Suncoast Herpetological
Lurking in the Shadows
SPJ said:
One of his previous posts on Fauna states that he moved from Florida to "The Big Apple"
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Responding to email notices you receive.
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In short, DON'T! Email notices are to ONLY alert you of a reply to your private message or your ad on this site. Replying to the email just wastes your time as it goes NOWHERE, and probably pisses off the person you thought you replied to when they think you just ignored them. So instead of complaining to me about your messages not being replied to from this site via email, please READ that email notice that plainly states what you need to do in order to reply to who you are trying to converse with.
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IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ!! About the Google Adsense ads being displayed
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Posted 08/15/2025
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Yeah, I know. They are a pain in the butt. But they pay the bills to keep my server running. Just a fact of life, I am afraid.
Want to get rid of them? Simple. Just become a Contributor level member or above and they will be gone. -> Please click HERE."
Is that too much for me to ask of you to keep this site running? Well, sorry about that. I too wish I could get everything for free. But alas.....
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Addendum: 01/10/2026
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Google Adsense ad revenue for December, 2025 was just $30 over the cost of the lease for the server running this site. So, in effect, the money providing the incentive for me to continue running this site is coming SOLELY from the paid memberships and sponsorships here. Which honestly ain't much....
Rare Monitors up for Adoption
- Thread starter BILLY WILLIAMS
- Start date
- Status
One of his previous posts on Fauna states that he moved from Florida to "The Big Apple"
BILLY WILLIAMS
New member
an explanation
My original intentions of this thread were not of what it turned out to be, and I will elaborate a bit on this for all of you. I was more than willing to pay my fine/penalty (as I had violated the TOS(as did several others, I'd imagine)), as I feel that I should offer an explanation for such a post, being that people are making assumptions about my motives.
As you have seen through the links posted here on this thread, I have created a purely informational website(no business, no animals for sale, nothing to gain, etc..), dedicated to both the natural history and captive biology of the Varanus prasinus complex. I am constantly adding information, and materials to this website, as I am able to collect it, or as people contribute it. One of the new additions that I plan on adding to the website(in fact a new version of the website will go online in another week or so), is a segment which is dedicated to prospective buyers of these extremely frail and fragile animals. I feel that this is an important aspect of their lives in captivity which is not currently included on the website. Included in this segment will be various tips and advice regarding purchasing these animals, however a large focus that I will incorporate is a word to prospective buyers.
It is all too often that these animals(and this goes for many other herp species as well) are bought on impulse, solely for their beauty, without any understanding of their biology, or care in captivity. Tragically, these monitors do not tolerate keeper error, mistakes, or stress, and are quick to succumb to the effects of improper husbandry and general lack of knowledge of these animals. Over the past few years I have also collected several interesting emails from these such people, which outline the mistakes that so many people make through impulse purchases, and without having any prior experiences with similar species/situations.
One of the two reasons I had originally made this post, was to create an informal 'survey', in which I can easily view people's thoughts, beliefs, and understandings(or lack thereof, as this thread turned to show) of these difficult-to-keep animals. It was my intention of incorporating many of the responses I was destined to receive by this post, in this particular section of my website which I am currently working on. My plans are to highlight and elaborate on many of these common misunderstandings, and potentially harmful/lethal husbandry practices-and their role in utter failure of this group of monitors. Many of the responses and quotes received here were to be listed in this particular section of the website(without using any names of course). Here I explain what I was looking for in an 'applicant's' response, which would give me the information I was looking for, for my survey/study:
"If you are interested in taking on ALL of these monitors, please respond to this thread below with your level of personal experience, prior monitor experiences, accomodations which you have available to house these animals, and why you think I should choose you to be the new keeper of these rare and amazing animals."
The second reason for this post, was to conduct a survey to find out what percentage of the people likely to respond to this post are motivated and driven by monetary gain, as opposed to those who are true hobbyists. I have become utterly disappointed with what I have seen happen to herpetoculture over the past decade. It has 'morphed' from what was once a hobby built upon enthusiasm and interest in studying one's captives, to an industry built upon monetary gain and greed. Many different 'niches' within this hobby are almost primarily fueled by one's own self interest/betterment($$$$), such as the ball python "industry" for example.
