Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,
I own a few different species of Monitors and was thinking lately about adding a Timor Monitor to my collection. Has anyone on this list owned one or more and can testify to their over all temperament? My question is...with a slow good effort can Timors get accustomed to handling such as Black Roughnecks or Sumatran Asian Water Monitors or are they more of a display animal and should be handled only as necessary?
Thanks Steve

Some other people here are probably more knowledgeable than I am, but my blue spot timor hid a lot. He is the only reptile that I have ever had that bit me. It was my fault, and the bite did not hurt, just bled a little.

They are skittish and don't like to be handled. If you want one just for show and not to handle, their small size makes them great. Expect it to hide alot, though.
-----
Ed

There are water dragons, chameleons, and monitors in my jungle room.

My old timor (a big sucker), hid almost all of the time, he still does the same now at his current home. He can bite hard, it hurts when they strike at you, then they either chew, or maul away at the flesh until they feel like allowing you to get away. Beautiful animals, and decently sized (up to 30 inches).

I've had my male and female for 1 1/2 yrs now, and they have never truly 'enjoyed' handling. They are to the point where they will sit on their ledges and watch me (quite intently) clean their enclosure, as long as I don't make any jerky movements, they don't move. The male bites if I have him in my hands, the female is a little more sedate, but I have to catch her unaware to even get my hand on her. They are quick as lightning, expect a few escapes when you first get them. They are full of personality though, and a joy to watch! I love em!

Most Timors are very flighty and won't hesitate to take off in another direction. I have had 3 timors in the past 2 of which were c.b.b. My wild caught male was the calmest of all 3 and never tried to bite while the others had no problem nailing me. As a rule NO small monitor is going to sit around like a large water. I've come to the conclusion if you want something calm your going to have to go with mid sized-large meaning 4ft .

John Light
Pristine Pythons

i have 3 timors and i'm getting another one soon there all the timors i've ever come across have been handable, i've found handle them atleast once a week there tame.