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Timor Monitors, Differences?

vafishinpa

vafishinpa

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I am considering re-entering the world of monitor husbandry again and I am curious about the Timor group (similis, timorensis, auffenbergi, etc).

My only experience, granted brief and with a yellow spot, led me to believe that they may not be as skiddish as some say. I am looking for display animals and not pets (animals that are handled regularly). The goal is to just let them be monitors in hopes they'll reproduce. Prefer that they are tame enough to feed from tongs and relax in a display setting.

The question is: Is there really any difference between the different species/sub-species if captive born individuals are used? Has anyone had a great deal of success breeding any particular one?

A little bit about me... I have bred ackies in the past and kept another half dozen species of monitors as well. This will not be my first rodeo, although it may be more difficult than ackies were. ;)

Any input or leads would be appreciated. Thank you.
 
You just cannot go wrong with little timor monitors.
The odatria complex is what they fit in. Timors are one of the more easier to breed other then ackies and most yes are extremely skittish. With similis it's hit and miss and in my own pair seem to vary greatly between what other keepers I know who have them are say. Both my animals are extremely shy but the male is VERY VERY shy. Shy to the point where I wonder if there's anything even in the enclosure. Most of the time the only way I know my similis are in their enclosures in simply that the food disappears. And that's it. They are not pets!!!! I wouldn't suggest handling animals you have intentions on breeding as the stress can cause a whole mess of problems.

So I would say if you go with any of the odatria complex, especially similis do A LOT of research. :D
 
Thank you for the input. Some web site said that V.similis were more likely to relax than the other "spotted tree" species and I was wondering if I could trust that... Sounds as though I cannot.
I most definitely will not be handling them, they will be more like terrestrial fish as far as I am concerned. Feed them, clean the cage, and generally no touching. I would however prefer that they would take roaches from tongs, I do not want roaches loose and they will be the bulk of their diet. I could feed be-headed roaches possibly in a dish or stash near hide spots.
Currently, V.auffenbergi is drawing my attention. Dug some scientific papers up ..... Cool group.
 
From what I know of similis you can tong feed them as long as they can stay in a hide while doing so. They seem to really prefer a hollow log as a hide.
My timors are skittish and will bit when handled but the female will tong feed in the open. Male will not.
But none of mine I would say are handleable.
 
Good to know... Were the similis and timors captive hatched animals?
Have you had any success getting them to reproduce? I imagine getting the males excited is probably easy right... Once had a Dumerils mount a female Savannah while I was cleaning their cages, Romeo had the right idea just with the wrong female. I never did find him a girlfriend regretfully.

Thank you for your time.
 
My female similis is still way to young to be with the male and there is a very large size difference and I cannot risk her getting injured or killed so they live apart. I also have no guarantee they're a 1.1 pairing.

My timors aren't housed together either and only recently has there been signs the female may be ready but she also has turned very aggressive so when I go to introduce them soon I'll be waiting to exhale for sure.

Only one other similis keeper I know has proof in a photo of his pair copulating. Waiting to see if something comes from the breeding.

My timors are for sure farm hatched as are my similis if they're not full blown wild caught. I got my male when he was not even a year old and the little female is young. She's tiny. It will be a long time before I can introduce them with the hopes of breeding. For now I just want her to grow grow grow.
 
Currently I am raising funds with the intention of going all in on one the timor types. I hope to raise enough capital to purchase 4 CH baby timors in the next month while the prices are good. This should ensure that I have atleast one pair, with a couple others to experiment with. I understand that they can reach maturity at a year or probably two, size dependent....
Do you know who has bred timors? I see a couple adds posted on Kingsnake for captive bred babies there... I know that there have been several recorded breedings in captivity, some in zoos & researchers.
 
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