The second part of this post was to see where lizard enthusiasts stood on this very same issue regarding monitors(one of the least prominent "hi end" sectors of this industry). It was clear that there were both types of people who responded to the thread, from what I was able to make out. Because I was looking exclusively for hobbyists, and their take on these animals, I specifically posted:
"NO DEALERS".
Of all the candidates who responded, in my opinion, there were less than five individuals who truly were up to such a challenge with such fragile and demanding lizards and had any basic understanding of what these animals are, how they live, and what they need. This truly offers me some great insight into the background behind many of these fateful tree monitor purchases, and was exactly the type of information I was looking at getting through this thread. Such things as housing tree monitors in vision cages, feeding catfood, etc...
After many pages of people elaborating on their experiences with monitors and how these animals would be kept, soon began the many verbal arguments and heated fueds, the thread quickly switched gears, and became something that it was not intended. This happened all on its own; without my involvement. People began responding to the thread who had no business with it, solely to attack or judge some of the people who responded here. I also suspect that there were several other "trolls" who jumped in on this forum, and diverted the subject matter even more(I suspect VampireGirl and "kawtnuffin" of being one of these individuals).
At this point, since there was apparently no more active participation in the topic at hand(for the most part), I decided to add on to what was an already amusing and blatantly ridiculous thread. At that point, I no longer took the thread seriously(neither did mostly everybody else involved). Because of the entertaining antics(which were obviously fake, IMO) of kawtnuffin(aka "Thomas"), I decided to mention that the animals ended up going to him, after him getting banned from this website (and thus no possibility of returning to say that they didn't). My involvement in making this thread ridiculous was only an add-on to what it had already become. It was an attempt to make if funnier than what it already was. In all honesty, I think the thread should have been deleted long ago.. perhaps at page 20.
I admit that I am guilty, and apologize for angering anybody(I wasn't aware that anybody took the thread seriously any more, but apparently I was wrong).
As I stated at the beginning of this message, the original intent of this thread was not to be hurtful or deceiving. I was planning on leaving the thread unanswered, just as a normal classified ad would go(even if somebody purchased the animals). While the aim of the thread got diverted halfway through this novela, I was able to acquire a good, general feel for people's understanding of these animals, as well as a general feel for the attitudes and motives which shape someone's desire to take advantage of free rare monitors.
I am solely a hobbyist and enthusiast who is looking to help advance this tiny sector of herpetoculture's(tree monitor varanoculture) knowledge and understanding through compiling and organizing material related to this complex(the tree monitor complex). I am not a businessman, a breeder, or a commercial dealer.. I am a hobbyist, plain and simple. I keep my captives to study them(there is very little known about these animals) and choose to share every single aspect of my experiences with anybody who is interested, in the hopes of doing my tiny little part to promote and progress this little niche in the hobby, rather than my what's best for myself, or my own pockets.
As for me 'hiding' or not going to shows; I really have no desire of selling my animals, and have nothing to hide. As anyone who has spoken to me personally will probably tell you, I am more than willing to take the time to meet or talk with anybody interested in discussing monitors, ecology, evolutionary biology, or just herpetoculture in general. As I state on my website, I am always interested in hearing from fellow enthusiasts, whether it be to discuss issues, share my own personal experiences, or to offer advice in to who else to contact.
Once again, I apologize for my poor "attempt at humor" towards the end of this thread; everyone that I spoke to who had been reading it thought that it was hilarious and utterly absurbd/ridiculous(well before the 'article' popped up, when the two illerate people were having a go at one another). I understand that what I did is not called for, nor appropriate for this site. I went along with the lunacy which had erupted from my well-intentioned original post(a simple survey), and clearly admitted my wrong doing (I confessed about the thread) when it had become evident that several people were frazzled/upset by it.
From now on, I will keep my fun to myself, and will not rely on this website for informal surveys or "sociological" experiments, despite how helpful they may be (as the beginning of this thread proved to be) anymore. If you are interested in reading the article I mention above, check the website in another week, as the article will hopefully be completed and uploaded once I launch the new website.
Regards,
Bob
My original intentions of this thread were not of what it turned out to be, and I will elaborate a bit on this for all of you. I was more than willing to pay my fine/penalty (as I had violated the TOS(as did several others, I'd imagine)), as I feel that I should offer an explanation for such a post, being that people are making assumptions about my motives.
