Oh I know this one will get interesting...

I just read a lot of posts, and rather than try to do this each time, I started a new thread.

This observation is based on one solitary animal, I'm sure that will change real soon.

Our monitor is housed in his "baby room" at 4 feet wide 2 deep.

By august the enclosure will me more than double that.

Now, OUTSIDE there is 40 acres mine, and access to hundreds more.

This monitor has a distinctly different set of behavior outside, than in.

His "cage" is (I use "his" loosely, unsexed animal) his "Sanctuary" and he protects it as such. trespassers are immediately EXTERMINATED when placed in his "cage"

Out in the open meadow however things are examined with curiosity, inquisitiveness and probably caution.(by Chomper)

Unless someone has the room to allow a monitor to roam freely, then it would be nearly impossible to dispute the findings of someone who has the room to do so properly. I only wish I had the climate to be outdoors more often.

I have witnessed recognition between reptiles, seen behavior that defies written text and have found that much the same as Frank, that given the opportunity to chose for themselves rather than being forced, our animals will tell us what they want, regardless of what the books may say.

It's way over due for some new books.

Regards,
Wayne A. Harvey
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1.0.0 Ball Python - Python regius "Cane" Rescue
0.0.1 Eastern MilkSnake WC "Carmello" adult super sweet temperment
1.2.3 Storeria dekayi Casper, Xena, Athena, & Kids (30 plus released!)
0.0.2 Thamnophis marcianus - Checkered Garters "spot" & "Zig"
the snow melted, sorry.
2.1.0 Thamnophis sirtalis - eastern Garters
0.0.1 Thamnophis sirtalis - "Flame" red and white stripes
1.1.0 Thamnophis sirtalis CB "Flame" & Melanistic
1.0.0 Thamnophis pickeringi - Puget Sound Garter "Sky" (adult, Sky blue)
0.0.1 Nerodia sipedon - Water Snake - "Aqua" adult WC
0.1.0 Storeria occipitomaculata - Red Belly snake (Her children were raised & released)
0.0.1 Amelanistic Corn Snake "CY" Juvinile CB
1.0.0. Pueblan Milk snake "Oreo" adult CB
1.0.0. ASIAN GREEN SNAKE 3' WC Cyclophiops major"Limon"
0.0.1. Savannah Monitor "CHOMPER" Growing fast!
0.1.0. Green Anole "Crystal" WC
1.0.0. K9 "ACE" Black Cockapoo
0.2.0. Feline"Felix"(R.I.P. 4/27/08) "Kaja" & "Silver"
2.1.0. calico RATS
2.4.?? Mice - Feeder farm - Crickets / fish
More herps than I could ever list out back on the land.