By the time a monitor reaches around 18" and doesn't appear to ever be handled (not to mention is probably wild caught, despite the store saying it was captive born) - except when you get it, do you think it's worth the time and effort into taming him, or is he too far past the taming area?
I've been thinking of just getting a baby one whom I can work with much easier so by the time he does get that size, he'll already be fairly docile.
My blackthroat attempted to tail lash me about four times today. Just putting my hand in the tank he puffs up, hisses, opens his mouth, and tries to tail whip my hand. My way of getting him out is with a small shirt of mine, I distract him with it, while my other hand goes and holds his tail (you can feel him trying to raise it to lash) and then I put the shirt away and completely pick him up. He loses his aggression then (no more tail lashing or hissing) but he constantly tries to find a way to escape. I hold him for about 20 minutes and during the whole time, just when you he thinks he's fooled you into believing he's relaxed, he suddenly tries to dart away. (I did relax when I thought he was relaxed and barely had a grip on him - suprised me when he almost dashed away.)
He's healthy and eating well (3 fuzzy rats today) but I'm wondering if it's really worth the amount of time required to try and tame him. (I say try because if he's as big as he is now, can he ever truly become tame?)
I have other lizards that are very friendly (such as my 3 1/2 foot tegu) and I handle them daily as with everything I own, but the blackthroat's aggression I just don't know if it's worth it. I was offered $50 store credit to bring him back and I could put that into maybe some water dishes or mice, etc. for my "good" lizards.
What do you think?
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Aggressive juvenile blackthroat, worth taming?
Replies (5)
Without a doubt worth the effort, how long have you had him? Keep in mind the differce between an 18in and a 12in may only be a month.
Juno, is currently 30 inches, I've only had him around a week and he is begining to trust me a bit more each day. Today was the first time he ever tail whiped, and that was only because the dog waled by and startled him. Trust me, he hisses a lot and at times when holding him he has his mouth wide open at me, but he is no longer continuing to try and run from me. Post a few pictures, here is mine
Yuor albigularis will tame down when "it" decides too, and when its percieved threats are no more...so be patient, and do not be angry with him/her when it slaps your face with its tail or craps all over you...be patient. Wonderful animals.
mbayless
After reading that I thought you might have stolen my blackthroat. lol
Fluffy is a rescue, never handled, but pestered often, no heat source, catfood diet, newspaper for substrate.
Fluffy has a strong distrust for us stupid humans but, I am working on making it better. I have yet to be bitten but dang, that tail is accurrate and hurts.
Scott
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Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.
yes, they are worth "taming", you have to understand at 18" you are very big to him, probably being wild caught he sees you as a predator possibly, or a threat of some kind. I bought my blackthroat when he was only about 8-9 inches and he was obnoxiously evil, but with constant daily handling sometimes just even getting in his cage and touching him, getting him to be familiara with my presence. It never helps to force the issue, and once in a while he will still get spooked and whip but it is all just part of the game. Im not saying it always worked or if it even worked in my situation, but i put an old tee shirt in my BT's cage that i had worn for a day, it seemed to work, to get him more familiar with the sent and the presence of something outside, but most of all it is just the daily routines that get too them. Much luck, dont give up, they are worth it once they trust your presence.
They are all different, if it doesnt calm with you handling it, then let it alone and let it learn to trust you on its own, it may never be handleable, Ive seen that.
