So kriminal suggested an ackie as a beginner monitor because I was looking for more of a larger lizard that would be interactive because I've never had a lizard larger than a leopard gecko. So I know research is a MUST. I am just posting here to ask for some basic info/opinions on them before I get too into them and find out I can't take care of one for one reason or another.

thanks!

i would go with a blue tongue skink..or uro,those are good starter big lizards and very friendly

I Think these guys are great, And I know I want a monitor lizard, but the price of these guys has always detered me, even if after all the money you'll spend on caging, feeding and so on is factored in, they are still a bit pricey.
From what I hear they are awsome.
I know a few members keep some, they should chime in.

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They will require special attention to their heating requirements and enclosure design, get that right and they are easy to keep.

Telling from where your coming from, an acanthurus will be a huge leap forward. Although I do admit that they are the best choice for a starter varanid. So here are the basics for housing and feeding: An enclosure for a hatchling to a young juvie ackie should be at least 3x2x2ft. As they get older to thier adult size, they will need an enclosure of at least 5x3x4ft. The cool thing about ackies is that they can be housed together though most people only keep up to 4 in the same enclosure. Just remember that the more you house together the larger your enclosure must be (I doubt you'll want more than one to start with but just wanted to throw that in). Substrate should be deep enough so that they can burrow in. Like a foot or two will be good. A good substrate would be a sand and dirt mix. You can buy some play sand from your local homedepot and plain dirt from your backyard. Basking temps should be kept around 100-120 and an all around temp of 80. 70-60 for the cool side and at night. Feeding when still young should consist of a mainly insectivorous diet. You should feed vitamin dusted crickets, roaches, worms, pinkie mice, etc. daily until they appear full. When they get older, you should feed appropriate sized mice, roaches and larger crickets and worms. Basically the same stuff just bigger. What is fed to them is very important because it will decide how healthy they appear and how much they will grow. But when they reach their adult size decrease their meal size because if not they might get obese. These are just the basics, anymore questions just ask and i'll see what I can do.

Thanks a lot, where could I get worms and would there be a substitute for roaches, I'm not comfortable having them in my house? Do they go the bathroom in a certain area like leopard geckos do? How fast do they grow, what size do they usually average out at? And are they quick? How much does one usually cost and can you get them captive bred?

thanks

Reptile Forums - The HC Network - Ackies - Red and Yellow Caresheet (Varanus acanthurus)

You can substitute crickets for roaches but you will go through a lot more of them. I am considering changing to roaches for my Ackies because of this. They use the can wherever they please.
The trio I have are about 15 months old. The male is the largest at about 16 inches total length. One female is about 14" and the other around 12 inches. These are purebred yellows. Reds will be larger and can get 2 to 2 1/2 ft on average.
They are pretty fast but not lightning fast.
Depending on availability they will range around $200-$300. I would advise against the Reds unless you buy them from a reputable place that ensures you they are "true Reds" There are many crossbreeds between yellow and reds available now that are getting the Red Ackie pricetag.
They are all captive bred as they are natives of Australia and it is illegal to export them.

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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

How many crickets would I expect to go through in a week?

My bearded dragon I used to have, went through TWO DOZEN A DAY and that doesn't include all the veggies and worms she ate two.. I can only imagine what a 100% carnivorous monitor would go through.

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0.2.1 Leopard Geckos
0.1.0 Corn Snake
0.3.0 Green Frogs
0.0.1 Eastern Garter Snake
0.0.1 Green Tree Frog
1.0.0 White's Tree Frog

Depends on the size of the cricket and the age of the monitor. As they're reaching maturity (like the first year) they eat a lot. Feeding as big a cricket as they can handle will keep the costs down. It also depends on what else you're feeding. I also feed supers, frozen turkey(mixed with vitamins) and pinkies occasionally. I use roughly a box of a thousand per month for the 3 Ackies I currently have. That's not too bad. Costs me $30 a month for the crickets.
Once they get older they don't eat or need to eat as much.

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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