You don't think that doing any of those things is stressing him out? You've had stuggles with him not eating before, no? Stress is one of the causes of this! Didn't you read any of Holly's posts on her way to effectively handle monitors?



I have a young monitor myself and have used a completely different approach which has worked wonderfully.(so far)



I first put a worn shirt in his cage so he could get used to my scent on his own terms(it seemed to work with the tegu's I had, so I tried it with my monitor). Then I would open his cage periodically and talk to him and hold my hand out for him to approach it and explore it at his will. Eventually he was comfortable enough to just walk out on my hand.

Now I can open the cage and he will walk out on my hand and up to my shoulder. Then I will go back near the cage and let him walk back into his cage when Im done holding him. He comes out on his own terms and I don't bother him or dig him up unless its absolutely necessary.



I think your approach will cause your monitor to appear having a "broken spirit", basically looking like they have lost all hope.

Imagine if you were just walking around one day and some huge monster picked you up and sqeezed your head, but he wouldn't let you go until you stopped moving. You struggle because you are pissed off and then when you finally give up he puts you down. How happy are you? Do you like the monster or would you try to crap on him and bite him the next time you saw him. Or maybe you would lay there and play dead.



Just a thought.

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