Changes

==Introduction==

==Introduction==

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.

[[Image:DSC01727.JPG|300px|thumb|right|'''Philippine water monitor (''Varanus cumingi'') at ZSL London Zoo''']]

[[Image:DSC01727.JPG|300px|thumb|right|Philippine water monitor (''Varanus cumingi'') at ZSL London Zoo. Clamy, RVC 2010]]

==Nile Monitor==

==Nile Monitor==

[[Image:Nile_Monitor.jpg|300px|thumb|right|'''Nile Monitor''' (© D. Gordon E. Robertson, WikiMedia Commons)]]

[[Image:Nile_Monitor.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Nile Monitor. D. Gordon E. Robertson, WikiMedia Commons 2009]]

Scientific name: ''Varanus niloticus''

Scientific name: ''Varanus niloticus''

==Savannah monitor==

==Savannah monitor==

[[Image:V_Exanthematicus.jpg|300px|thumb|right|'''Savannah Monitor''' (Photo credit: George Chernilevsky)]]

[[Image:V_Exanthematicus.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Savannah Monitor. George Chernilevsky, WikiMedia Commons 2008]]

Scientific name: ''Varanus exanthematicus'', four subspecies, the one most commonly found in pet stores is the ''V. e. exanthematicus''.

Scientific name: ''Varanus exanthematicus'', four subspecies, the one most commonly found in pet stores is the ''V. e. exanthematicus''.

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:Greentree_monitor_london.jpg|300px|thumb|right|'''Green tree monitor at ZSL London Zoo''']]

[[Image:Greentree_monitor_london.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Green tree monitor at ZSL London Zoo. Clamy, RVC 2010]]

==Other species==

==Other species==