Buying Monitor Lizards: A Beginner's Guide

Monitor lizards are fascinating creatures that can be purchased as pets or for breeding projects. They are known for their intelligence and carnivorous diets. If you're interested in buying a monitor lizard, there are several online retailers that offer a variety of species at different price points. These include the Savannah monitor, Nile monitor, Water monitor, and many others. When purchasing a monitor lizard, it is important to consider the initial cost as well as the ongoing expenses associated with their care, such as food and habitat maintenance. Additionally, it is recommended to buy from reputable sources that provide guarantees of live arrival and offer support for any questions or concerns you may have about your new pet.

Monitor lizard species

Monitor lizards are fascinating creatures, but they are not your typical domesticated pets. They are wild animals and can cause severe injuries. Therefore, it is recommended that you have prior experience with reptiles before considering a monitor lizard as a pet. Here is a detailed guide to some of the monitor lizard species that are available in the market:

The Ackie (Varanus Acanthurus)

The Ackie is considered the best monitor species to keep as a pet. They are a relatively small species, with adults averaging 2-3 feet in length, and they come in red and yellow colours. Ackies have excellent temperaments and are easier to care for compared to other monitor species.

Blackthroat Monitors (Ionides Monitors)

Blackthroat monitors are significantly larger than Ackies, reaching lengths of up to 6 feet. Despite their size, they are known for their docile temperament and are excellent pets for those experienced with monitor lizards. They can be quite trusting with their owners and are one of the most easily cared for monitor species.

Whitethroat and Peachthroat Monitors

These two species are similar to Blackthroats in terms of attitude and care. They may take a little more time to tame but are rewarding and make very nice pets. Whitethroats can grow up to about 6.5 feet in length, while Peachthroats can reach upwards of 4 feet.

Water Monitors (Varanus Salvator)

Water Monitors are one of the biggest species available, reaching lengths of 7-8 feet and weighing 60-70 lbs. They are surprisingly good candidates as pets for those who have the space and resources to care for them. Water monitors are intelligent, inquisitive, and interactive with their owners. They can be tamed quite well and are known for their docile and gentle nature.

Savannah Monitors

Savannah Monitors are a popular pet store species, typically growing to around 4 feet in length. They are known to be aggressive when young, but with proper care and kind treatment, most Savannah Monitors can become quite friendly. They are a common monitor in the pet trade but should still be treated with respect.

Blue-Tailed Monitor

The Blue-Tailed Monitor is named for the blue bands on its tail and can be found in Australia, New Guinea, and various islands. It can spend time on land, in the water, and in trees. This lizard can grow up to four feet in length and can be tamed over time.

Dumeril's Monitor

The Dumeril's Monitor is found in Asia and the islands of Indonesia. It may spend time in trees, on the ground, or in the water. This species can grow to around five feet long and has a dark brown colour with lighter bands on its back. Dumeril's Monitors can be tamed over time.

Mangrove Monitor

The Mangrove Monitor is native to Australia, New Guinea, and various islands. It spends its time on land, in trees, and in the water. This lizard can grow to be four feet long and has a black or brown colour with light spots. The Mangrove Monitor can become quite tame with time.

Nile Monitor

The Nile Monitor is a hardy lizard found throughout Africa, often growing to over five feet in length. It has a black or brown colour with rows of yellow spots. While the Nile Monitor is commonly available as a pet, it is known to be a difficult lizard to tame.

Ornate Monitor

The Ornate Monitor is a beautiful species from the forests of Africa, with a black body and rows of yellow spots, and a banded tail. It can grow to be over five feet long. However, it is often challenging to tame.

Ridge-Tailed Monitor

The Ridge-Tailed Monitor is a smaller species, native to the arid regions of Australia. It grows to about two feet in length and has a brown colour with yellow spots and a spiny tail.

Rough-Necked Monitor

The Rough-Necked Monitor is found in Asia and Indonesia, spending most of its time in trees. It can grow to over four feet in length and is a slender lizard with a semi-prehensile tail. While it is a timid reptile, it can be tamed over time.

Timor Monitor

The Timor Monitor is an active, tree-dwelling species found in Australia, New Guinea, and Indonesia. It is usually black with yellow spots and may only grow to about twenty inches in length.

Where to buy a monitor lizard

If you're looking to buy a monitor lizard, there are several online retailers that offer them for sale. These include Backwater Reptiles and Snakes at Sunset, which both offer a wide range of monitor lizard species, including Savannah monitors, Nile monitors, and Water monitors. Both websites provide detailed information about each species, including pricing, and offer live arrival guarantees for their lizards.

MorphMarket is another option, connecting buyers with breeders worldwide. This platform offers a diverse selection of captive-bred monitor lizards, although the specific species available may vary depending on the breeder. It is important to thoroughly research the breeder's reputation and ensure they adhere to ethical practices when considering purchasing from them.

Additionally, some local pet stores may carry monitor lizards, although the availability will depend on your location and the specific store. It is always a good idea to call ahead and inquire about their current inventory before visiting. When purchasing a monitor lizard, it is essential to consider the specific care requirements of the species and ensure you have the necessary resources and knowledge to provide a suitable habitat and diet.

Cost of a monitor lizard

The cost of a monitor lizard varies depending on the species and its age. For instance, Snakes at Sunset offers a range of monitor lizards at different prices, such as the adult Dumeril's monitors for sale at an unspecified price, baby rough neck monitors for sale, and baby Dumeril's monitors for sale, also at unspecified prices.

