Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Just got my croc monitor yesterday from lllreptile and boy is it a butiful lizard!!! I need to find my digital camera and i'll have some pics up, right now i have him/her in 55 gal with about 2 inches of water with some goldfish and crix. He/she dosent seem to be as aggressive as they say, hopefully it can be tamed!

Scar onmy arm from a "TAME" crocmonitor. For your health and the crocs I hope you understand what you are getting into. Salvadorii are by far my alltimefavorite monitor to keep but the amount of respect that they demand is not for the casual keeper. Build a huge cage. Ian

By the way ditch the goldfish.

parasites?

Goldfish contain thiaminase which breaks down thiamine (vitamin B1).
Thiamine is extremely important for muscle development so feeding goldfish may affect the growth of your monitor negatively.

Ditch the 55 gallon too!!
I hope this is an overnight type cage?
No matter of it's size a 55 gallon tank is the worst choice for even a hatchling.
Mike
-----
Mike's Monitors!

dont worry, its just overnight, new cage is being finished tomorrow...hopefully will have pics up soon.

That's GREAT to hear Brother!
Mike
-----
Mike's Monitors!

I wouldn't even think about "taming" it. I mean, what do you get out of the word tame?

Would it mean that you can handle it even when it gets big? I have owned several with a beginning notion of just that. That is just not the case. A casual, non aggressive bite can result in serious injury. I think most keepers experience these when they let their guard down because the monitor is acting so "nice". You figure that he won't do anything to you because he is so calm.

That can change in a heartbeat and can lead to some serious hospital bills.

I feel they are deffinaty more of a observed monitor than one to interact with like anything that is "tame".

Just be carefull and never let your guard down. Even that might not matter thought when the time comes. There would't be much you could do to even prevent a bite.

Aren't they called tree crocodiles because they live in trees??? Or is this one like those rare "aquatic senegal chameleons" I once saw a guy display in one of those semi-aquatic tanks? I once saw "aquatic" green anoles in a pet store too. Perhaps I'm missing something here.

Taming probably isn't what you meant, rather mutual toleration. I have one that I am training to obey voice and hand commands. She has come a long way in just a few months. I believe they are as smart as any dog and she proves that everyday.

My only advice is to be patient and let it explore and get used to you on it's time schedule and you will do fine.

...and your right they are not as vicious as people say.