Reptile & Amphibian Forums

About two months ago, my boyfriend acquired a baby Nile. We both understand that they are characteristic of aggressive behavior. The monitor, Lucifer, poops in his hand almost every time he handles it. Is this normal behavior? The monitor eats only every few days or so, but its usually a decent amount, it is feeding on ground turkey at the moment, considering it is the only thing it will eat (weve tried canned dog food on a few occasion and also feeder fish, toughies.) What is good about him, is he doesnt try to bite until after hes gotten away and weve scooped him up again (thankfully its always with a glove on.) I just wanted to be sure that the pooping and sporadic eating is normal behavior.
Thanks

Then the good people will be able to diagnose your situation.

The baby nile is housed in a 55 gallon tank, full spectrum heat lamp, large swimming area, repti bark as substrate, driftwood for climbing, adequate hiding area (rock den). Eats every few days, but a good amount when it does eat. Is feeding on ground turkey (its the only thing itll eat, so far...) Poops in your hand just about every time it is handled. Only tries to bite after it has succeeded in getting away and youve scooped it up again.

You should invest in a "temp gun". Pro -exotics sells them. Theres a link to their site at the top of the monitor forum page.

You need to have a really hot basking area. Were talking over 120 degrees! Give him hiding spots on both the hot and cool sides. Start introducing mice to him asap. Dont worry too much about full spectrum this and that. Just get him some heat, asap. Hes not an Iguana.

Also, ditch the bark, and go dig up some nice dirt. Hell love it. He can dig and burrow and be a dirty little monitor.

As far as temperment...hes gonna most likely be a jerk. Be prepared to have a huge monster on your hands. Youre gonna need to build a bigger enclosure in the near future. 8' X 4' at least. I hope youre not squirmish when it comes to mice, rats and bloody messes. Every once in a while even a Nile will get the urge to rip a rodent to shreds. Thats a LOVELY smell to come home to. Rat guts baking under the emmitter.

Your cute little Nile is a BIG commitment. I really hope you can step to the plate with this one. What Ive told you is just the tip of the iceburg. Youve got lots more instore for you.
What I really reccomend is that people take the time to research BEFORE buying that baby Nile or Bosc. You have just given that petshop owner more reason to buy more wild Caught little babies. They should not even be on the market. There are PLENTY of captive bred animals that make much better "pets". You cant go back now though. Youve got a kid to raise. Treat it as such.

Good luck to you and your new baby.

Rgrds,

Michelle

Thanks for the info.
About digging up dirt.... is that literally? or should i get my hands on dirt thats not gonna be buggy?? sand maybe? lemme know.
To tell you the truth, i am squirmish about bloody messes, but luckily, the monitor is my boyfriends, not mine, so he can deal. Im not so crazy about the attitude of the nile monitor, i wouldnt get myself into that situation, but three cheers for him that hes up for it.
thanks again, and well get started on mice asap

Thanks for the info.
About digging up dirt.... is that literally? or should i get my hands on dirt thats not gonna be buggy?? sand maybe? lemme know.
To tell you the truth, i am squirmish about bloody messes, but luckily, the monitor is my boyfriends, not mine, so he can deal. Im not so crazy about the attitude of the nile monitor, i wouldnt get myself into that situation, but three cheers for him that hes up for it.
thanks again, and well get started on mice asap