Care Sheet for MonitorsAverage Rating Given To This Care Sheet Is 4.50 (1=lowest, 5=highest) Last Updated: 09/18/2011 |
Main Category: | Lizards |
Sub Category: | Monitors |
Care Sheet Submitted By: | BrazosReptiles |
Years Experience: | 5 to 10 Years |
Species: | Tree Monitors (Prasinus Complex) |
Other Species or Phases this Care Sheet May Cover: | Green tree monitor (Prasinus)
Yellow tree monitor (Reisingeri)
Blue tree monitor (Macraei)
Kordo tree monitor (Kordensis)
Black tree monitor (Beccarii)
Golden spotted tree monitor (Boehmei)
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Sexing and Characteristics: | When sexing a tree monitor it is always easiest to have a reference such as an actual specimen to compare to or maybe a picture. Males will tend to grow slightly larger and will have a bulge at the base of their tale, directly past the vent. The bulge is really the reproductive organs, the hemipenes.
Females will normally not reach the size of males and do not have any bulge or such at the base of the tail.
They are naturally flighty animals but with time and patience they can warm up quite nicely.
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Mostly Active During: | Day |
Substrate and Water Needs: | For substrate 1 part coco fiber to 1 part coco husk/bark. You should cover the floor completely and should be at least 5 inches deep. This will help hold in moisture and keep humidity levels up which is very important. The cage should be misted heavily 2-3 times per day. A water bowl should be placed in the cage but they will most likely just lick the drops of water off of the plants when you mist them. |
Lighting and UVB: | Tree monitors are diurnal not nocturnal so lighting is very necessary. They must have an UVB light for vitamin D synthesis. Without this MBD (Metabolic Bone Disease) is likely to occur. Which can result in permanent bone deformities and even death. A 5.0 would best suit them. |
Temperatures and Humidity: | Basking temps should b 110-120. (F)
Ambient temps should range from 80-90 (F)
If housing more than one animal, multiple basking spots should be available to them.
Humidity should NEVER be below 60%!!! I keep mine at a constant of 85. Never below that and sometimes higher. The prasinus complex originates from a cluster of island that all high very high humidity. A fogger/humidifier may be used to keep the humidity up as well as a hand mister. |
Heating and Equipment: | 100W Zoo-Med tight beam basking bulbs.
Thermometers.
Hydrometers. |
Caging Provided: | I house my pair of green trees in a 6x4x2 1/2. (HLW) The walls are lined with a coco fiber used by gardeners to provide maximum usable space. A 1x1x2 1/2 nest box is provided that they use for sleeping and laying eggs. Many branches should be provided for them to climb on as they are highly arboreal monitors. Vines and plants should be used to make the habitat and realistic as possible. The cage, if building yourself, should be sealed with a water resistant low odor sealant. I used "DryLok" It worked great. It applies like a very thick white paint and dries with virtually no odor whatsoever. |
Diet: | Carnivorous |
Description of Diet: | Crickets, Roaches, Meal Worms. A variety of worms may be offered but do not use them as a staple diet. They are not high on nutrition what so ever. An appropriate sized mouse may be offared as a treat. But nothing more than a treat. I only feed them once a month. MAX!! |
Supplements, Nutrition and Usage: | I dust with calcium every 2-3 days and a multivitamin once a week. |
Maintenance: | Spot clean the cage for feces. I total cleaning of the cage should be done once every 1-2 months. This includes new bedding and washing of plants. The whole 9 yards. |
Some Words on this Species: | This is a very rewarding species when provided the proper care. Hope you all have the best of success with them! God Bless!
P.S. My youtube name is "BrazosReptiles" go check me out! |
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