Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi Everyone,

I was thinking of purchasing a black throat monitor. I do have previous experience with other monitors (e.g., ackies, mangroves, and a nile).

I'm curious to know about their behaviors and habits. Do they typical spend the majority of time basking in the hot spot? Do they spend the majority of time under the substrate material hiding? Are they active diggers?

Typically, are they aggressive? The nile I worked with was somewhat handleable.

I appreciate your responses...

Thanks,

Scott S.

Ive had several BTs and 2 BT/WT crosses, they all have had a different personality compared to each other, Ive had 2 niles that acted different (1 ornate, 1 common), Ive had a few bosc that acted different. But, if you compare an albig in general to a nile the nile is more high strung, flighty, hissy, and defensive. Albigs are impressive animals that can amaze you at how strong, imposing, smart etc. they are. They like to dig, climb, and occaisionally they like to take a dip in water thats not too deep. In the wild they spend alot of time in trees, and in or on rock piles (hence "tree leguaan" and "rock leguaan". They can tail whip like nobodies business (communication, defense, etc). They have jaws like a vice, and dont usually release for a while if they bite in defense. They get big, grow fast if kept properly, and make great captives if you have alot of room for ever growing bigger cages. Years ago my first albig got me hooked, and Ill always have at least one or two. They bask sometimes everyday varying amounts of time, they also like to have a secure underground hiding place to sleep, relax, feel secure, conserve moisture, and regulate their temperature. They can eat what seems like non stop.
Thats a hatchling BT on the neck of my female BT/WT cross.