Before Buying a Pet Monitor Lizard
Monitor Lizard are large reptiles that require a high level of care. They need a spacious habitat, a warm environment and a special diet. If you are considering keeping a monitor lizard as a pet, you need to be aware of all the care this reptile requires.
There are many types of monitor lizards including Savannah, Ackie, black-throated and Nile monitor lizards. The cost of a monitor lizard ranges from $100 to $3,000. Certain types like the green monitor lizards tend to be more expensive than the Nile or Savannah monitor lizards.
A monitor lizard needs a cage 6 feet long and 2 feet wide. It must have a lid to allow the heat from its lamp to pass into the cage. This pet needs a large cage as adults can grow up to four or five feet long. Some types of monitor lizards require an even larger enclosure. For example, the common Savannah monitor lizard measures 5 feet in length as an adult. Enclosures range in price from $800 to $1500.
Having a cabinet this size means you have to make sure you have enough space in your house to accommodate it. These pets also need a variety of supplies including two heating lamps, a thermostat, a hygrometer, a heating pad, substrate (blanket), water bowl, food bowl, cage decorations and food.
As you can see, this is a pet that requires an investment of both time and money.
How much does a monitor lizard cost?
Depending on the type of monitor lizard you choose, these reptiles range in price from $100 to $3,000. In general, the larger the monitor lizard, the more expensive it is. An enclosure for this pet must match its large size. It must be made with a wire end to allow air to circulate and reach the heat lamp. The price of a cage for this pet is from $800 to $1,500.
In their natural habitat, these lizards bask in the sun for long periods of time. So, as pets, they need to live in an enclosure with temperatures between 95 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. At night, they need their cages to be cooler at temperatures between 75 and 85 degrees F. This temperature change mimics what they encounter in the wild.
It needs a sunbathing area in the enclosure to be exposed to temperatures between 110 and 130 degrees F. So it needs both a heat lamp and a backlight along with a thermostat to ensure the proper temperature.
A heating pad underneath the cage can be used to maintain cooler night temperatures for this lizard. A heating lamp costs about $50 while a backlight costs about $20. A heating pad costs about $50 and a thermostat about $40.
A hygrometer is required to ensure this pet has the proper humidity in its cage. A hygrometer costs about $4.
Did you know that monitor lizards love to dig? They do! This is why they need one to two feet of substrate (bed) in their cage. Loose coir is the preferred substrate of monitor lizard owners. It’s easy for these reptiles to dig deep and it absorbs. This substrate costs $30 to $40 a bag. This material is tightly sealed in the bag and expands when removed.
Your monitor lizard needs a bowl of water and a bowl of food. The water bowl is there to hydrate and create a moist environment. Your monitor lizard also has the ability to climb into the water to cool itself. A pair of bowls costs about $50.
Decorating your monitor lizard’s cage isn’t simply about making it feel at home. Your lizard needs a place to bask in the heat as well as places to hide. A reptile burrow large enough for your monitor lizard as well as a hollow log and some artificial plants are all basic items for decorating the barn. The price of a reptile burrow is between $30 and $50 while a hollow log is around $50. Three plants will cost $40 to $50 in total depending on their type.
Some people put items from their yard into their monitor lizard enclosures. A few large, flat rocks are good options, but be sure to clean them thoroughly.
These reptiles are carnivores. Adult lizards eat one rat per week. You can buy frozen dead mice in boxes of ten. They also eat insects such as crickets, mealworms and cockroaches. Frozen rats and live insects are available online. A box of ten frozen mice costs about $20. A supply of 500 live insects is about $30. You can turn insects into a one-time expense by keeping them indoors.
Initial Costs:
- Monitor lizard-$100
- Enclosure-$800
- Heat lamp-$50
- Basking lamp-$20
- Warming pad-$50
- Thermostat-$40
- Hygrometer-$4
- Substrate-$30
- Food and water bowls-$50
- Reptile cave-$30
- Hollow log-$50
- Artificial plants (3)-$40
- Insects-$30
- Frozen mice-$20
Total initial costs:$1,314
Ongoing costs:
- Substrate-$30 (monthly)
- Food-Supply of frozen mice (every two months)-$20
- Mobile veterinary visit (yearly)-$75
Total yearly ongoing costs: $555
Total over 20-year lifetime of a monitor lizard: $12,414
As a note, replacing necessary items of equipment is likely to be required over the life of your lizard.
New Owner’s Shopping List: What to Buy
- It’s a good idea to buy all the supplies for the monitor lizard before bringing it home. This includes covers, heating equipment, substrates, bowls, decorations and food.
- Enclosure – Some enclosures require assembly. So installing a cage is definitely something you want to do before your lizard arrives home.
- Heat Lamp – Set this up so that its UV rays shine through the top of the enclosure. Test this lamp to make sure it maintains a temperature between 95 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit in your pet’s habitat.
- Backlight – This is a light placed above a log or pile of rocks where your monitor lizard can spend time in temperatures between 110 and 130 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Heating Pad – This is located underneath the cover in one area of the cage. It should maintain a temperature of 75 to 85 degrees F. This is a cooler area where your lizard can sleep at night. (Heating and backlighting are off at night.)
- Thermostat – This is a very important piece of equipment for your monitor lizard’s habitat. It tells you whether the temperature in the case is maintained or not. The right habitat temperature is important for this pet’s health.
- Hygrometer – The humidity level in your pet’s cage is important. These reptiles require 40 to 50 percent humidity in their habitat.
- Substrate – 1 to 2 feet loose coir is required to house this lizard.
Food and water bowls – These are sturdy bowls that are permanent in your pet’s habitat. The water bowl is deep enough for your pet to get in to cool off. - Reptile burrow – This is a decorative piece made of non-toxic materials that your pet can crawl into and hide in.
- Hollow Log – Your pet can sit on top of this decoration or get inside.
- Artificial Plants – Your lizard can hide behind artificial, non-toxic plants that add a natural look to the enclosure.
- Food – Having a supply of frozen mice and live insects on hand for your monitor lizard will help your pet acclimate to a new habitat.
Ongoing Need: What You Need to Care for Your Monitor Lizard
Substance, food, and veterinary care are all ongoing needs for this pet.
- Substrate – Loose coconut fiber is a good substrate for a monitor lizard. It’s great for digging and it absorbs waste. This pet needs one to two feet of substrate in its enclosure.
- Food – Frozen mice are a part of your lizard’s diet and need to be purchased online every two months.
- Mobile veterinary care – Yearly veterinary care is an ongoing need to keep this pet healthy and happy. Because of this reptile’s size it’s best to arrange for care from a mobile veterinarian who travels to your home.
