I have a savanah monitor and he is VERY aggressive. I handle him daily and have had him for over 6 months now. The pet store said he was returned once for aggressive behavior, but I wanted to take on the challenge. I do not mind the abuse with the scratching and hissing, sometimes biting. I just want this beautiful lizard to realize the love my boyfriend and I have for him. We named him Durango and he is currently about a foot and a half long. He is getting older and I do not want him to be this aggressive when he gets around 3-4 feet. Is there ANY tips ANYONE has to help me tame this aggressive monitor.... thanks-- amy & danny
2006-07-11 17:10:08 · 6 answers · asked by amethyst_mitchell 1 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
Keep after him; hold him, carry him around a LOT--be calm, --move slow,(except to catch him,)---*don't* let him bite you-- make him eat *while* you hold him. Do Not! hurt him, or frighten him more than you must. -- keep being patent.
Never put him away till he has been calm for a while--(even just a little while) since that is what he wants (away from humans) --don't let him "win"
he may never understand love (many reptiles don't) but *most* will understand *No harm/good food.*
But, they are individuals, after all
While most will be OK with humans, some few will be Very loving, and some few, (sadly) just too spooked/frightened/hostile to make good pets--(often they were abused before)
Have you been belly-rubbing him? sometimes that helps-
-I used to take my water moniter into the shower with me
2006-07-16 15:00:19 · answer #1 · answered by eldri 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
man about a month ago i saw a guy bring one in a pet store in vagas and said he found him in the walls of a friends house..he had its mouth taped shut and its feet ducked taped together it looked scarry and hearing that yours bites often. sounds a bit scarrier...... but maybe the one you got was abused im sure that one that guy brought in is gonna bite someone many times when he gets a chance...... or have you had him check normally if an animal is aggress it might be from medical reasons
2006-07-12 01:24:02 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are usually completely docile.
I think the only reason it would be acting that way is because he doesnt feel well.
Did you check him for Mites? Parasites?
Hows his appetite and his stool?
Hissing is ok
Scratching is normal.
But you dont want to get bit by them all the time
You could get a bad infection from their bite.
2006-07-12 00:17:36 · answer #3 · answered by snakeman11426 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
we were given one that was just as bad, had to handle him with welders gloves we ended up giving him to a friend that keeps herps and within a month he was as tame as a kitten I asked him how and he said he just picked him up and carried him around whenever he was home, guess the monitor just gave up!
Good Luck
2006-07-12 05:55:09 · answer #4 · answered by Loollea 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when feeling cornered, all animals will be agressive,savanas are normally docile and show this behavior only when feeling thretened.however, it is normal for males to be more aggressive than females.all i can say is: keep doing what you are doing.frequent handling is really the only method you can use.he will either acclimate to your presence or he won't.good luck.
2006-07-19 02:29:10 · answer #5 · answered by retrac_enyaw03 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
May I suggest new shoes or a handbag ??
2006-07-12 00:14:17 · answer #6 · answered by Snowman 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