WATER MONITOR DRAMA
I recently moved to Gainesville, Florida for school, and was in the market for a water monitor, but did not know the reptile scene here. I chose to follow a friends advice and order offline. I chose Underground Reptiles because they seemed to have pretty good reviews with a complaint here and there. Underground claimed their stock consists of healthy, "captive-bred" lizards. The package arrived on time, at around noon on Sept. 12, 2012. Although, the monitor was skinny and also has a respiratory infection. I immediately called there store and spoke with a friendly man who told me he personally picked out one of their healthiest males for me, which means their stock is shit, if the one i received is considered "healthy."
He then put his boss, Ryan, on the phone. I received an extended warantee for as long as I needed, which is reasonable, as long as I provided adequate housing and kept them informed about the monitor's health. He lives in a 55 gal with a basking temp of around 120 and an ambient at 85. Still need a hygrometer, but humidity is probably between 60-80%.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't medical attention required to cure this respiratory infection? I did not ask, but I doubt Ryan would also pay for the lizard's medical expenses. My roommate and I also own other reptiles (tegus, redtail boa, blood python, savannah monitor), which are now being put in jeopardy.
I found this local pet store, Pangaea reptiles, that is awesome, with a knowledgeable staff, and very healthy animals. Ben (I believe his name was Ben) the manager, seemed to know about Underground's reptiles operation and informed me that the water monitor in my house came overseas from a factory that used monitors for leather. This is not what I consider "captive bred," even if the egg was hatched in a factory. I was also informed that underground's owner had already been charged for smuggling animals. Pangaea also mentioned the impressiveness of underground's operation. They did not only bash Underground, like I would expect a competitor to do.
This now means that Underground has my money, and if this, or when, this monitor dies, my only option is to receive another wild monitor, that may have parasites or a number of other ailments, that wont necessarily effect it with the first few weeks of ownership. I still haven't personally asked if Underground would so a money return or if it would have to be in store credit. I was told from Pangaea that it would only be store credit.
I would love any feedback. Maybe I had been misinformed about something? Please correct me if I'm wrong.
"Da Bomb", "Call you Out", "Discriminate" 