New to the Site

sams43 · #1 10-17-2004, 11:18 AM

Hello to everyone. This is my first post on this site and from what i have been reading it won't be my last. Ther is so much info on this site! Anyways, i am looking into a monitor and i was just wondering if you guys could help me out with some info on these lizards. I want a small one maybe some kind a darwf or somethin, but one that enjoys being handeled. I was thinking about choosing one of these four...Kimberly rock monitor, ridge tail monitor, ackies monitor, or a timor monitor. Can i have any info that any of you can come up with. Also which one do you think will do me best.

thank so much

sam

SavyGirl · #2 10-17-2004, 05:42 PM

I'd start with an ackie. just personal preference.. i have a savanna and that's what i started out with... and they are the easiest to take care of that i can think of.. and if you play your cards right, they tame down REAL well.. but that's what i say!

Max2008 · #3 10-17-2004, 05:44 PM

Hey, welcome to the forums, if you want a small monitor, ackies are your best bet, they are super active, almost like squirrels, they love to come out, and are really intelligent. If you need more info just let me know

jon m · #4 10-17-2004, 06:28 PM

hey sams43, a ridge tail and an ackie are the same thing ( acie is short for varanus acanthurus which is the ridgetails latin name). if you want a monitor that you can hold I would go for an ackie, I have always heard that timors are very flighty monitors so they might not be the best choice for a beginner. I have an ackie myself and I would definatle recomend them. they are very active fun little lizards and they dont really need all that much space depending on what type you get. if you are not to worried about coloration I would go with a yellow ackie ( the 2 types are yellow and red) because yellows are less expensive and it is said that reds can be more fiesty than yellows (my ackie is a red and he is definatly a fiesty little bugger lol). you can succesfully keep reds or yellows in 4 foot cages thier whole lives and their main food source is crickets.

jon m · #5 10-17-2004, 06:37 PM

and also another downside to the kimberly rock monitor is they are super expensive, from what I've seen they're like 400 to 700 bucks each

tanner · #6 10-17-2004, 07:13 PM

I'd either get an Ackie or a Sav, it's your choice. I wanted a medium sized (3-4 ft) monitor so I got a Sav for my first monitor and he is the coolest thing since sliced bread.

If you do get an Ackie, I've heard its best to get a pair or more cause they tend to get lonely if single. Plus, their fun to watch interact with one another.

Good Luck and Welcome to the forum!

jon m · #7 10-17-2004, 08:35 PM

here is a great ackie care sheet:
http://proexotics.com/care_ackie.html

sams43 · #8 10-18-2004, 10:28 AM

I have been reading a lot on ackies and i think that will be the one that i will get. Probably a yellow because they are less expensive. I will probaly get it sometime around December, i still have a lot of researching to do plus i need to save up enough money to build a cage and by my little guy..or girl. Thanks so much for your help.

sams43 · #9 10-19-2004, 02:58 PM

thanks to every one for all of the info. i have decided to go w/ and Ackie. Jon- i have read that care sheet and it is def. the best care sheet on ackies. I still wont get it til' some time around christmas. i have to save up some money and research. If any of you have ackies i would love to see pic of your monitors and cages.

thanks again.

sam

sams43 · #10 10-20-2004, 02:39 PM

what is a good substrate to use for the bottom of my ackies cage?