Author
2,954
edits
Changes
no edit summary
Monitors do not adapt to captivity well since they may require specialised diet and husbandry. The larger ones can be very dangerous. The giant species (Nile monitors (''V. niloticus niloticus'' and ''V. n. ornatus''), Salvador or crocodile monitor (''V. salvadorii'') and the water or Asian water monitor (''V. salvator'') need very large enclosures and have powerful crushing jaws and bites can result in very serious injuries. Adapting to captivity varies between species but most specimens are wild caught and mortality can be high. There is very little breeding achieved outside zoos and wildlife parks.
Monitors do not adapt to captivity well since they may require specialised diet and husbandry. The larger ones can be very dangerous. The giant species (Nile monitors (''V. niloticus niloticus'' and ''V. n. ornatus''), Salvador or crocodile monitor (''V. salvadorii'') and the water or Asian water monitor (''V. salvator'') need very large enclosures and have powerful crushing jaws and bites can result in very serious injuries. Adapting to captivity varies between species but most specimens are wild caught and mortality can be high. There is very little breeding achieved outside zoos and wildlife parks.
==Nile Monitor==
==Nile Monitor==
During the day, temperatures should range from 29-32ºC. At night, it can drop to 24ºC. Heat should be provided in two ways: a subtank or sub-substrate heating pad under half the tank, and a basking area. Heat tapes, incandescent lights and ceramic-heating elements are all suitable for providing heat. Use the combination as necessary to maintain the proper temperature ranges day and night. Space heaters are also very suitable.
During the day, temperatures should range from 29-32ºC. At night, it can drop to 24ºC. Heat should be provided in two ways: a subtank or sub-substrate heating pad under half the tank, and a basking area. Heat tapes, incandescent lights and ceramic-heating elements are all suitable for providing heat. Use the combination as necessary to maintain the proper temperature ranges day and night. Space heaters are also very suitable.
[[Image:DSC01793.JPG|300px|thumb|right|'''Green tree monitor enclosure at ZSL London Zoo''']]
==Other species==
==Other species==
*'''Mangrove monitor''' (''V. indicus''), which is 1.5m long and semi-aquatic. They are rarely fully tameable.
*'''Mangrove monitor''' (''V. indicus''), which is 1.5m long and semi-aquatic. They are rarely fully tameable.