Backwater Reptiles, on the other hand, provides more specific pricing for their monitor lizards. For example, they offer the Savannah monitor for $49.99, the Nile monitor for $69.99, and the water monitor for $179.99. The price increases for the black throat monitor to $499.99, while the white throat monitor is slightly cheaper at $349.99. The green tree monitor is priced at $674.99, and the blue tree monitor is even higher at $1,799.99 for a pair.

The Argus monitor, captive-bred, is $499.99, while the yellow monitor is $329.99. The Timor monitor costs $199.99, and the Ackie monitor (Spiny-Tailed Monitor), captive-bred, is $474.99. The Peach Throat monitor is $399.99, and the Dumeril's monitor is $199.99. The Crocodile monitor is a significant jump in price at $1,999.99, and the Black Roughneck monitor is listed as a "fantastic pet species" for $249.99.

Additionally, Backwater Reptiles offers some of the more expensive monitor lizards, such as the Black Dragon Water Monitor, captive-hatched, for $2,499.00, the Black Tree Monitor for $599.99 per pair, and the Spiny-Necked Monitor for $1,399.99.

What to feed a monitor lizard

Monitor lizards are carnivorous and eat a variety of animals and insects. In the wild, their diet includes small reptiles, fish, birds, insects, crustaceans, arachnids, myriapods, molluscs, amphibians, small mammals, and eggs. Some species also eat fruit and vegetation.

The diet of a pet monitor lizard will depend on its size. Smaller monitors will need smaller food than larger ones, but all monitors should be offered a variety of different foods to ensure a well-balanced diet.

Insects such as crickets, mealworms, waxworms, cockroaches, and grasshoppers are a good source of protein and other nutrients. It is recommended to 'gut-load' these insects before feeding them to your lizard, which means feeding the insects a nutritious food that will then be passed to your reptile when eaten.

Commercially available monitor food is also an option and can be purchased at pet stores. This food is often soft, bite-sized pieces of high-protein food supplemented with calcium and other nutrients. It is a good option for adding variety to your pet's diet or as an emergency food.

Mice can also be fed to your monitor lizard, but it is important to get the correct size to avoid digestive issues. Frozen mice are a convenient option, as they can be easily stored in the freezer and thawed with warm water before feeding. It is recommended to feed your monitor pre-killed mice, as it is safer for your pet and more humane for the mice.

Other foods that can be added to your monitor's diet include fish, shrimp, crab meat, turkey, chicken, and eggs, which can all be fed raw. It is important to prepare these foods in bite-sized pieces or ground-up to avoid any issues for your lizard.

Supplements such as calcium, vitamin D3, and a reptile multivitamin can also be provided to ensure your pet is getting all the necessary nutrients. These supplements are usually in powder form and can be sprinkled onto your lizard's food a couple of times per week.

It is important to carefully research the specific dietary requirements of the type of monitor lizard you are keeping, as some species have very specific needs, while others will eat almost anything.

Monitor lizard care

Monitor lizards are large reptiles that require a high level of care. Here is a detailed care guide for anyone interested in keeping a monitor lizard as a pet.

Space and Habitat

Monitor lizards are native to Africa, Asia, Australia, and Indonesia, and thrive in a range of habitats, including deserts, forests, and savannahs. They require a spacious enclosure with ample room to accommodate their natural behaviours. The enclosure should be at least six feet long and two feet wide, with a screen lid to allow heat from lamps to flow into the cage. The key to a healthy monitor lizard is space—the more, the better. Terrestrial species, like the Savannah monitor, need horizontal space, while arboreal species, like the black tree monitor, require vertical space with plenty of climbing structures.

Temperature and Lighting

Monitor lizards require a warm environment that mimics the temperatures in their natural habitat. During the day, the enclosure temperature should be maintained between 95-100°F, with a basking area reaching 110-130°F. At night, the temperature can drop to 75-85°F. To regulate the temperature, you will need a heat lamp, a basking lamp, a warming pad, and a thermostat. The enclosure should also have access to full-spectrum ultraviolet lighting for about eight hours daily.

Humidity and Substrate

Monitor lizards require a humidity level of 40-50%. The substrate for the enclosure should be one to two feet deep and made of a mixture like plain potting soil and cypress bark, or eco-earth/clean dirt and sand. The substrate should be slightly moist for burrowing and to maintain humidity.

Food and Water

Monitor lizards are carnivores with a varied diet, including insects (crickets, mealworms, cockroaches, grasshoppers), small mammals (mice), and raw foods like ground turkey, chicken, eggs, fish, shrimp, or crab. It is recommended to feed pre-killed or frozen-thawed mice to your pet. A calcium and vitamin D3 supplement, along with a reptile multivitamin, should also be provided. Monitor lizards typically eat once a week as adults, but the frequency and amount of food depend on their age and health status.

Cleaning and Exercise

The enclosure should be spot cleaned twice a week, removing damp substrate and replacing it with fresh bedding. Every two months, a thorough cleaning is required, including scrubbing all décor and bowls. Monitor lizards enjoy swimming, so providing a kiddie pool or large tub with ramps for easy entry and exit is ideal. Ensure your pet has access to an enclosed space for daily exercise, such as a small garden or a closed-off room.

Health and Safety

Monitor lizards can live long lives, up to 20 years or more, but they are susceptible to parasitic infections and external parasites like mites. Regular veterinary care is essential, and it is recommended to have a mobile veterinarian visit your home, as these lizards can become stressed and injure themselves during transport. Additionally, monitor lizards may bite or whip their tails, so caution should be exercised, and any bites should be medically evaluated.

Frequently asked questions