I have the chance to buy a nice male, 18 inch long Mangrove Monitor. What is most attractive about him is he appears very docile. He does not bite, claw, thrash, or deficate when held. You can even touch his head bare handed with no hint of biting. I am familiar with the Mangrove's "reputation" but this guy handles like a Dumerils and I view each reptile's personality as an individual. I do have monitor experience. For those that have them, any advice or tips are greatly appreciated. Bill.
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Mangrove Monitor Advice
Sarge2004
Mar 03, 2005 09:05 AM
Replies (4)
crocmonitor
Mar 03, 2005 12:59 PM
My Mangroves have always been skiddish and didnt like being handled, ive had about 5 mangroves about 10 years ago. Maybe see how he acts when hes warmed up. If hes healthey and thick and handleable when warm, sounds like a nice little mangrove.
Jimmy_Jazz
Mar 03, 2005 02:20 PM
when ever I am looking to buy an import I look for the most alert and agressive animals as they are the healthier individuals, I worry about the "taming" process later on after the animal is through its quarentine.
drzrider
Mar 03, 2005 03:28 PM
Anytime I see a calm young monitor my first instinct is to ask, "what is wrong with it?"
I guess it is possible that it is a calm one with nothing wrong with it, but I would be suspicious. Any idea how the monitor is kept? or what temperature?
Mangroves are pretty monitors.
-----
Ed
These heat lamps make my electric bill to high.
joeysgreen
Mar 04, 2005 03:36 AM
I love mangroves. Like above, I would first question it's tameness. Often at herp shows for example, the animals are on the cool side and thus are a lot more docile. Again, if happy, healthy, and well kept, then it is great to have it tame.
I keep my mangrove as a display animal and am not a fan of handling them, but that's just a personal preference. I have found that when unfiltered sunlight is available, and when the enclosure is more "wild" (diggable substrate, lots of hide areas and plants) then the animals become more aggressive/defensive. Now perhaps this is just a more subtle degree on better husbandry equalling more natural behavior or it could be just a reflection on my not handling it. It's hard to say, but
just something to think about.
