Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My new Nile Monitor is about a foot in length and is very flighty. When ever I walk into the room where hes kept, he freaks out and runs around like a madman. And when I hold him he hisses loudly and occasionally bites. What would be the best method of taming him? I've tamed Savanna's before, but this guy is a challenge.

Thanks,

Adam

i was recomended 2 different methods that supposedly would end with the same results,alas they did not,heres the methods-
1:-handle the nile everyday for atleast 30 mins and hopefully after a few months of this the nile should learn you arent a threat.
2:-dont bother the animal in any way shape or form,do what you have to for tank maintenance but thats it,the nile will recognise that your not a threat and curiosity may get the better of them.
Which did i choose?
No.1 of course and 2years into it i gave up,i could handle her but the minute she knew she could escape my hands she was off,so now im going with method 2 which is surprisingly quicker at taking effect than i first imagined,now she no longer runs at the sight of me and is even starting to come out to see what im doing if im in her enclosure.Who knows maybe one day i will be able to "pick" her up but im just glad i can watch her do her stuff without fearing me
You may well opt for no.1 as its instant interaction but i'd seriously go with no.2,it may've took 8 months for her to come out her shell but its worth it1 more thing,it all depends on yor definition of "tame",im going by my own definition,that is that she no longer puffs,hisses bites or runs,handling doesnt really come into it now

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see yah laterz people
jason