Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a new baby sav and so far the only times I have handled him is when he first arrived and when I moved him to a different enclosure. People keep saying if I don't handle it, that the sav will become aggressive. I was under the impression that it should not be handled and just go about doing maintenance and feeding and eventually the monitor will realize I'm not a threat and start to come over to investigate and then I could handle it if it allows it.
Who is right?
Should I handle it now as a baby so it will be a calm adult or let it be and it will realize people are not a threat and be a calm adult?

The latter is the correct method. Force handling just reinforces that you're a threat and will stress your monitor to the point of death if you continue the practice. Monitors are inquisitive by nature, so it's only a matter of time until positive interaction can happen. With the feeding response that most savs have, it won't be too difficult to interact with it eventually.

I'd say your #1 priority is husbandry. Make sure the animal's habitat has the proper conditions, has clean, fresh water as much as possible, and feels nice and secure. Good luck with the animal!

I have a nile I have been trying to tame down a little. I have just been putting my hand near it in the cage and letting it smell around and get used to it. If he seems to stressed i remove my hand, if he doesnt seem bothered at all I will touch him tail or back, again removing my hand if he seems to stressed or angry. So far it has been working great. With the nile I dont really ever expect him to be tame, I just want to try as hard as I can for him not to recognize me as a threat, savannas are usually easy to tame down, the key is just to make sure he isnt stressed about it.