Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My juvi Nile is starting to show some serious signs of intelligence. I've been working with him and he tolerates my presence for routine maintenance and feeding times, but hes lately tried some interesting things. He will allow me to open the enclosure and begin my maintenance chores. He then moves slowly toward me. I was very excited by this at first because I hoped he was becoming less afraid of me. I was WRONG!! LOL. He checked me out and then looked at the opening and just took off! LOL. I caught him before he got out but I was impressed. Act calm and check out the scene and then break for your chance to get out. Pretty smart lizard.

0.0.1 Nile
0.0.1 Savannah (Hatchling)
1.1 Leosn (Young Adult)
0.1 Mali Uromastyx (Adult)
1.1 Redtail Boa (Adult)
0.1.3 Oscellated Skink (Adult and she had 3 babies!!)
0.1 Red Tegu (subadult)

Yeah, monitors are pretty smart. They have all day to watch you, learn your routine, then obtain things that they want. Begging is an easy one to learn, it seems. Go to the cage door, allow neck to be scratched, get food item.
Mine all know when they hear me take out the water pans, the cage door is open, and my back turned. So out they come. Otherwise, they stay hidden, if they don't hear water running. D.

My hatchling sav has picked that one up already too. When he hears that water running or the crix scratchin he comes trottin out to see me. Otherwise its hidin and diggin. LOL. Monitors are some of the most interesting captives one could ever have.

My Sav has definately picked up the begging for food thing... She peeks out of her hole... sees me walk past and rushes to the glass and plasters herself to it trying to climb up for food.. Its like a swiss ski jumper going for a hershey bar after smoking a joint *laughs* She knows cleaning times quite well too cause I don't see a glimpse of her unless I change the routine a little.. Then she comes out to investigate..
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Lucien

1.0 Columbian Redtail Boa (BCI)
3.1 Leopard geckos (2 Blizzard and 2 het Blizzard)
0.1 Savannah Monitor
13 rats
12 Gerbils
2 Dogs
3 cats
1 Albino Corey (fish)