Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am the reptile keeper at the Alexandria Zoo. Someone gave us a blue-tailed monitor and he keeps rubbing his nose raw and it bleeds a lot. He was first in a big neodesha and he rubbed it on the glass front then we moved him to a wire fence cage that he can climb on and he does it there. So i covered the cage in sheets so he cant see out and I will see how that goes. Any ideas on why he is doing it?
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Thanks for posting here, I really enjoy this species.

The monitor is rubbing his nose on the surfaces of the enclosure because the enclosures he is in does not meet his needs. He is attempting to find a way out either because he does not feel secure, does not have the proper humidity, does not have have adequate temperatures, the cage is too small, or he finds something else unsuitable. His behavior is likely in response to a combination of the above issues. He is essentially telling you to meet his needs. Plastic neodesha cages are not good for monitors and wire cages are especially poor because they do not hold in humidity or heat and do not provide security.

Varanus doreanus requires a large enclosure. This species needs a variety of places to hide, including deep, moist substrate (leaf littler works well), a deep water basin, and hollow logs. They really like to climb. They are typically nervous in captivity, avoiding human presence by shifting their activity when you aren't around and running for cover when you come around. My four foot male V. doreanus would commonly hide when it heard or saw me coming into the room. As I learned how to meet its needs and interact with the monitor on its terms, I saw more of it and it began to tolerate me coming around.

This species is truly beautiful and makes for an interesting captive if its needs are met. That can be difficult as they need plenty of hides, high temperatures and humidity, and lots of room to roam and climb. If they feel secure and truly are secure, they will not attempt to escape as often or look elsewhere for suitable habitat. Make him feel secure and you will be rewarded accordingly.