Lots of the pet monitors are cute when they are babies, but grown into large and aggressive beasts that are difficult to contain. Not only that, but some species are highly intelligent, problem solvers that can figure out how to escape and wreak havoc on their owners.
There are some reptile shows in the Baltimore area, including a monthly expo in Havre de Grace. It is a good idea to get an animal directly from the breeder so you can find out details about its care. You can see monitors, food and sometimes caging at reptile shows.
Probably the most common pet monitor is the Savannah monitor (Varanus exanthematicus). They are inexpensive, but can grow to five feet in length. As with most monitors, they eat mostly insects when they are hatchlings and eat larger prey, like rodents, as they grow. They can be feisty as hatchlings, but normally calm down as they get bigger. Small lizards have a survival instinct as they are prey for larger animals. That would make anyone angry.
One of the biggest health issues with monitors is fatty liver disease. Pet owners tend to overfeed these animals and they become obese. If they don’t have adequate cage space, they get no exercise and become fat. Feeding a poor diet, such as processed meat, is also a problem. Charm City Reptile Rescue once received a Savannah monitor that had been fed a diet consisting of nothing, but hot dogs for several months. The feces were disgusting and runny. The hot dogs did not leave its system completely for weeks.
Black throat monitors (Varanus albigularis) look very similar to Savannahs, but they get a lot longer. They have the same issues as Savannahs with obesity. Their long toes give them the ability be be great climbers. Most have a pleasant demeanor, which attracts people interested in monitor lizards.
Last, but certainly not least of the more commonly kept species, is the Nile monitor (Varanus niloticus). The hatchlings are very inexpensive. Some individuals claim to have “puppy dog tame” specimens, but many are aggressive. Whether they are normal or ornate Nile monitors, they can have personality traits that are unwelcome! People seem to love to watch baby Nile monitors chase down and smash crickets with their teeth.
As the animal outgrows its cage, often times the owners lose interest and don’t want to spend the money to get a bigger, more appropriate cage. The best pet owners do their homework ahead of time. It is a good idea to get a book on the animal beforehand and have the cage ready before you get the animal. Monitors can be great companion animals if they have the proper husbandry and diet.
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