As you have seen through the links posted here on this thread, I have created a purely informational website(no business, no animals for sale, nothing to gain, etc..), dedicated to both the natural history and captive biology of the Varanus prasinus complex. I am constantly adding information, and materials to this website, as I am able to collect it, or as people contribute it. One of the new additions that I plan on adding to the website(in fact a new version of the website will go online in another week or so), is a segment which is dedicated to prospective buyers of these extremely frail and fragile animals. I feel that this is an important aspect of their lives in captivity which is not currently included on the website. Included in this segment will be various tips and advice regarding purchasing these animals, however a large focus that I will incorporate is a word to prospective buyers.
It is all too often that these animals(and this goes for many other herp species as well) are bought on impulse, solely for their beauty, without any understanding of their biology, or care in captivity. Tragically, these monitors do not tolerate keeper error, mistakes, or stress, and are quick to succumb to the effects of improper husbandry and general lack of knowledge of these animals. Over the past few years I have also collected several interesting emails from these such people, which outline the mistakes that so many people make through impulse purchases, and without having any prior experiences with similar species/situations.
One of the two reasons I had originally made this post, was to create an informal 'survey', in which I can easily view people's thoughts, beliefs, and understandings(or lack thereof, as this thread turned to show) of these difficult-to-keep animals. It was my intention of incorporating many of the responses I was destined to receive by this post, in this particular section of my website which I am currently working on. My plans are to highlight and elaborate on many of these common misunderstandings, and potentially harmful/lethal husbandry practices-and their role in utter failure of this group of monitors. Many of the responses and quotes received here were to be listed in this particular section of the website(without using any names of course). Here I explain what I was looking for in an 'applicant's' response, which would give me the information I was looking for, for my survey/study:
"If you are interested in taking on ALL of these monitors, please respond to this thread below with your level of personal experience, prior monitor experiences, accomodations which you have available to house these animals, and why you think I should choose you to be the new keeper of these rare and amazing animals."
The second reason for this post, was to conduct a survey to find out what percentage of the people likely to respond to this post are motivated and driven by monetary gain, as opposed to those who are true hobbyists. I have become utterly disappointed with what I have seen happen to herpetoculture over the past decade. It has 'morphed' from what was once a hobby built upon enthusiasm and interest in studying one's captives, to an industry built upon monetary gain and greed. Many different 'niches' within this hobby are almost primarily fueled by one's own self interest/betterment($$$$), such as the ball python "industry" for example.
The second part of this post was to see where lizard enthusiasts stood on this very same issue regarding monitors(one of the least prominent "hi end" sectors of this industry). It was clear that there were both types of people who responded to the thread, from what I was able to make out. Because I was looking exclusively for hobbyists, and their take on these animals, I specifically posted:
"NO DEALERS".
Of all the candidates who responded, in my opinion, there were less than five individuals who truly were up to such a challenge with such fragile and demanding lizards and had any basic understanding of what these animals are, how they live, and what they need. This truly offers me some great insight into the background behind many of these fateful tree monitor purchases, and was exactly the type of information I was looking at getting through this thread. Such things as housing tree monitors in vision cages, feeding catfood, etc...
After many pages of people elaborating on their experiences with monitors and how these animals would be kept, soon began the many verbal arguments and heated fueds, the thread quickly switched gears, and became something that it was not intended. This happened all on its own; without my involvement. People began responding to the thread who had no business with it, solely to attack or judge some of the people who responded here. I also suspect that there were several other "trolls" who jumped in on this forum, and diverted the subject matter even more(I suspect VampireGirl and "kawtnuffin" of being one of these individuals).
At this point, since there was apparently no more active participation in the topic at hand(for the most part), I decided to add on to what was an already amusing and blatantly ridiculous thread. At that point, I no longer took the thread seriously(neither did mostly everybody else involved). Because of the entertaining antics(which were obviously fake, IMO) of kawtnuffin(aka "Thomas"), I decided to mention that the animals ended up going to him, after him getting banned from this website (and thus no possibility of returning to say that they didn't). My involvement in making this thread ridiculous was only an add-on to what it had already become. It was an attempt to make if funnier than what it already was. In all honesty, I think the thread should have been deleted long ago.. perhaps at page 20.
