Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What I am really asking is how people go about NOT handling their monitors. Anyone on here have any large potentialy dangerous animals that they make trap boxes or anything along those lines? I have often wondered about this and have some of my own ideas similar to that of boxes for hot snakes.
Most people that I talk to(not on here)just grab their animals. To me that seems like a sure way to kill any trust. But there are many more people that have a heck of a lot more experience than me and I'd love to here other ideas.

That’s how I work with larger adults and nervous species, I use partitioning at feeding for most of my larger animals, I use this partition when I need to work the enclosure, for regular maintenance I do it at night when they are sleeping.

I handle mostly smaller animals for observation, I enjoy the feel and built of medium sized monitors, the larger ones make me nervous and cautious so I mostly leave them alone, they do come to me and allow touch, but I don’t lift them or restrain them in anyway, unless its necessary, in witch case I get an assistant.

I sold all my captives this weekend do to reoccurring illness, I guess handling monitors will be a none issue from now on.
To all varanids keepers hope they bring you fascination amazement and enjoyment they have broth me thru the years.

Good blessing
regards

Jobi,

You got rid of all of your captives? So sorry your illness is so severe you had to give up one of your passions.

Its been a pleasure having you around so don't go anywhere because I have just begun the fascination and amazement!

Its not April fools day, is it?

Best of luck to you.

Hello Jobi,
I hope you know that whether or not you are keeping anything anymore, you are an irreplaceable part of this forum, community and the herp world... Stick with all you can, and Mary and I offer our very best to you- Mike & Mary

Jobi,
I don't post here much, but I do follow many of the threads and especially enjoy all of your posts here. I am very sorry to hear that your illness has caused you to have to give up your monitors. I wish you the the best of luck in the future, and I hope that you will continue to be a part of our community. Your knowledge and passion for these animals is very clear to all of us and you have been a great asset to this Varanid community.

Best wishes,

Jon Mckinney

Steeve
I wish you the best of luck with your illness!
Hang in there Brother, and GOD Bless you and your family!
Mike

-----
Mike's Monitors!

Or not to.
Its simple, if your monitor accepts you doing so then its fine sometimes to do so.
BUT, if you have most monitors the only reasons to handle them are if you need to move them, to take them to a vet, or to check closely for something unusual.
I have a few monitors that are great examples, Sobek seems to seek me for attention, but my ackies are somewhat tolerant, my flavi-argus can de very dangerous and flighty to be handled, so why push the subject. If I handle those that do not want to be, our relationship goes down the crapper, why make the hate me, Id rather be trusted so that they stay in the open when Im around, or allow me to do things in their cages, rather than try to turn them into something they are not.
I have dogs and a cat that love being handled and human attention, I dont "need" as some think they do, to handle my reptiles for attention or affection, I understand that they dont want it, so why make their life uncomfortable, unless they allow theis on their own terms.
A quote from Jane Goodall
"The only way we can form a relationship with an animal is to do so on their terms".

Also, an anonymous animal behaviorist.

"Wild animals that can be domesticated have some of the same or similar communications and behaviors as humans".
Keep this in mind, this is why dogs and cats are 1000 times easier to relate to as humans.