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Intelligent varanus species?

M

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I would love to house a salvator however I just don't have the space for one. I am looking for a slightly smaller species that shows similar inquisitive and engaging behavior. Right now considering v dumerilii, v melinus, v panoptes. Ackies too however I am under the impression they are not as smart but still a rewarding species to keep.
 
Hello,

I’ve worked with a few different species of monitors. The smaller the monitor the more reserved they will be. You can overcome this with years of trust building. With the larger monitors I have found they come around a little faster, because they know they’re big and can defend themselves.

Now when it comes to intelligence I have yet to meet a dumb monitor. Once the monitor relaxes that’s when the intelligence kicks in. So in my opinion, any of the monitor species you’ve listed above are all smart and inquisitive once they’re not afraid of everything that moves.

Good luck and keep us posted on your choice.
 
Thanks so much! I work in a reptile shop at the moment so might just wait to so if an individual from any small or medium varanus comes through that I build a connection with! It's definitely a privilege to be able to look at a whole group day to day and see the little differences in characteristics between animals. We have a whole group of exanthematicus and one in particular is pretty bold. Wasn't even considering one of them but if no one scoops him up I might have to!
Will def keep you all posted.
 
Argus monitors are a medium sized species that are just as bold as the largest. Females stay withing 3' while males get to 5' on average but there have been larger.
 
Otto Glott said:
Argus monitors are a medium sized species that are just as bold as the largest. Females stay withing 3' while males get to 5' on average but there have been larger.
Click to expand...

We have a pretty cool panoptes and gouldii/flav cross in shop that is definitely intelligent. The panoptes are smart but not as cooperative from what I've experienced. Always thinking but typically thinking about food and not as much interested people I hear. It sounds like although some are more nervous, varanus melinus might be the closest to water monitor in their intelligence and curiosity.
It's a shame mertensi are so expensive and hard to find!
 
I disagree. My Argus is much more cooperative than a shy Indicus species that generally spends the first year hiding. My experience with panoptes is that they are up front and not afraid of anything. They are hungry and you have to limit their food intake but to be honest each individual monitor varies in temperament. You can get an asshole of a water monitor or a teddy bear of an Argus, I just like panoptes as they are the best overall and are such a strong and intelligent species.
 
I don't think any monitor is interested in us humans they are food driven as any wild animal. You may want to get an agamidae species of reptile if interaction is your top priority.
 
Otto Glott said:
I don't think any monitor is interested in us humans they are food driven as any wild animal. You may want to get an agamidae species of reptile if interaction is your top priority.
Click to expand...

I've had agamids! Just looking for the most interactive of the smaller varanids. I have worked with varanus salvator but don't have the room for one in my own peraonal collection so mostly trying to find the most similarly behaving smaller species if possible.
 
IME, most monitors can become interactive with their keeper, it just depends on how much effort you're willing to put in. Timors, for instance, tend to be extremely shy and reclusive, but with enough positive reinforcement (typically with food), even they can become rather accustomed to their owners and become inquisitive. It is the nature of all monitors.

Did you ever see that video where the intelligence of monitors was being researched? They used a savannah, which is touted by some to be the "dumbest" of the monitors. To be honest, you'd be hard pressed to find an "unintelligent" monitor rather than an "intelligent" one.

If you want something that stays a very manageable size, isn't extremely shy, but doesn't tend to be overly aggressive either, I second Otto in saying an ackie would be the hot ticket.
 
VaranidGuy said:
IME, most monitors can become interactive with their keeper, it just depends on how much effort you're willing to put in. Timors, for instance, tend to be extremely shy and reclusive, but with enough positive reinforcement (typically with food), even they can become rather accustomed to their owners and become inquisitive. It is the nature of all monitors.

Did you ever see that video where the intelligence of monitors was being researched? They used a savannah, which is touted by some to be the "dumbest" of the monitors. To be honest, you'd be hard pressed to find an "unintelligent" monitor rather than an "intelligent" one.

If you want something that stays a very manageable size, isn't extremely shy, but doesn't tend to be overly aggressive either, I second Otto in saying an ackie would be the hot ticket.
Click to expand...

Ended up with a red ackie! Very clever little species and it seems to actually enjoy interaction. Thanks for all the recommendations! Out of all the varanids I got to work with in the last month I really liked the ackies. I handled some timors, exanthematicus, and panoptes as well. Only the ackies waited at the front of ththe enclosure to be handled and once one was taken out of the cage the others crowded the door for their turn.

Pretty fun species to watch too. They're incredibly active and their interactions with one another can be pretty funny.
 
[email protected] said:
Ended up with a red ackie! Very clever little species and it seems to actually enjoy interaction. Thanks for all the recommendations! Out of all the varanids I got to work with in the last month I really liked the ackies. I handled some timors, exanthematicus, and panoptes as well. Only the ackies waited at the front of ththe enclosure to be handled and once one was taken out of the cage the others crowded the door for their turn.

Pretty fun species to watch too. They're incredibly active and their interactions with one another can be pretty funny.
Click to expand...

Good call! Ackies are wonderful little lizards.
 
[email protected] said:
I would love to house a salvator however I just don't have the space for one. I am looking for a slightly smaller species that shows similar inquisitive and engaging behavior. Right now considering v dumerilii, v melinus, v panoptes. Ackies too however I am under the impression they are not as smart but still a rewarding species to keep.
Click to expand...
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