Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

[johne.ev]

Hi all.
just purchased 100watt t-rex active UV, for my argus monitor. very impressed, colours look brilliant, great heat exchange. has anybody else used them? i am using alluminium reflector dome, as recomended. i have basking spot of 130 ambient temp 82 cool end 75/78. viv size 6' x 2' x 18'. argus is now 4mths old , still very flighty and nervous but calms down when out of viv (after crapping all over me.) i have reduced handling to every few days so that it gets to digest meals, any experience keepers agree or disagree? (have kept ackies before but totally different temperament.) regards.

[Sean]

I use them and other types of mecury vapor UV active bulbs, they do bring out the colours well on certain species but whether they are actually necessary I doubt. I do not see any difference in the over all well being of my varanus whether they are kept under these bulbs or just normal bulbs.

As for handling I prefer not too and get pleasure out of watching and observing. The only times I really handle my monitors is when I try to take pics to show size comparison against the human form and this I do not do that often. My monitors are pretty much quite calm maybe because I try not to invade their personal space. I think when people try to force the issue then its make the animal more stressed, you need to see it from their point of view if someone or something is trying to grab you then the automatic reaction is to go on the defensive.

I agree with what bob said on the other post about most if not all bites are caused through ones carelessness and undue attention to the situation they are doing at the particular time.

[warhammer]

sean i totally agree you should not really handle your monitors but to say you shouldn't at any time is rubbish i know you have handled them and got bitten is this carelessness on your part i think we are going of the subject bob said basically you shouldn't handle your monitor and this is what i disagree on sean why put your input on this subject about vapor bulbs and not on the salvadorii section just curious

[Sean]

Hi Andy,

Of course if you are keeping monitors in captivity there are going to be times when handling interaction does occur but I think the point Bob was trying to make was that some keepers try to handle them more often than is really necessary. They are not toys and must be treated with the respect they deserve.

[johne.ev]

Hi all.
thanks for the input guy's. on the subject of handling, im not trying to tame to the point of daily handling just to the point of tolerating handling when necessary, i.e cleaning bathing (i give mine a soak once a week.) etc. i also plan to provide a run outside (if weather permits.) one thing i can't seem to understand is if you don't handle at all, how will you ever be able to get near when you need to?
regards.

[Sean]

It depends on the species and also the individual animal concerned. Some tolerate interaction better than others. From my own experience if you are just say spot cleaning in the vivs and at the same time just keeping a valid space between yourself and the monitor they eventually go about their business as normal and may see you as not a threat, some will even come check you out. But like I said it depends on the individual and species. I have found the larger Australian species to be the boldest and the most interesting when it comes to intelligence.

You must of seen lacies or argus near picnic sites where they try to steal the food on offer. When I kept panoptes panoptes as soon as they heard a bag rustle they associated it with feeding, one time I walked into my varanus room opened the glass and I had a bag of food in my hand, one panoptes tried to run up me as if I was a tree and get the food from the bag. Quite interesting although not very good when a 5ft panoptes panoptes claws in you.

[Scott W]

I think you need to decide which direction you wish to go with keeping your argus. I don't see a problem at all with someone wanting to spend time gaining trust from their animals, leading to hand feeding and even handling but of course this isn't always easy if you want more than a pet...ie. a breeding project or a natural animal.
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Please DO NOT pm orders for reptiles, send email instead scott@captivebred.co.uk

[johne.ev]

Thanks scott.
ideally i'd like a tame pet that behaved naturally, although realistically i know this is unlikely with the species iv'e chosen.