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As a result, you must create many “mini-climates” in the enclosure to keep them comfortable. Argus monitors thermoregulation themselves by moving to different hot or cold areas.
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Temperature & LightingĪs with most pet reptiles, an efficient temperature gradient is a must. You’ll be surprised by how strong and capable these creatures are! Secure any openings to halt escape attempts. Aim to use the decorative items for the purpose of creating some above-ground hiding places throughout the enclosure.Įxpert Tip: Don’t forget to secure the enclosure with a tight lid or door! Argus monitors like to test their limits. Try to keep things light to ensure that your monitor doesn’t get injured if they move things around. Next, add some basking rocks and clean logs. Alternatively, you can invest in commercial reptile sands (but keep in mind that you’ll need a lot of it). Experiment a bit to get a mixture that works for your lizard. You can use fertilizer-free soil, coconut coir, cypress mulch, or even play sand. Plus, it gives them a chance to create high-humidity refuge to relax in.Īrgus monitors adapt well to most loose materials. Argus monitors love to dig and burrow, so providing some diggable substrate will enhance your lizard’s quality of life. Start by adding about two feet of substrate material at the bottom. The extra enclosure space can accommodate your Argus monitor’s preferences and give you more opportunities to decorate the space to their liking. If possible, try to have a slightly larger habitat that’s eight feet long, four feet wide, and five feet tall. If you plan on keeping a pair of these lizards together, you’ll need to go much bigger. That’s the bare minimum for a solo lizard. We recommend building an enclosure that’s no smaller than six feet long, four feet wide, and four feet deep. Too much airflow can cause some issues stabilizing temperature and humidity levels. With potential adult lengths of five feet, a stock terrarium isn’t going to cut it! Most owners opt for custom-built enclosures made out of wood and glass.Įxpert Tip: A screened habitat is not the best for Argus monitors.
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The biggest obstacle you’ll face when it comes to Argus monitor care is housing. Here are some critical care guidelines to get you started. They’re ideal for experienced enthusiasts looking for a manageable challenge.
#CAN I OWN ARGUS MONITOR IN CHICAGO PRO#
Argus Monitor CareĬontrary to popular belief, Argus monitor care isn’t as challenging as it may seem! They’re certainly more involved than a simple gecko or anole, but you don’t need to be a seasoned pro to find success. Monitors with high-quality diets and pristine living environments are more likely to stave off disease and early death. That said, the level of care you provide will also impact their life expectancy. Several factors come into play, including luck, genetics, and where you purchase them from. It’s thought that these reptiles live a bit longer in the wild, but data on this is still a bit scarce.Īs always, there’s no way to guarantee how long a captive reptile will live. With the proper care, the typical lifespan of an Argus monitor is anywhere between 15 and 20 years in captivity. While those measurements seem massive compared to other common types of pet lizards, Argus monitors aren’t the biggest monitor species out there. The lizards grow quickly, and the size difference between males and females becomes apparent as they mature. New hatchlings are usually 10 to 12 inches long.
#CAN I OWN ARGUS MONITOR IN CHICAGO FULL#
The average size of an Argus monitor is four to five feet in length for full grown males, and three and a half feet for females. The lizard’s color dulls a bit as it ages, but it’s still eye-catching nonetheless. Some sport traversing bands of yellow and black, which offers even more contrast than the adult color. The pattern is most brilliant on the tails and sides.Įxpert Tip: Generally, younger Argus monitors are more vivid. The high-contrast color combination lends itself to some beautiful markings. Meanwhile, the top of the body features darker reddish-brown or gray spotting. The color is most visible on the belly and underside. Sharp claws offer plenty of digging, climbing, and hunting power.Ĭoloration can vary a bit, but most monitors have a base color of cream or light yellow. Like most monitors, the Argus monitor is a stocky creature with powerful legs. Many interested owners are immediately taken back by its sheer size and build. This reptile is nothing short of beautiful. However, there’s a growing community of pet lizard lovers dedicated to helping these monitors reach their full potential in captivity. In the pet trade, Argus monitors aren’t as widespread as other reptiles. They live near waterways, floodplains, savannah grasslands, and more! The area is quite diverse, resulting in a highly adaptable lifestyle for these lizards. Argus monitors are native to Australia and the island of New Guinea.