Considering taking another plunge...

[Charlet_2007]

i know a guy right now that has a savanna monitor for 50.00 im pretty sure he'll ship it when the weather is right.. It's also very tame and fat lol..

[Zephyr]

i know a guy right now that has a savanna monitor for 50.00 im pretty sure he'll ship it when the weather is right.. It's also very tame and fat lol..

Hmm...
It's tempting.
But I have to make sure I could REALLY commit to the thing.
And I'm thinking starting with a baby would be best. So we could bond.
:P

[Hornets23]

I think my biggest considerations if i were you and thinking about getting one is space and what you will do when you go to college. I'm sure you've already thought of these things though.

[prattypus]

I think my biggest considerations if i were you and thinking about getting one is space and what you will do when you go to college. I'm sure you've already thought of these things though.

Can we say frat mascot?

[drache]

wow, Kyle - that's a large plunge
I just want ackies - really really want, but can't have just yet

[Tori]

I personally have always wanted an Argentine Black & White Tegu. I just don't know if one could get along with my Australian Water Dragons. The Argentines are a lot gentler and smarter than the Columbian Tegu. But my dragons freeroam and are family. I ought to write to Bert who owns Agama International and raises both, but he keeps them separate so I don't know if even he would know. Bert has developed cancer and is selling all of his reptiles and even his breeding facilities. I really ought to write, haven't heard from him recently.

[adamanteus]

All I can say, Tori, is that I know large Tegus will take lizards as part of their diet, without hesitation.

[Zephyr]

Well... Tori... That's another lizard that could fit the "bill." :P
Do they need UV? I could do free-range.

[Snake lover 3-25]

all i want is an iguana..... man i love those things........

[Loren]

Well Kyle, as already said, first thought would be proper caging- I agree that 8 x 4 would be a good baseline. As for your 5 x 2, well, thats slightly smaller than what I used for Rosco, and I have to tell you, I will never keep a monitor that big in a cage that small again. It was basic living quarters only- no room to really enjoy himself. Rosco liked a water bowl large enough to soak in- that takes 1/3 of a 5 x 2 on its own.
The thing about taking him out for exercise, is they should have a fairly warm area to excercise, including digging. Thats another thing my monitor never got to do, and another requirement I will have to meet before I ever get another. So I have to wonder if you are sure he will get out often enough, and if the area he will play in will be warm enough to keep him at full activity. Not people warm- african reptile warm.
As for uv, Wayne refered to FR - Frank Retes, and yes, he is apparently the monitor guru. You can find him on kingsnake.com monitor forum, and I think varanus.net is his forum. Well, Frank absolutely says uv is not needed, but rather the proper temps must be given, which his requirements do vary from what is considered standard by many. He isnt the nicest guy to talk to(very frustrated of new-be's buying monitors they cant care for-understandibly I guess), unless you are a known, experienced monitor guy as well, but he does have the qualifications to say what monitors need and dont need- thats for sure.
My last thought, thats also been brought up is, what about college? I highly doubt he can go to college with you- so then what? Something many of us find out is that adult large reptiles are hard to rehome, and very hard to rehome properly.
I knew Rosco could have had a better life, but I knew I wasnt likely to find anyone that would have given him a better life than I did. Hardcore large herp keepers are hard to find, and they all want to start with babies too. And few hard core monitor guys keep savs these days- they like blackthroats, ackies, and waters, and some of the more expensive species.
So, I know you are a good, responsible and intelligent herp keeper, so I dont want to discourage you- yet in a way I do... for now.

I'll definitely respect your choice either way, this is just my 2 cents.