Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

lol93

This is our baby varanus salvator, Guinness. At the moment, he's eating crickets almost exclusively, in spite of being offered locusts, mealworms, waxies and butterworms. I don't think he recognises food unless it's running about his viv-he tends to ignore anything I put in a bowl.

Anything I could do to get him interested in the other stuff?

Thanks.

lol93 · Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 1:02 pm Post subject:

One more!

herp_boi · Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 1:09 pm Post subject:

sorry cant help you, but nice monitor. Smile

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Nelson · Key Member Joined: 04 Oct 2005 Posts: 318

Have you tried throwing food past him or drop items from above? That's how I got my ackie to try different live foods. Also have you tried pinkies?

lol93 · Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 4:38 pm Post subject:

Thanks-I like him too! Laughing

I'll give the throwing things a shot. Trouble is, he's very nervous, and disappears when anyone comes near his viv. He will comes out to bask when no-one's around, but hides the rest of the time. We've moved his viv into the living room as it's a bit busier, but he never shows face when we're around. We've had him now for about a month. Is this normal?

Just recently, we started to handle him a little most days, but he's really wriggly and doesn't enjoy it. Is this the right thing to do? We want to tame him down before he gets to 6+ feet!

Mememe · Site Moderator Joined: 23 Dec 2005 Posts: 2141

Perhaps let him get used to you first, then try handling him.

Each time he sees you, he associates it with something bad (being handled), and will be cautious.
Maybe try to build a trust with him that you are a nice person Laughing

and, being naturally curious animals, he will most likely come and investigate you when he had lost his fear. Laughing

Then you can handle him.

It may take a while, but perhaps give it a try? Smile

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lol93 · Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 7:36 pm Post subject:

Worth a shot! Thanks.

Michael C · Posted: Wed Sep 27, 2006 2:28 am Post subject:

Over everything else, the baby salvators that I have raised love to eat small frogs. On one occasion, I even had one regurgitate a mouse, so it could eat more frogs. I hope that you can find a safe source for them because wild ones often have nematodes. Frogs are raised for human consumption where I live and the baby frogs are available from the animal market. Pinkies are also a good food source.
Cheers,
Michael

Scott W · Posted: Wed Sep 27, 2006 7:46 am Post subject:

that's interesting about regurging a mouse so it could eat more frogs...thanks for the post.
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johne.ev · Posted: Wed Sep 27, 2006 5:42 pm Post subject:

Hi.
i had the same thing regarding hiding with my hatchling Argus. this is normal behaviour until it gets used to your presence. as for handling not sure, since i stopped handling mine (except when unavoidable) it is much calmer & now feeds from tongs & no longer hides when i enter the room. mine also became a bit fussy with the insects, just keep offering them and it will probably start taking them.