Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've read varying things around the net. So now I'm going to ask you guys for your opinions.

What is the temperment of Columbian Black and Whites like, in your opinion? Generally skittish? Aggressive? Do they become dog-tame with handling?

I've read some people say that even with handling, they will occasionally tail whip and get kind of huffy.

I'd go straight for Argentine, but that extra foot in overall size makes a bit of a difference for me at the moment.

you may consider a blue. they dont get quite as big and are tame as argentines. at least mine is

yeah, id probably go with a blue... you have a much better chance of taming it. colombians have a rep for being nasty. of course, my argentine was a sweet as could be from the day she was born...
ian
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buy the ticket, take the ride...

If you're willing to put a little more effort in in the beginning, I saw go for the colombian. But definitely get one that's still young. It definitely takes time, but if you are consistant (and I mean EVERY SINGLE day) then it's totally worth. My guy, Blake, is freaking hilarious. He's got sooo much personality. I love him to death. I've also got a blue and she's very sweet. A lot mellower than he was at her age. Blakes still got a lot of spunk, but he's my little angel.

Lindsay

Yeah, the petstore here has one that's probably just shy of 10 inches. So he's not overly huge yet. But not super small, either.

I'm just trying to decide on whether or not I want it. I'm worried about getting a lizard that will grow up to be a vicious monster. There's nothing wrong with that, I guess, because they also make great display animals. But being able to handle it is always a nice thing.

Also, how trusting are you of your Columbian? I mean, would you reach in and pick it up without a second thought? Or do you put a second thought into it, scared of being bit?

I read a previous thread where a guy had one on his shoulder and it grabbed his ear? heh. Sounds like he trusted it a bit *too* much.

I'm VERY trusting of Blake. I open up the front of his enclosure and just reach in and get him. No problems. He's only bitten me once in almost two years. However, since I have been the only person who's worked with him day in and day out for the length of time that I've had him, I don't let anyone else just reach in and get him. In his enclosure, he definitely doesn't put up with strangers. He doesn't even care for my husband getting him out, though he's never actually bitten him. But I definitely trust my guy, he's great.

Here's a few examples for ya. I take him to the pet store with me on a few occasions and I just let him go loose and he just walks around and explores stuff (not something I would do if the store didn't have linoleum, too much traction) and allows people to pet him. He was a part of my wedding. I've dressed him up for Halloween twice and he's quite tollerant of it, all things considered. He's just an all around great lizard.

The only "problem" area, as I mentioned before, is that on his home turf (which is the entire apartment because I let him out to roam around every day) he's not tolerant of other people. He'll let me pick him up and do whatever to him, but he will not let others touch him unless I'm holding him. That's pretty much fine with me though, since he's my baby.

Hope that helps you a bit.

Lindsay

That was indeed my Argentine BW that grabbed on to my ear, and yeah it did hurt quite a bit. That was about 2 weeks ago, and he and I have come leaps and bounds since then. It seems like everyday he trusts me more (and I him). The members of this forum gave some really great advice on how to curb his biting, and it has worked great! I now feed him out of his cage and I always make sure to wash my hands and put on hand lotion before touching him (so I don't smell like food). These things, in combination with handling everyday have done wonders! It has been a week since he nipped me! In conclusion, thanks everyone!
JonV