Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This may be a dumb question but...
I have an argus monitor that just recently started becoming rather defensive/aggreesive. I believe that she may be gravid, could this be the cause?

I do not see gravid females of the gouldi complex becoming aggressive or defensive. If anything at all, they may become shy. But only in the smallest of degrees.

They don't even become aggressive/defensive after they lay, which I have seen in some other species.

If I was to guess why some peoples monitors are becoming more aggressive/defensive now, it would be because its getting warmer.

Thats not to say, your monitor is not becoming gravid, she may be, I have no way of knowing either way. Good luck FR

Thanks, I just wanted to rule that out before I started looking to see what else may be the cause of her behavior change. I think it may be the cage then. She is now about 2ft. and I have her in a 4x2x2 cage that opens from above. I didn't like that when I constructed it, but this is her juvie cage and I plan to remedy this in her adult enclosure. So, basically I'm now thinking that because she's on the floor, the only opening is from above, and size of cage may be causing her undue stress. Any input would be helpful, just trying to get her back to her old self.

hahahahaha,
You won't get her back to her 'old self'.
She is growing, and changing. Let her be. She'll change in behavior and attitude yet again,.. and again...
This much I have learned. My female is a different animal from how she acted last year, and the year before. She's fun. She has some balls now she didn't before, but I don't expect that will last forever.
The male is rather consistent. He is King. But a kinder more benevolent king than last year.

And, for the record, my female gets irritable when heavy gravid. Recoils from touch. She stops that after she lays. Which is not to mean she'll act that way next time.
See how much fun monitors are?
D.

His question was, is aggressive/defensive behavior assoiated with females being gravid. Not whether they are sensitive to the touch, I get the feeling yours was backing away from the your touch because it hurt. Full like balloon, going to pop, ouch, get the heck away from me, look what you caused, its all your fault. oh wait, that last part was childbirth. Cheers FR