Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I noticed that your monitors are always wearing harnesses in the pictures youe post. I have a 4 foot, 1.5 year old, male common Nile monitor. I leave a small dog harness on him most of the time. Are you using dog harnesses with your monitors or have you found another kind that works better? I have trouble finding dog harnesses that aren't too loose around the lizard's neck.

Yes, those are small dog harnesses I use on my large monitors. It's okay for the neck portion of the harness to be loose, you don't want to choke your monitor; it's the chest portion that needs to be tight and secure under the front legs that's important. If it's not tight, your monitor will slip right out of it by backing up.
Take care,
Nessie's Mom

Nessie, my ornate monitor

would it benefit my timor monitor if i bought him one of those lizard harnesses (if i could even get him into one) so he could explore the world out of his terrerium? i'm not trying to turn him into a dog, i dont handle him at all cuz he doesnt apreciate it... but i was thinkin maybe he would like this, and i would have fun w it too of course.
-jake

Yes it would benefit you (as long as you have a long leash attached) so if your monitor were to "take off" you could always grab the end of the leash to stop the escape. Or say he already took off and hid, all you'd have to do is locate the leash and hopefully your monitor will be on the other end. That's the only reason we keep the harness on Four Dots, so we can attach a "pink" (easier to spot) leash to her, allowing her to roam freely and thus put our minds at ease so we don't have to watch her constantly. Just make sure your harness is tight and secure around the chest area so your monitor doesn't back out of it.
Take care,
Nessie's Mom

Then I wouldnt use a harness. If your monitor doesn't like to be handled then he/she is not going to like being stuck on the end of a leash. This will only lead to elevated stress levels.

I was looking forward to the pics of a timor in a harness and the cut up human that put it on.

Scott
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Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.

which is why i asked, but the topic sparked my curiosity.
thanks guys
-jake

I've only put harnesses on ornates and niles because I am experienced with their temperment, actions, and displays. I can't speak for other monitors' behavior upon being harnessed. I was just explaining to you MY EXPERIENCE with MY MONITORS so I don't know if I would attempt to try to place a harness on a timor or any other monitor that doesn't take to handling AT ALL. How else are you going to get the dagum thing on him??
Good luck,
Nessie's Mom

but i was being optimistic.

I never seem to see anything tied to the harness. If a leash is not attached then what good is the harness?

The leash was not attached for picture reasons. Besides, if Bruce or myself, is outside with her, observing her, there is no need for the leash. Plus, the harness is never removed, only adjusted if needed. In the pic below, you can see the leash in the bottom right hand corner. Bruce insists on bright color leashes in case he's had too many beers and forgets to watch Four Dots and she wanders off - he can readily find her (LOL). Hasn't failed yet!
- Nessie's Mom