My new Nile Monitor

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Just bought him today, picking him up from the store on friday, here are some pictures of him at the store, ill snap some more this weekend when i have his cage set up.

I'm really looking forward to bringing him home. was unsure about getting a nile, but when i took him out of his cage and handled him, he was very calm.

http://www.professionalmuscle.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=37352&stc=1&d=1276062252

 

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I just brought him home today, and hes doing really well. hasn't eaten the two pinky mice in his cage, but he was fed yesterday. when i first brought him home he was tail whipping me, so i left him alone for about an hour, and then he was completely fine, a little bit snappy at first but he calmed down really fast. i think im going to have a really easy time taming him.

http://www.professionalmuscle.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=37455&stc=1&d=1276322092

 

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hes still adapting but hes doing quite well so far. hes started to climb a bit, and he ate the two pinkey mice i gave him, while i wasnt around though. i can put my hand in his cage now without him going to whip, bite or even hiss for the most part. i can even pet his back, head and sides with him staying fairly calm. if i try to pick him up he is still skittish though, but thats to be expected with these guys. overall, hes starting to adapt quite well. Though i am a bit surprised he hasn't gone in the water dish i have for him yet.

 

[gibbob2]

nice. I used to have a few niles myself. Stupid question but you do know how big they get.... right?

 

[47yearoldman]

kill the damn thing

I live in Southwest FL .And thanks to you lizard lovers ,we have those Damn Monitor lizards(6'long/100lb) all over the damn place eating pets and killing off our native wildlife .. Your going to do the same thing ,when that Nasty Ass lizard gets to big and dangerous. You will just turn it loose somewhere on the side of the road. All of the invasive species of pets should be down right ILLEGAL and carry a severe Punishment to own or import.!!!!!!!!! And it all started because of someone just like you

 

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if i didnt know what i was getting into i would not have gotten the nile and gotten a tegu or savannah instead. i have owned pets my entire life and never once turned one loose or given one up and have no intentions of doing so. if it comes to the point to where i can not handle it, i will find a proper owner with experience for it, but i will NEVER, EVER turn it loose.i do know some people do that, but that is not me. i know full well how large he gets, and what potential he has to become extremely dangerous and i am prepared for that. if it got too nasty and i could not find a proper owner i would sooner have it put to sleep then turned loose. don't automatically make assumptions about people you have never met or even spoken to. i know there are people who go to pet shops and buy these guys impulsively because theyre so cute when theyre small not knowing how they get. that is not me. i researched them thoroughly before i made my decision.

 

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and those hundred pound lizards are closer to 50lbs. if they are 100 pounds they are extremely unhealthy.

 

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All of the invasive species of pets should be down right ILLEGAL and carry a severe Punishment to own or import.!!!!!!!!!

And people who think like this are the reasons im starting to hate this country. in california they are trying to ban the sale of boas and pythons i believe. I could understand them putting a much higher restriction on certain species of animals, but not outright banning them. Why punish those that can, and truly want to take care of these guys, especially when they are bigger, because some people are idiots? i wouldn't argue with putting laws in place to prevent any 15 year old kid buying one and bringing one home telling his parents he gets 2 feet long, only to end up with a 6 foot long monster and them making him turn them loose, but not outright banning them.

 

[BillHilton]

keep going

Don't let one ignoramus get you down. I had a nile -- had a really odd accident when he was little like yours. He jumped up and then landed on his butt, breaking his back, then he went down hill and died. Had a water monitor too. We still have a boa -- about 6 feet right now, and bearded dragons (GREAT pets, btw). We also have dogs, cats, a macaw, a parrot, cockatiels, and we have had other reptiles over the years. It is great that you appreciate life in its various forms. Enjoy and learn!

 

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Don't let one ignoramus get you down. I had a nile -- had a really odd accident when he was little like yours. He jumped up and then landed on his butt, breaking his back, then he went down hill and died. Had a water monitor too. We still have a boa -- about 6 feet right now, and bearded dragons (GREAT pets, btw). We also have dogs, cats, a macaw, a parrot, cockatiels, and we have had other reptiles over the years. It is great that you appreciate life in its various forms. Enjoy and learn!

im hoping that doesnt happen to mine. hes a bit shy. he only eats when he thinks nobody is watching him, and when i turn the lights off and he thinks im asleep he starts adventuring and jumping around. hes cute still, but im hoping he doesnt take too long to situate and get used to me so that i can start handling him more often and get to taming him a bit.