I admit that I am guilty, and apologize for angering anybody(I wasn't aware that anybody took the thread seriously any more, but apparently I was wrong).
As I stated at the beginning of this message, the original intent of this thread was not to be hurtful or deceiving. I was planning on leaving the thread unanswered, just as a normal classified ad would go(even if somebody purchased the animals). While the aim of the thread got diverted halfway through this novela, I was able to acquire a good, general feel for people's understanding of these animals, as well as a general feel for the attitudes and motives which shape someone's desire to take advantage of free rare monitors.
I am solely a hobbyist and enthusiast who is looking to help advance this tiny sector of herpetoculture's(tree monitor varanoculture) knowledge and understanding through compiling and organizing material related to this complex(the tree monitor complex). I am not a businessman, a breeder, or a commercial dealer.. I am a hobbyist, plain and simple. I keep my captives to study them(there is very little known about these animals) and choose to share every single aspect of my experiences with anybody who is interested, in the hopes of doing my tiny little part to promote and progress this little niche in the hobby, rather than my what's best for myself, or my own pockets.
As for me 'hiding' or not going to shows; I really have no desire of selling my animals, and have nothing to hide. As anyone who has spoken to me personally will probably tell you, I am more than willing to take the time to meet or talk with anybody interested in discussing monitors, ecology, evolutionary biology, or just herpetoculture in general. As I state on my website, I am always interested in hearing from fellow enthusiasts, whether it be to discuss issues, share my own personal experiences, or to offer advice in to who else to contact.
Once again, I apologize for my poor "attempt at humor" towards the end of this thread; everyone that I spoke to who had been reading it thought that it was hilarious and utterly absurbd/ridiculous(well before the 'article' popped up, when the two illerate people were having a go at one another). I understand that what I did is not called for, nor appropriate for this site. I went along with the lunacy which had erupted from my well-intentioned original post(a simple survey), and clearly admitted my wrong doing (I confessed about the thread) when it had become evident that several people were frazzled/upset by it.
From now on, I will keep my fun to myself, and will not rely on this website for informal surveys or "sociological" experiments, despite how helpful they may be (as the beginning of this thread proved to be) anymore. If you are interested in reading the article I mention above, check the website in another week, as the article will hopefully be completed and uploaded once I launch the new website.
Regards,
Bob
Tarichid
New member
Hahahahaha
Holy cow, you guys really need to find something to do.
I think it is funny how everyone was so concerned that BILLY WILLIAMS had too much free time... yet no one else seems to be dropping it! You insist on googling, checking jail records, and scanning the archives/past messages to find out everything you can about him. Every 10 minutes there is something 'new' found that must be brought to the attention of others.
Dare I say it is YOU GUYS who need to stop beating a dead horse, and find something to do with your surplus of expendable time.
It is almost as silly as TripleMoonsExotics and Palex complaining about the spelling... then mispelling half the words in their own posts!
Take this thread for what it is. I thought this thread was a hoot. However, it is now time to drop it and move on.
Cheers!
Holy cow, you guys really need to find something to do.
I think it is funny how everyone was so concerned that BILLY WILLIAMS had too much free time... yet no one else seems to be dropping it! You insist on googling, checking jail records, and scanning the archives/past messages to find out everything you can about him. Every 10 minutes there is something 'new' found that must be brought to the attention of others.
Dare I say it is YOU GUYS who need to stop beating a dead horse, and find something to do with your surplus of expendable time.
It is almost as silly as TripleMoonsExotics and Palex complaining about the spelling... then mispelling half the words in their own posts!
Take this thread for what it is. I thought this thread was a hoot. However, it is now time to drop it and move on.
Cheers!
bob,
After talking with you last night and understanding everything, I think this thread was acually a good idea. I understand why you did this, and I acually enjoyd it. Despite my lack of personal knowlage of tree monitors, I would hate to see someone taking my pair of ackies who has completely no idea what they are getting into. I am glad you explained your actions.
After talking with you last night and understanding everything, I think this thread was acually a good idea. I understand why you did this, and I acually enjoyd it. Despite my lack of personal knowlage of tree monitors, I would hate to see someone taking my pair of ackies who has completely no idea what they are getting into. I am glad you explained your actions.
