Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm looking into getting a frilled Dragon but don't know if the store i work at can get one, my second choice was a savannah but have read conflicting info regaring their temperament. So I started looking into ackies and am now wondering which species you think has the most personality and which has the likeliness to become more handleable.

Both Ackies and Savs are not considered difficult species, as far as temperament.

Consider, taming is a skill mastered by keepers. Its a learned skill and not based on species and such.

The reality is, its about you and your skills. If in doubt, do not get monitors yet, work on your skills. Good luck

This question has been asked over a hundred times, and their is no right answer, it depends on what fits you best. Ill break it down for you.

1. Savannah is cheaper
2. savannahs are a larger creature
3. savannahs are more prolific eaters
4. savannahs are more common

1. Ackies have a better temperment
2. Ackies are more expensive
3. Ackies are excellant beginner monitor
4. they grow to be a much more manageable size
5. Ackies tend to be much hardier

it really depends on temperment and size, while any monitor can become tame with handeling, the ackie will need MUCH less attention than a savannah, and a savannah will almost double a ackies size especially in wieght, these guys turn into fat lazy creatures if not taken care of properly. I own 2 savannahs and a nile, i have friends with ackies, Im happy with my sav's but i like a larger more wild creature, it all depends on you.

Cost doesn't matter since I have a job I'd prefer a lizad I can actually handle without it thrashing about or constantly trying to get away. I still would prefer a Frilled Dragon although I don't think my store can get one in. I have no problem with taming. What species do you consider to be more responsive to their keepers?

Well, first of, most frilled dragons will thrash and try to get away. I recommend an ackie. They become tolerant of human contact very quickly, and they are also very active. Savannahs are usually somewhat boring compared to ackies.

I have had a Frilled dragon. It was huge at almost 3 feet and had a mouth that was enormouse. The fangs were large enough to make me keep my hands away from it's face. Other than it's impressive size, it was boring as heck. He just sat there and never moved unless I put a large mouse in its enclosure. Then he would jump down, catch it, and crunch the bones. (hearing the bons crunch was cool, LOL)

I think most people would enjoy a monitor more than a frilled. Monitors are more active than a frilled dragon.
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Ed

So will Ackies actually tolerate handling for moderate periods of time???? I'm looking for something that I can handle when I want and has personality but is also active and interesting. Any ideas other than a bearded dragon???

" I'm looking for something that I can handle when I want and has personality but is also active and interesting."

That is exactly what an ackie is.

Go for the Sav,,,,,,,,,, you sound like you want a nice pet. If you take FR's advice and make sure you can handle, properly house and feed it, you will be very happy with the Sav. The most important thing is keeping your monitor healthy and happy. If you think you cannot handle it than try something else.

I don't own an ackie or a sav. I have known people with both though. In both species, I have seen wild jumpy ones that don't tolerate handling at all and ones that will tolerate handling as long as a person does. I haven't seen either in their cages for long periods of time, but they both seem to be pretty lazy unless there's food. That is just what lizards do, they enjoy basking and getting their temps up, then eating. However, I have noticed that if you give any lizard a really toasty hot spot, after spending time their, they will start to pant for a while, then patroll their cages for a while. They seem to be looking for any territory rivals. It can be pretty fun to watch. Also, I always thought it would be cool to give a monitor a ball that is too big for the monitor to get a grip on and put a hole or two for crickets to get out of, then fill it up and give it to the monitor. That sounds like it would be fun to watch. If you try that though, make sure you use a ball the lizard can't pop, swallow, or break (wood might be a good choice) and deffinately be sure to post pics.

How big do Savv's get???? I've read they stop around 2.5 feet but then I read they can get up to 6 Feet???? I would assume thats in regards to B/W throats right????? Are Savv's active at all or are they kind of cat-like in behavior???

Cat like behavior? I hate to ask this question but how old are you? I think you have alot more research to do, as of right now Id say go with a dragon, you can get them at LLLReptile.com and Reptilecity.com, monitors are not what you are looking for.

The biggest sav I've seen in person looked to be just short of 4 ft. Howver, my memory might be messing with me and it could have been a white throat. I can't give you a very good answer to that question.

Actually, I don't see what the problem with your question regarding "cat like" behavior was. I've observed some qualities that I suppose you could say are somewhat cat like in nile monitors, though they are of course very different animals. Tame individuals tolerate contact, but mainly because you feed them and provide them with a warm place to live, like a cat. I've never had one that seemed to enjoy contact though. They may bite and scratch if you overstep your bounds with them, like a cat. They hunt simliar sized prey. Something else I've noticed with Nile monitors is that they don't like to be restrained. I've kept monitors for several years now (only have one at the moment) and other reptiles (mainly iguanas) for about as long as I've been alive (I'm in my mid 20's now).