 

[47yearoldman]

Pythons and Boa's also infesting the Everglades

Don't let one ignoramus get you down. I had a nile -- had a really odd accident when he was little like yours. He jumped up and then landed on his butt, breaking his back, then he went down hill and died. Had a water monitor too. We still have a boa -- about 6 feet right now, and bearded dragons (GREAT pets, btw). We also have dogs, cats, a macaw, a parrot, cockatiels, and we have had other reptiles over the years. It is great that you appreciate life in its various forms. Enjoy and learn!

We also have a massive infestation of Pythons and Boa"s in the Everglades ..Thanks to you reptile owners turning them loose in the Everglades. Of course they are killing the indigenous species of mammals and reptiles. And we have now had to create a special Department and licence hunters to go out and try to eradicate the Everglades of your Pets. Get a Damn Dog or a Cat.

 

[BOOMSHAKER]

We also have a massive infestation of Pythons and Boa"s in the Everglades ..Thanks to you reptile owners turning them loose in the Everglades. Of course they are killing the indigenous species of mammals and reptiles.

Not to turn this into a politcal debate, BUT man himself has done more damage to more wetlands, swamps, rain forrests, lakes and streams, wild life, and the list goes on and on then any turned loose reptile has ever done to any natural eco-system. A reptile is doing nothing more then what it was intended to do from birth. The fact that it was turned loose in a un-natural enviroment has little to do with it. If it were in its own enviroment it would do the exact same thing. Dogs are turned loose on the streets everyday. They kill cats. Cats are turned loose on the streets and they kill mice. Mice are huge problem for many health reasons but they clean up a lot of the garbage thrown in alley ways and streets and sewers by man. It's a cycle.

Man dumps hundreds of barrels of illegal toxins in the ocean day after day. But because it's not in our back yard no one really cares. Until it is. Again, this is not a persoanl attack on anyone. But the truth is the truth. A few reptiles set loose will never harm the eviroment as fast as man can erode it.

 

[47yearoldman]

I agree about Man himself being the most Destructive creature on the Planet

But we have a very unique and specialized Eco-system here in Florida. The weather and Climate make it very easy for animals and reptiles that live in sub-tropical to Tropical environments to easily thrive here in SW FL. At the Present we Now have a terrible problem with Nile Monitor Lizards,Iguanas,Boa Constrictor and Python Snakes all Due to irresponsible Pet owners. These reptiles are a invasive and very destructive Species. They also Do Not have any Natural predators to keep their numbers manageable. So they will continue to breed Uncontrollably until they have eliminated all of the local/indigenous species.We can not continue to allow Pet owners to possess these animals ,just because they want a cool pet. This is a problem that can be stopped by making it illegal to possess or import these invasive and harmful species. The freedoms of a few Novelty pet Owners is not worth the price that our fragile Eco-system will ultimately pay.

 

[Dens228]

I just gave my 4 foot savannah to a exotic reptile company that does exhibitions at schools and youth groups. I was still well able to care for him but needed to make room for my long awaited Ackie monitor babies. Hoping to breed them. These ackie's only get to about two feet but think they're the baddest lizard on the planet.

I'll try to post photo's later.

 

[BOOMSHAKER]

I just gave my 4 foot savannah to a exotic reptile company that does exhibitions at schools and youth groups. I was still well able to care for him but needed to make room for my long awaited Ackie monitor babies. Hoping to breed them. These ackie's only get to about two feet but think they're the baddest lizard on the planet.

I'll try to post photo's later.

Just curious, can you buy these at a petshop? Or are these sold online somewhere? Do these fall into the category of what 47yOldman is talking about?

(again, just curious, i know nothing about lizzards so figured I would ask)

 

[johnnythunders]

hell yeah! those are sick! a buddy of mine has two of them. they definitely turn into huge monsters but man its cool to watch them feed haha

 

[Dens228]

By the category he's talking about, yes, they are an exotic species. From Australia. But they don't get nearly as large as Niles.

You may find them in a pet shop but doubtful unless it specializes in exotics.
I waited 18 months for my pair. I could have bought adults or older juveniles fairly quickly but wanted babies.

kingsnake.com and fauna classified has them fairly often. I got mine from a private breeder. They are always on the go, digging and exploring. Soon they will be in an 8 foot, by 4 foot, by 4 foot cage.

I got them three weeks ago today, they were 6 inches long, now they are 10!

When I was taking them out of the shipping box the male bit my finger and held on for 10 minutes, shaking his head every so often. Finally he got bored and let go. I really think the little bastard thought he could take me!