Palex134 said:
I completely disagree. If anything, I'd move it to the BOI to let everyone know that this Billy Williams (or whatever the heck his name is) is dishonest and tries to screw with people's minds. I don't care what his explanation is because after his previous LIES, his explanation holds as much water as a lunchlady's hairnet. Regardless of what "Billy" was trying to accomplish, I don't think dishonestly and trolling were the right ways to achieve it. Period.
Mary-Beth is KoRny
New member
Palex134 said:
It's a good idea to lie to and intentionally infuriate people?
LakesideBoas
Herpaholic
And I, Sir, think you are full of Methane.BILLY WILLIAMS said:
You cannot possibly think that you are going to educate anyone via the methodology you employed starting this thread. Simply posting on your site a simple list of "do's" and "don'ts" would have sufficed.
I'd even be willing to bet you had an axe to grind or some sort of point to make by tweeking us here at Fauna. Why start here then? Why not somewhere else?
Seems the fumes have ignited and someone seems to be batting at the flames. Good luck putting them out. Stop, drop and roll.
Something you may want to know about Methane; not only is it flammable, it STINKS!
Fabled_out
New member
billy williams sorryTripleMoonsExotic said:
TripleMoonsExotic
New member
Tarichid said:
Kindly quote me where I misspelled half of the words in my posts...
Thank you.
Fabled_out
New member
i didnt say you did....as far as i know i was just replying to your reply that you replied to me 
Scott Ashton
Gnitubirtnoc Rebmem
Heeeere's Bob.
Last edited by a moderator:
Scott Ashton
Gnitubirtnoc Rebmem
Say cheese Bob!
Last edited by a moderator:
TripleMoonsExotic
New member
Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii Billyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!
BILLY WILLIAMS
New member
Cheese!
RoadSpawn
Member
Adoption
Hello
If you haveb't already found homes for your reptiles, I would like to adopt your tree monitors. I have 10 years of experiance with reptile husbandry: snakes, monitors, lizards, and turtles. By far I enjoy monitors the most. I have a special liking in tree monitors. I currently have one lone male beccarrii. I am well aware of the special needs these arboreal monitors require. High humidity and large vertical enclosures are a must. I use my knowledge of reptiles and the reptiles themselves in my classroom. For further information please e-mail my directly. Thanks for your consideration.
Robert
Hello
If you haveb't already found homes for your reptiles, I would like to adopt your tree monitors. I have 10 years of experiance with reptile husbandry: snakes, monitors, lizards, and turtles. By far I enjoy monitors the most. I have a special liking in tree monitors. I currently have one lone male beccarrii. I am well aware of the special needs these arboreal monitors require. High humidity and large vertical enclosures are a must. I use my knowledge of reptiles and the reptiles themselves in my classroom. For further information please e-mail my directly. Thanks for your consideration.
Robert
Cat_72
Back from exile :)
*sigh*
RoadSpawn
Member
Good one Bob
That was hilarious. So can I get the blue trees or what? HAHAHAHAHA
That was hilarious. So can I get the blue trees or what? HAHAHAHAHA
Laura Fopiano
B&L Exotix
Beautiful
ROTFLMAO.............I know, bad Laur, bad Laur............but You all got to admit that this is one of the best experiments of human studies that I've seen in a long time.
Okay.....go to the local mall in "anywhere USA' and look up at the 2nd floor, pick any random object and just stare at intensely.........shhhhhhh...if you notice in your peripheral vision, others are looking too. What is she looking at they all wonder and continue to look for the mysterious object that she is so fixated on. Human nature folks we all love a good train wreck, even though we don't like to admit it..............we will look!!
ROTFLMAO.............I know, bad Laur, bad Laur............but You all got to admit that this is one of the best experiments of human studies that I've seen in a long time.
Okay.....go to the local mall in "anywhere USA' and look up at the 2nd floor, pick any random object and just stare at intensely.........shhhhhhh...if you notice in your peripheral vision, others are looking too. What is she looking at they all wonder and continue to look for the mysterious object that she is so fixated on. Human nature folks we all love a good train wreck, even though we don't like to admit it..............we will look!!
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