Monitors are like many other animals.
In this case monitors, claim territory. Monitors first move is to fine and secure shelter. It really doesn't matter if its in a cage or outside. For instance, if you go catch a wild monitor and take it out of its know area, then release it, it will FIRST, try and find a hole or hollow to go in. It will stay there until it feels safe to leave, it will then find another and another. It will increase its area, by going from safe spot to safe spot. if its harassed of course it will remember which of these safe shelters are closest and go there. They are expert at remembering this.
In your cage, there is no safe spot. That is, there is no area with it can hide totally out of sight and safe. You do offer a hide of sorts. So of course it will use that. But please do not consider its need is taken care of. Of course its not.
They need to feel safe, not like a one legged ground squirrel can dig them up.
So now you offer something barely useable, but its very close to the door and you are moving all around that shelter, the one it cannot really hide it, and you wonder why it becomes all defensive. It has too do that, or go comatose, which is the other option monitors do.
To me this subject is so very very sad, the poor monitor is just trying to do what it does naturally. Only in your cage it cannot do it. Its stuck being halfway safe(poor shelter) IT has two choices, give up(go comatose) or protect itself. This should not be a wonder. I think we were all(???) taught this in basic biology, you know, The fight or flight syndrone. Only in this case, there is no where to take flight too. So back to the two options. fight or give up.
The good part is, you gave it enough to offer some ray of hope to the monitor. The bad part is, its not enough.
Again, its so sad to me that folks do not understand how to tame a monitor. Its easy, give a safe place, you know a burrow or hollow where it can feel completely safe, then give it reason to trust you. Once it trusts you on its own accord, you have actually accomplished something. This is normally done with positive reinforcement, that is, food. First train the monitor to find food in one corner, then progress from there to eating from your hand, then up your arm, then on your shoulder, then about the room, then the dang thing learns this whole deal is fun and safe. Ok, it sounds simple and it can be, but of course monitors are individuals and some are more difficult then others. This is where your patience is tested.
With monitors, negative reinforcement usually ends up with a dead short lived monitor. And that is backed up by millions of examples. Causing them to become comatose has indeed resulted in death over even short periods of time.
The reality is, monitors are very insecure. They are also high strung. Yet they are trusting and curious. They also have an unfailing memory. Don't offend them, do offer them benefit. They will remember. The trusting and curious part is your key, work in that area and you WILL SUCCEED. Cheers
