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Hey All I know this is a very vague question, but what makes monitors so much harder to tame than almost any other reptile or animal for that matter? I understand they are very intelligent, alert, and easily startled, and have many predators in the wild. That being said it you have a cbb or farm bread I would think that they would not be "as" timid.. And with the level of intelligence these animals have I would see that as a huge benefit once you can understand the animal and how they think..

So with the proper husbandry, care, patience, and knowledge why couldn't you tame almost any monitor?

Just curious of some of the "experts" out there have to say..

thanks all,
Ed

>>Hey All I know this is a very vague question, but what
>>makes monitors so much harder to tame than almost any
>>other reptile or animal for that matter?

I don't think this is the case. The tameness of monitors varies greatly by species and by individual. Many species, such as savannas, black throats, ackies, and salvators, become calm and tractable quite regularly. Other species, such as Niles, tend to remain wary and untrusting.

>>I understand they are very intelligent, alert, and easily
>>startled, and have many predators in the wild. That being
>>said it you have a cbb or farm bread I would think that
>>they would not be "as" timid.. And with the level of
>>intelligence these animals have I would see that as a
>>huge benefit once you can understand the animal and how
>>they think..

What I have found is that hatchlings and juveniles are the most wary and high strung, and the lizards almost invariably calm down as they get older. Many (like the savannas, salvators, etc) become easy going and trusting. Others, like Niles, just remain somewhat less paranoid. Still others, like arguses, stay wacky-crazy but are bolder and less likely to flee (wacky-crazy in a fun way - I love these guys but they do keep you on your toes). This makes sense if you think about it - everything will eat a baby monitor, but a big, strong adult can more easily defend itself.

And yes, monitors raised by humans from the time they are very young are more tolerant and tractable that those obtained as wild caught adults. The latter are real monsters, almost impossible to work with in many cases.

>>So with the proper husbandry, care, patience, and knowledge
>>why couldn't you tame almost any monitor?

My guess is that monitors are smart enough that the naive training methods people tend to use teach the monitor to be scared of people. If you try to tame a monitor by holding it a lot and forcing lots of contact on it when it is uncomfortable with being touched, you are just teaching it that people do things to it that cause it stress, so that it learns to fear people more, leading to more stress when people try to interact with it. Instead, you need to build its trust by becoming a source of good, pleasant things (like food). This takes time and patience, and you might not be able to interact with it at all during the time it is growing up. Still, keep at it and respect your lizard's boundaries, and you are more likely to be rewarded by a pet that trusts you.

As an example, I have raised a group of Timor monitors over the last year from hatchlings to adults. During this time, I have almost never handled them. Within the last couple of weeks, things have progressed to the point that the big male will take food directly from me and not run when I open up the enclosure, and two of the females will come out to eat when I am standing there with the enclosure open.

Luke

Luke that was some great info and very encouraging!!

The monitor I recently acquired is blue tail that was farm bred and born in captivity. He has been worked with a little by the store I purchased him from. I understand these monitors are more reclusive and flighty, however I am hoping that over time, as he grow and get more comfortable with my presence that he will be handlable and able to roam comfortably under supervision. High hopes from what I have heard. However he is very comfortable in his cage already. He is out much of the day, either on top his hide, or in the basking branches. He will also tolerate me working in his cage without fleeing... I hope to be able to build the relationship to a point where he doesnt need to fear me. I understand this will be a long process.

>>Luke that was some great info and very encouraging!!
>>
>>The monitor I recently acquired is blue tail that was farm
>>bred and born in captivity. He has been worked with a little
>>by the store I purchased him from. I understand these monitors
>>are more reclusive and flighty, however I am hoping that over
>>time, as he grow and get more comfortable with my presence
>>that he will be handlable and able to roam comfortably under
>>supervision. High hopes from what I have heard. However he is
>>very comfortable in his cage already. He is out much of the
>>day, either on top his hide, or in the basking branches. He
>>will also tolerate me working in his cage without fleeing...
>>I hope to be able to build the relationship to a point where
>>he doesnt need to fear me. I understand this will be a long
>>process.

So far it sounds like your new acquisition is a good prospect for becoming fairly interactive. The fact that he has adjusted quickly and remains out in the open when you are around is quite encouraging.

One detail I forgot to mention earlier is that male monitors tend to be bolder than females, so the males are more likely to get to trust you, while females will tend to be more reclusive and nervous.

Good luck,

Luke

Hello Ed,
This is a pretty common topic on this forum and the archives probably have many different answers. My answer begins with a question: What are your reasons for handling? You are aware that many other big lizards "tame" and handle much better than monitor lizards, like cyclura iguanas and tegus for instance. Monitors do not deal with handling well and putting your hands on them, gloves or not, will not be for THEIR better. Monitors like chameleons should be enjoyed by viewing and interactions should be limited to various feeding practices. It unfortunately takes us humans many years and many monitors to grasp this fully. You have chosen a beautiful species and it will take it time to get to know and trust you. You have already got it made because your monitor tolerates you in it's space without panic. You have told of how it actively explores and basks in the open with you viewing- these are great signs of trust. I believe that they may slowly learn us over time and understand what we represent to them- you must be something important, worth exploring to them to trigger them to interact with you. But ultimately you will want the lizard to choose interaction rather than the forced handling(terrorizing) that many people practice. Also, your monitor, like a parrot, will remember your every interaction- make these pleasant... Food is the best point of interaction to start at. Your lizard will teach you in time, what it is all about so have patience... Monitors are wild animals, should be admired for that and ultimately if you force that from them they will also lose what it is to be a monitor- this is obvious when it is encountered... Try to focus more on what your lizard needs from you- there are some here who can answer that- and how you can better it's life and your experience with it for the next 20 something years. I'll give you an example: You mentioned roaming- the key is to build a monitor enclosure that you can roam in...- Some keepers have done that! Think of how you can convenience your keeping without harming your lizard. If you focus on this, when your lizard is grown, it will be "tame" to you... Why doesn't this question appear on the chameleon forums??? Best to you Ed- and I'll pm you soon...- Mike S

I have some monitors that hate me. They won't let me look at them. Others that let me look, but thats all, and some that scratch at their windows/doors to come out. Some that respond to different colors for food, others that dont.

