Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

bearboa · I'm new here... Joined: 11 Jul 2006 Posts: 17

my fearless shaka trying to kill my finger while i had him out last night Laughing

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bearboa · I'm new here... Joined: 11 Jul 2006 Posts: 17

3 mins later and he still hasnt killed it Laughing

he let got after 5 minutes
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Xx_JoJo_xX · Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 1:33 pm Post subject:

LOL! Did he do any damage?
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dirtydozen210 · Contributing Member Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 93

mines just like that but they dont hurt

bearboa · I'm new here... Joined: 11 Jul 2006 Posts: 17

no,no damage at all but i can say that for his size he does have some strength in them jaws.
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Rick_Albig · Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 10:48 pm Post subject:

I would advise not handling your monitor too much. It is biting you because it does not want too be picked up. They also crap on you (sign of stress.) WC animals are very stressed and in some cases this can kill!

I handle my monitors as little as possible at first and try and build a trusting relationship (get them used to my presence and make them realize i am no threat) I know this can be hard sometimes but its best in the long run

My little girl takes food from me, basks in front of me and even comes out of her enclosure and follows me down stairs for food! This is because i have been very patient with her.

Hope this helps

Rick

dirtydozen210 · Contributing Member Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 93

mine is still only young and iam going the same route you have and only handling him/her to a minimum. I have had him/her about a month and a half now and the change already is amazing. When i first got him/her she would try and bite every opportunity and like you say poo on you all the time, so i left her and like you say got her used to me and now when i get him out although she does struggle a little still there is no biting or poooing anymore

bearboa · I'm new here... Joined: 11 Jul 2006 Posts: 17

i do not handle my monitor often about 30 minutes a day so that he can get used to me the rest of the time i leave him in his viv the only thing that bothers me a bit is that he doesnt come out of his hides.he comes out of them twice a day the rest of the time he spends it in his hide he does come out when he gets fed but it is only for a few seconds till he notices someone outside his viv then he goes straight back into hiding till the room is quiet then he will come out and eat.that is the only thing that bothers me a bit but i am sure that will pass too.as for his temps his basking area is around 30-35c and his cool end is around 27-28c which is right.he is healthy in all aspects it is just his shyness that has me a bit worried
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dirtydozen210 · Contributing Member Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 93

i wouldn't bother with his shyness to be honest, mine is like that and it has never bothered me, i have a dog tame 4 foot iggy that shys away a little when his viv is approached and he is in perfect health and couldn't be tamer

Rick_Albig · Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2006 3:29 pm Post subject:

He probably comes out when your not around. Just give him time he will be fine!

27-28 ambient is OK for the cool side and around 30-35 ambient for the warm but you want a basking spot directly under the light of around 55c (surface temp measured with a temp gun). This will enable him to digest and metabolize his food properly. My female Albig regularly basks on her raised platform and the temps there are close to 77c (surface temp!) Remember these monitors are from Africa and bask on rocks and branches that can exceed temps of 85c plus!

This is an old picture and i have changed her viv quite a bit but she used to always bask after a meal. Highest temps recorded were around 80c

My young Albig basking at similar temps

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