Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I got a new Savannah about 4 weeks ago, and now he is about 7-8 inches. He seems to be pretty well adjusted to his new home, and has a great appitite. But whenever I am moving around in the room he goes into his hide box. I have heard many people say to never get a monitor out of his hide box or he wont feel secure, is this true? If so, when is the best time to get him out of his cage?

it is best to let the monitor to become used to you being around as it grows and gets older it will get used to you and will come out more it takes time with monitors ,definatly when it comes to baby ones

This is completely normal behavior. At this stage its sees you as a preditor that may be out to eat it simply put thus the running to a secure area which you call a hide. When you take it from the place it feels secure obviously that breeds insecurity and vulnerability. As far as taking it from its cage, i'd suggest to start handling it in its enclosure to start for short periods and once it gets accustomed to that, then try bringing it out for short sessions of holding. It will be very squirmish at first but will settle down after a while but its usually because it knows it cant get away which im not sure is good or bad. But if what you're after is a docile animal then this is one way of obtaining it. Another way is patience and allowing it to come to you when its ready. How this is acchieved is by constant pressence and allowing it to get use to your scent by placing your hand or item of clothing in its enclosure or using food as a motivator. This is the method i used and one day while i was clean the enclosure it just crawled up my sleeve onto my shoulder and say there very contently. T

What I have been doing is gently picking him up after he feeds, and he is a little squirmy at first, but settles down and lets me stroke his head, and hold him for hours at a time without an escape attempt. Thanks for the response.

I have a baby sav. He was 6 in. when I got him. I have 2 spots to hide in. The one on the cool end, by his water is a large rock slab against his water dish. This morning he was under the slab. I have to move the slab to clean and empty his water. Usually he goes to his other hide when I clean.
This morning I moved the rock and water bowl, cleaned it, replaced it, added water, and replaced the rock. He never moved!! Just sat there and watched me.
I think I am making progress.
Diana

I would suggest it is not trying to escape anymore because it figures escape is futile. It has given up.

It spends alot of the time in its hide, and runs to its hide when you show up, because it knows what you are going to do.... Restrain it until it gives up.

--Robert

Today he was in his basking spot, and as I opened the lid to stroke him, he was alert, but not defensive. I picked him up without him trying to struggle, and when I pet his head he closes his eyes. Every time he eats, about half of the crickets are eaten out of my hand. I have made the mistake of taking him out of his hide before, but I will not do it again. Thank you for the advice.