Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Just want to know the temperment of these guys. I read somewhere that they are afraid of humans and run away when you try and pick them up. I also read that they are tame and dont usually bite? Are Black Rough-Necks comparable in temperment to Dumeril's monitors? I am interested in both of them and want to know which has the better temperment?

Thx in advance for any responses.

I have much experience with this species - one of my favorite! They are sweet, calm and very tractable. One the BEST pet species. One of the problems is that young imports can be very delicate. Don't read Daniel Bennets book with regard to this species - it's bunk.
The other problem is that most people don't understand what their husbandry requirements are. They are water monitors as much as tree monitors, and like much warmer temps than many other species.

Cheers
Jim

Furthermore to what Jim said: They range from Burma to Philippines (1 found there by D. Bennett recently - not seen since 1836!), and require ample water to completely soak/swim in, high basking temps, high humidity, ample insect food (this is an insectivore), and lives in semi-social groups, so keep them together in groups! Thats pretty amazing for an arboreal animal that lives 120 feet in the trees! Like Reptilia spider monkey's!

There a few articles on this species, and it is an amazing one at that!

good luck,
m bayless

My black roughneck is awesom, talk about hand tame couldnt be any nicer never has tried to bite noreeven hisses, hes a sweetheart always climbs on my arm when im doing somthing in his cage hes realy anawesome lizard

P.S. MY BRN has been sneezing latly a lot, i think it might be his topsoil substarte should i make the humidity higher, also im usng a 75 watt bask bulb should i go to 100?

Hello,
If your rudicollis is sneezing, raise the temp and humidity ASAP, and you may wish to take it to a vet - but it might have a respiratory/infection, and sneezing can be the first signs of said malady....the soil should'nt be harmful to the lizard at all, unless there are pesticides in it....
good luck,
mbayless

Like Mark said, dirt isn't a problem, it hasn't been for me.

What concerns me, with this species, is they are just plain too nice. Being shy and rarely defensive means, people will be tempted to manhandle them more often. Just because they are not biting you, doesn't mean you are not stressing them out by handling a lot. Yours suddenly getting sick, is a clue something's up.
For the record, I have a huge WC as an adult male, and he will not bite in defense. (I also have one that will, hehe) This does not mean he isn't stressed to heck by handling. Rudicollis just show it in other ways, IMO. Getting sick is one.

I wish these guys had biting in their repetroire more often. Biting seems to be the only communication that gets through to people. People just ignore the other signs, poor rudis.
D.