User:Jdittman8063/Side Projects/Dwarf Monitor Enclosure

Background
Having built multiple monitor enclosures over the past few years, I've found that even with the available forums and guides online, there is still a steep learning curve. By documenting the build I am currently considering for this winter, I hope to alleviate some of the learning curve for people interested in keeping monitors but hesitant due to the cost and anticipated difficulty in getting started.

Challenges Facing New/Prospective Owners
The biggest problem or challenge facing new and prospective monitor owners is the prevalence of misinformation available. Incorrect information can be found everywhere, from pet stores and importers/dealers, to books and Youtube. Monitor husbandry has progressed by leaps and bounds in recent decades, and is still evolving today. Staying up-to-date on current keeping techniques and new research is the best bet for having a happy, healthy, and long lived monitor.

Don't Use an Aquarium
Many first time owners start off by keeping their new monitor in an aquarium or similar glass tank. This is how people often see reptiles kept in pet stores and in many pictures and videos online. Unfortunately the conditions provided by such an enclosure will rarely, if ever, actually address the needs of the monitor. Problems with keeping monitors in this way include an inability to provide a deep substrate for burrowing, an improper thermal gradient, low humidity, and a general lack of space.

The other common problem with keeping monitors in fish tanks or similar, is that the keeper generally sets up the enclosure to mimic what is seen in pet stores. By this I mean using shallow sand or reptile carpet as a substrate, a heat rock or incandescent bulb and small rock for a basking spot, and providing only a couple slim branches and a small hide as accents. While this allows the monitor to be observed nearly all the time, it provides no benefit at all to the animal. The substrate is unable to hold any humidity and prevents the monitor from burrowing. The basking spot will not be able to safely reach the required 130-150F range. Preventing the animal from hiding or disguising its movements will also lead to excessive stress.

Building an Enclosure

 * /The Basics/
 * /Detailed Setup/
 * /Anticipated Winter Build/