Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just got bit by my (probably) wild caught Black Throat Monitor today! It was a mean bite! My monitor is only 24 inches total, 10 nose to vent, but he sniffed me and grabbed my finger. I dropped to the floor so he wouldnt get hurt if he let go, but the little lizard only tightend his grip and tried to drag his catch across the dining room floor!

My boyfriend had to assist me in getting my finger back. We were extremely careful not to damage his jaw, but even so, a tooth came out in my finger! How bad is this for my monitor? Will he grow one back? Will he have permanent damage?

Also, I don't know if this is related, probably not, but 1/2 hour to 1 hour after I was bit my muscles began getting really stiff- my neck, also my lymph nodes hurt, and face hurts to the touch! Maybe I'm getting sick, but I wanted to make sure I don't have some komodo dragon like infection. I worry too much, but I feel funny!

Any diseases I should watch out for, since my monitor is probably wild caught? he really bit hard, and drew a lot of blood, although now you can barely see the bite, and the wound site is not swollen or infected at all.

Are we OK?
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Zsa-Zsu and Corny the Corn Snake
and Monaco the Argentine B&W Tegu
and Meanie the Black Throat Monitor

How did it happen and what were you doing?

I have been bit many times from harmless cuts or bruises to large lacerations. Also lost a fingernail a time or two but they grow back. I have never experienced any problems with healing from any of them.

Usually I end up putting the animal back in its cage, then either wrap my wound in my shirt or the nearest rag. Often the rags are just some that are laying around nothing special or clean. I then go about my buisness. The larger more lacerated cuts I rinse with tap water and wrap them up. If I think of it I apply some peroxide or some such thing.

Your monitor will grow its teeth back and lose many throughout its lifetime.

I got bit by a 24 inch WT once that held on for 25-35 minutes and took removing him carefully with water and a small screwdriver (I wouldnt suggest trying this, its hard on both of you if not done correctly).
Most of the swelling, throbbing, and fever etc is from nerves and adrenaline, dont worry about it. Id clean it with betadine, or peroxide if not too bad. They have a very very powerful set of jaws on them. A 4ft male of mine broke a piece of bone off of one of my fingers grabbing a mouse, it happened in a split second, he never held on either.
Id bet they have possibly the most powerful set of jaws in the varanid world, Ive been bit by WTs, BTs, waters, niles, bosc, timors, etc etc.
You'll be fine, it must have smelled food.

I am glad my BT will grow his tooth back! I was so worried, because I never had any problems with a reptile losing teeth I didn't know that this was OK.

It happened when I was just holding him, as I do everyday. The bite wasn't out of aggression-no tail whipping or hissing. I think he just smelled me with his tongue and wanted to eat me! I probably smelled like quail.

I am just glad I am not in danger of getting sick- i felt sick last night, but i think it was the macaroni and cheese...
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Zsa-Zsu and Corny the Corn Snake
and Monaco the Argentine B&W Tegu
and Meanie the Black Throat Monitor

Every time he eats sometimes he loses one, they are usually warn out and are replaced fast. Usually the front 6 rows (the sharp ones) drop out fast and grow back fast, the back ones are like molars and are rounded off, alot tougher. Believe me we recieve alot more damage than them in the bite, Ive had one good visit to a hospital from one of my BTs years ago, it was only 4.5ft long. Ive had bites that should probably have had professional medical care but I have alot of experience in treating myself by now. A few good bites by monitors and you learn ways to avoid them.