A couple of things. First, the films most likely a setup, that is, wild monitors do not allow themselves be filmed to often. It could be real, but there is a better change its not.

Albigs do commonly use trees, so do ackies. I have found ackies up in rocks and up in trees. I think the the highest was about 20 feet up. So thats not really way UP in trees. Savs climb small trees too. I get the feeling all monitors will climb. So do flavis, an ultimate burrower, etc.

One common reason is to see, after rains, grasses can grow quickly and tall. This blocks their ability to see. So they climb up trees to see, or to get dry, or for nest robbing or because they want to(to investigate).

And your right, most people including the academics pigeonhole hole monitors. They do so, to the harm of the captives. Thats why I place literature and academics down on the list of whom I listen to. I believe the monitors first, no matter what anyone says. You know many people don't. Then I listen to successful keepers or field guys(non-academics). Then I listen to casual folks next. Ones that have no reason or interest to pigeonhole them(prejudice them). Then I read literature or hear academics. But only keep an awareness of whats said, I do not let it override the better sources of information. Oh lastly, beware of TV, consider hows its done. To have a clear in focus shot of monitors doing natural behaviors is very difficult and rare. Of course it could have been a park monitor(like a park squirrel) Then its great, because they too are monitors, only not afraid of people and cameras. Cheers

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• "rock" monitor from Animal Planet show? - 6speedimpala, Sun Jul 2 22:58:09 2006
• RE: "rock" monitor from Animal Planet show? - groundskeeper24, Mon Jul 3 00:52:10 2006
• RE: "rock" monitor from Animal Planet show? - 6speedimpala, Mon Jul 3 22:40:36 2006
• RE: "rock" monitor from Animal Planet show? - groundskeeper24, Tue Jul 4 00:34:46 2006
• RE: "rock" monitor from Animal Planet show? - FR, Tue Jul 4 10:39:07 2006
• RE: "rock" monitor from Animal Planet show? - groundskeeper24, Tue Jul 4 11:54:35 2006
• RE: "rock" monitor from Animal Planet show? - FR, Tue Jul 4 14:46:25 2006