Peach Throat Monitor Care?

[Iggy189]

I was wondering if anyone can provide me with more info on peach throat monitors. I tried google and didn't really find much. I'm interested on info on substrate, basking temp, etc. If anyone has any pics of there peach throat setup or a similar monitor can you please post them. I just got a peach throat two days ago and I set it up in a temporary cage, but im looking for ideas to make it a custom tall cage. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[James.w]

Here is my Melinus and his enclosure.

Basking temps should be in the 130* range, for substrate I use dirt that I get from a landscape company here locally. Humidity should range from 40-90% throughout the cage. The general rule is to provide a large gradient in temps and humidity and let them choose what they want. My enclosure is 4x2x4 for now, but adult will be 8x4x6-8. Any other questions just ask.

 

[Iggy189]

Thanks for the the info. That's a very nice enclosure. For now im going to keep mines in a 75 gal tank and eventually build something when he/she gets bigger. I was thinking of using bark as my substrate do you have any experience using it? How do you like the dirt as far as cleaning goes? What material is your peachies enclosure made out of? What temp do they require on the side where the lamps aren't located?

 

[Iggy189]

One more question as I want to make sure im doing everything right... what do you feed yours?

 

[James.w]

It isn't a peach throat, but a yellow monitor. The enclosure is made of melamine (bad material for a monitor enclosure). Bark doesn't allow the digging and burrowing that they will do. My monitor generally poops in the water bowl, so cleaning is simple. Lowest temp in the cage is 75. For diet, I was feeding crickets, and fuzzy mice. Now that he is bigger I feed small mice/rat pups. He won't eat insects, and I am trying to find other things for him to eat, I plan on trying anoles and crayfish in the near future.

 

[Iggy189]

For now im going to set mines up in a 75 gal with soil as a substrate. Thanks for all the info.

 

[James.w]

Aquariums are generally very bad for monitors as they make it hard to provide a proper basking spot temp and temp gradient.

 

[James.w]

Put up some pics when you get it all setup, I would love to see it and the Peach Throat.

 

[Iggy189]

Aquariums are generally very bad for monitors as they make it hard to provide a proper basking spot temp and temp gradient.

Put up some pics when you get it all setup, I would love to see it and the Peach Throat.

I'm going to set it up tomorrow. I'm going to see if I can get the temps right before housing the peachie in it. I'll post back with pics when it's all set up.

 

[Gatorhunter1231]

Most likely have to cover the top up or make a wooden top in order retain the humidity needed.

 

[twgrosmick]

My Setup..

I got a little peach throat in a 75. You can do it just fine. As mentioned above cover 1/2 with wood ( i mount my fixtures on the inside on this part) and the other half I used plexi glass. Ill post up some pictures tomorrow when I am done. I don't keep humidity high throughout the entire tank rather I provide him with a very large box filled with dirt that is kept humid at all times. I have been keeping and breeding monitors for years and have found that to work just as well and less problems with wood warping (when you eventually need to build him a cage)

I have an adult peach throat housed in a 180 gallon and is doing perfect. Make sure basking spots are 110-120. I tend to find 130 to be on the high end but no lower than 110 for sure. Cool side room temp is fine. Kill all the heat/lights at night and as long as your cage stays around 80 you should be good. If needed you can put a under tank heater on the back of your tank to keep it warm at night.

Pics will be up sometime tomorrow as I am rebuilding his cage and spray painting the backs black for a cleaner look and to bring out his color in the cage.

Thanks

Tyler

 

[James.w]

I would love to see pictures of your setups Tyler. What monitors do you currently keep and what habe you bred?

 

[twgrosmick]

Today's Project

I just finished moving this little guy up to a 75 Gallon (here shows what I was talking about with using wood and the lights mounted inside) Make sure to vent so air can circulate. Seeing as he is smaller now I only have a small humidity box, but as he grows I will up the size. The only reason I have a red bulb on is because my house is older so at night it gets really cold in the winter. In the summer everything is turned off at night. The water dish is about to be switched over to a 15 qt. sterlite tub..

He is devouring some egg in the picture

I currently have a pair of argus monitors (have bred for me), an adult peach throat, the peach throat pictured, a caiman lizard, and a real young croc monitor. I am working on a hognose breeding project so the monitors are kind of on the back burner until the end of summer.

 

[James.w]

So Argus are the only monitors you have bred? Any pics of them and their enclosure?

 

[twgrosmick]

I have bred ackies as well. I don't keep the ackies currently though