soak there body in if they so desire, though I hear a healthy well kept blackthroat will rarely do this.

I think there definitely is some mystique involved with the larger monitor species though, I'd love to get one of the larger varinids, and in many parts, that is due to there size, just like people that enjoy burms or retics for there size.
I'd also love to get a little hatchling,and raise it up from being young, but I tried that with the B&W tegu, and the baby escaped from my hands, went into a storage room, essentially a "bottomless pit", and after a week of moving things around, from that room into my bedroom, it was still not to be found. I'll take all the bites from a rescue it takes for it to learn I'm not a threat, but Ii never want to lose another hatchling like that again.

I do occasionaly check the rescue sites, and one has a five year old Savvanah, I'm debating filing a application for it, from what I hear, the 8x8x4 enclosure I have in mind should work well, down the road perhaps I'll have the resources for a larger monitor.

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"Nobody can do Everything, but Everybody can do Something."