You see, from my experiance monitors are highly individual, even more highly individual based on the person who is raising them up. Lots of variables with few constants.

I don't know what your tame is, but when some of mine readily come out and interact with me on their own, then go back into the cage again on their own within a few minutes; I dont call it tame, not like a dog, but it is cool. Same with the different color food responces, for example; if I go over to a few of my cages with yellow, I had better be weary.

But I think in general a lack of understanding makes the monitors not want to work with one. That is, it is all about the person working with the monitor, everything happens when they (the person) say it does. Whereas if you do it the opposite way about the monitor on their terms, things work out significantly more so...spend the time with them and it is worth it.

Cheers,
Mike.

Glad to hear you're getting an animal thats sounds pretty well acclimated.

Before I say anything furthur, hope you use gloves when handling or working with them. I'd hate to see you get bit from being in highhopes. Doreanus are known to have some of the largest teeth for monitor 4ft give or take.

When they respond to food, it's an awesome way to 'get your foot in' into the whole interaction, 'taming' deal. I work with my Quince monitor that way. Since he's grown some so now i've broken out the pair of gloves.

First off big thanks to you guys for the GREAT information and support!!! I am very excited and appreciate you guys giving me a chance!

Mike perhaps you can chime back in, why is it that monitors are best left alone? I completely understand working with the lizard on his terms. Thats how I approach all my reptiles. I also get the concept that they remember the bad experience forever but seem to quickly forget the good ones..

Yes as I stated he is very confident, or bold with me around. Today I had to make some hide adjustments to his cage as well as add a great amount of substrate and some moss. I took him out of his cage after letting him smell me and not retreat. I quickly realized I did not have anything ready to put him in... So i got resourceful and put his hide on my bed, with a sheet on it. I was kinda worried and realized this wasn't the best case, but was quickly reassured. I looked back and he had come out of his hide and was partially under the blanket looking around flicking his tongue. he watched me for a while and i approached him, with the back of my hand available. he smelled me a few times and didnt move. after a few minutes of him looking around with me right there he went back under the sheet. only to pop back out a few minutes latter and I repeated my steps. After I finished his cage mods with him watching me I approached him again. I presented myself the same way and he did not retreat. I lifted the blanket off of him and scooped him up supporting his body with my arm. I placed him back in his cage and he slowly walked off my arm and checked out his cage. Now only an hour later he is back basking!!!! I realize as I read some of those post that it could have been a very bad experience... But I have to say I think it went really well! He never seemed threatened or scared, maybe cautious at best, but more curious!! I have to take that as an amazing sign!!!

I am just curious why people think monitors are so different than any other reptile in regards to handling and taming? Retics are wild animals as well but they tame out well.... Just curious what separates them some much other than intelligence, which I would think was a good thing?

Thanks all!!

Monitors just tend to hold grudges if you force yourself onto it. like pulling it out of a burrow for handling, things like that. if they come to you willingly, handling wouldn't be so difficult, but strappin on a pair of gloves and sit their with the lizard will not really work. A relationship has to be built.

Hi again,

I don't believe my post ever said they are best left alone or anything of the sort; neither in terms of groupings or from your own interaction.

I mean, lets be honest, I don't have them to avoid them right? Thats why I work with species that you don't have to avoid so much; that are more outgoing if you will. Also if they don't want to be seen, well, they wont be; its a suitable enclosure that allows that. So if you take the approach you speak of no matter the species it greatly improves your chances of a monitor that is tollerable of you; however, it doesn't solidify them.

Goodluck,
Mike.

yea, really...and why is it so hard to get lions to become vegetarians.

I know this is also a vague question, but I often wonder why people are so obsessed with taming monitors. They're wild animals, not dogs.

Ask the same question about people who tame bears or lions or any animal like that. I believe that some people like challenges and more so, the rewards that come from being successful with the challenges. Not to mention that monitors are awesome intelligent reptiles. What you are saying was probably said when dogs first became domesticated although reptiles are more difficult because of their vastly different lifestyle,, ect. Monitors aren't for everyone. Some people have trouble with leopard geckos so why would they even consider a monitor, On the other hand , there are those of us that have been into reptiles our whole life and are ready and excited for that kind of challenge.

What I was getting at is that it sounds like people who obsessed with taming what is essentially a wild animal, have control issues.

Nature, Nurture. Monitors are intelligent and some definately have a certian disposition over others. All in all it depends on the animal though. Certian monitors like the nile are much harder to get there trust but is still possible. Although every creature that is alive has its own personality and getting to know that brings you closer to "tameness" I trust my nile much more than many dogs I have been around because I know him better and he knows me but that takes alot of time and some frustration but when you make breakthoroughs with the animal, they are so rewarding. Its not like having a leopard gecko or anthing like that where there are really no moments you have getting to know each other, good or bad. On a side note I have never been bit by my nile but have been bitten by rabbits, snakes, dogs, cats and many other creatures.lol You get the picture. Cheers