Reptile & Amphibian Forums

anybody have any good ideas on how to calm or tame a nile monitor? thanks

There's not really a way to tame a monitor, you more or less have to build a tolerance up with this particular species of monitor. I've yet to be bitten by my nile, which I'd had for 6 months, but have been hissed at. I've learned quite a bit on this forum and agree with the theory that a wild animal is what it is--A WILD ANIMAL. There is no TAMING a monitor. Don't think that just because your monitor is "acting tame" that all is well. Check your temps and feedings. It's not necessarily good for your monitor to be mellow, but to display the traits of a monitor the way a monitor is suppose to be (wild). My nile, Jefferson, is fairly tolerable of me. He isn't afraid of me but still puffs up and hisses when I sneak up on him. He stands at his enclosure door and hops on his hind legs so I will let him out. He then usually wants to sit on my shoulder or climb on my head...which is all good because he's only a little over 2 feet right now. Just work on tolerance though, it's much more logical and more likely to work than 'taming your beast'. Good Luck! --Marie--

i've also noticed that when i put my hand in his cage to clean the water or whatever, he hisses. but like today i was letting him swim around in the bathtub and he was fine when i picked him up. so do u think there is a territory issue also.

Well from his perspective you're a much larger "animal" and he has established his enclosure as his territory and his home. It's only natural for this animal to show some signs of agression. With my nile, when he puffs or hisses, I leave him alone and respect him and his space--by doing this he sees i'm not a predator or harmful to him because he can get away and not have to deal with me. He lets me know when he wants attention.
I have yet to be bitten --knock on wood-- because I watch his body language closely and avoid conflict with him. He also knows where his food is coming from and understands i'm a provider of sorts and a way to explore outside of "his space". I'm no pro at this but by reading this forum and making my own mistakes, I'm learning. If you follow the threads andask questions here, you will find a lot of information and tips which is extremely helpful. I haven't really found much information about nile keepers, and when I do it's usually pretty negative and anti-newbie. They are known to be an agressive species but I have seen some "nice" examples as well as the "evil". No one has been able to show me pictures of a nile bite either, just water and other monitor bites, which I find interesting. But if theres any questions you have I'd be happy to help you if I can, if not I'd gladly help research as I'm interested in providing better care for my monitor as well! --Marie--

thanks for the info.

No prob. I'd love to hear about your nile as not many people have nice things to say about their monitors Niles have such a bad rep., but can be such amazing animals given the proper keeping and attention.--Marie--

I have had a NILE MONITOR (juvenile) for about 3 weeks. I am wondering the same thing. I read often "easily-tamed" but haven't heard how? So I only have a large terrarium cage, not a vivarium with swimming. So I take him out (with leather gloves) and put him in a hot bathtub once a day. I let him swim for an hour or more. I thought that would get hime used to me handling him. It doesnt seem to be, so I plan to just hold him for a few hours every day. He was really aggressive one day on the way back from the tub. So I just held him in his cage. He relaxed a bit, so I relaxed a bit. And again, and again. I held him for about 10 minutes, talking to him, just gently holding him, and he didnt fight. Got any ideas? I am bewildered too.
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