Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey Everybody
I recently acquired a BT baby from ProExotics. After about 2 weeks of acclimation Ive started handling him on a regular basis. Ive noticed that he would much rather be held without gloves but he is still squirming and scratching quite a bit. I could deal with the pain and the unsightly scratches but I was wondering if anybody has recommendations on an approach to proper handling. Basically how much time should be spent per day and should I le him wander out of my hands at all..Right now Im basically letting him walk hand over hand and occassionaly I will let him stretch out on my arm. The one time I let him walk around on the bed I was rewarded with a bite when I tried to pick him up again. This was the first and only time that he ever attempted to bite me. Ive heard that it is okay to vocally reprimand tegus and they catch on to this and I was wondering if this goes for monitors as well. I always try to maintain a soft voice when handling him now. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. I would hate to end up with an aggresive and unhandleable BT.

thanks

Vin

Lizard, but common sense says that when they are exploring their new world and all of the sudden a big creature starts screaming open mouthed at you, it probably means its gonna eat you, its attacking,etc, to them. Keep everything as quiet and calm around them as possible when they are learning you and the new world, so they can learn to trust you. After all its better to get bit when little than when big. I like gloves when little to lower damage to your skin, but I also prefer handling them when small without gloves. If you want a handleable monitor then let it learn to trust you by getting to know you, if handling has the opposite effect then handle less, but I almost always handle them everyday, and they learn to trust me, and come to me. This is the difference 21.5 months can make to a female albig (BT/WT cross). Shes 2.5 months and 20 inches in the first pic and 6ft 1/2 inch in the second at 2 years old, this is a good reason to have them learn to trust and like you.

I have not attempted to verbally reprimand the monitor. I was just wondering if what I had heard was true. I had actually read that on a care sheet and training guide that I had found for Tegus on the internet. I always try to keep things as quiet as possible when handling the monitor. He is setup right now in a 40 breeder in my computer room. he doesnt have to deal with regular house traffic in here. I had another question actually. How much time is usually spemnt sleeping. My monitor seems to 70% of the day. Is this normal?

Verbal reprimands do NOT work with tegus either.
Patiently building trust by providing for their needs is what works. Shvar gave you very good common sence advice for raising a trustworthy animal. Attempting to dominate your will on another usually results in raising a problem child (hmm commonly seen in people and dogs too =P )

Stella St.Pierre
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Stella St.Pierre
www.bluetegu.com