He only does it when trying to hump, but it is getting worse, he is latching on longer and harder. Does anyone have any ideas on how to stop this behaviour or get him off when he's biting?
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My Ackie is Biting
svictoria
Apr 19, 2006 12:02 PM
Replies (4)
jburokas
Apr 19, 2006 06:59 PM
he's biting the females nape (neck)???? that is normal breeding behavior. sometimes the female will get some scars, but it's nature. the male also will scratch the female with his hind legs to encourage the mating position. if he's biting you while trying to hump....i'd be mad, too if you tried to pull me off during that business 
svictoria
Apr 19, 2006 11:08 PM
He is not with a female, he is our only ackie. Do you know how long he will do this behaviour for?
mhhc
Apr 26, 2006 08:58 PM
Hi, Ackies tolerate interaction better than most monitors in my experience, however they still don't really enjoy being picked up. I would try more of a hands off aproach, ackies are inquisitive by nature and will come out to check you out once they don't feel threatened by you. My ackies will climb all over me and go back into their cage on their own. It is just a matter of building their trust, right now you are most likely over handling it and stressing it out so it is trying to tell you to leave it alone the only way it knows how (biting) It is really worth the paitience to get it to come to you on its own terms.
On a side note my ackies have only ever bit eachother when they were asserting dominace, actual mating does not involve biting. Much more experience keepers than myself have observed that too.
Cheers,
Steve
SHvar
May 06, 2006 10:17 AM
Ive noticed from experience and from other keepers who actuaclly have bred monitors that when monitors bite each other in what appears to be mating behavior chances are you are seeing their version of prison sex, it is usually a sign of dominance. The male are very gentle and dont bite if they are mating, of course there may be a few species that do so, but I dont think bitters are a good sign in mating. Head bobbing side to side, eyes closed, but slow low head bobbing side to side and a friendly rubbing against the female with the head, nose, and chin is normal.
