Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello everyone, I hope you all are well. I have a question about V. melinus (yellow monitor) "taming". I understand that this is a very shy species that does not like to be handled.

I have read into past forums on taming and it seems that for the most part you all beleive that a non-handling (non-force-taming) technique is the best. Basically where one never chases, grabs, or forces it to be held... especially not everyday. One just lets the monitor see you clean the cage, etc, so eventually it learns that you are not a threat. I have read that this has been very successful, some to the point of the monitor actually enjoying a persons company. Climbing up someone's leg or following a person around the room, etc.

I am wondering if anyone knows if this "taming" technique will work with V. melinus, at least to the point where it feels comfortable out of it's enclosure and wandering the same room as a person. Again, I emphasize that I understand that this is a shy monitor, and that it may not be possible.

Anyone with experience with keeping this monitor have any good advice? Thanks in advance for all your help!

BTW, I know it's not a monitor, but I could not help sharing this picture of my little juvi. veiled chameleon!

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1.1.0 Leopard Geckos (Booger & Gimp)
1.0.0 Veiled Chameleon (Lucutis)

I don't think you do understand how shy yellow monitors are. No monitor likes to be handled. Monitors are not going to just sit still in your hands, and they hate to be restrained. Some individuals will tolerate it, but that does not mean they enjoy it. If a monitor is not afraid of you, it may climb on you to get somewhere or something, but not because it enjoys your company. Unless you have a some sort of leather armor that covers your whole body, especially the neck and head, letting an adult melinus climb all over you with it's razor sharp claws is not very much fun.

Even though I don't bother my yellow monitors at all, they still cannot stand the sight of me. I can only observe them if they are not aware of my presence, otherwise they head straight for their burrow the moment they see me. I think they would rather starve than eat in my presence.

Yellow monitors are a terrible choice for a first monitor, and if you want a monitor that you will likely be able to interact with and let roam around the room, V. melinus is a really terrible choice.

Good luck, whatever you decide.

Thank you for your reply. I thought this might be the case. I have heard from a couple sources that they are similar to Dumeril's behavior wise, but that doesn't make sense when many other sources say they are skittish and shy. Am I right in believing that a Dumeril's is much calmer and more tolerant? Would this be a better choice for a first monitor?

After researching long and hard, and after all the help I've received here in the forum, I think I will re-think the melinus. I really like the slender bird-like look to them. Anybody have any suggestions for a calmer monitor? Would a Dumeril's be a good choice?

Thanks again, everyone!
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1.1.0 Leopard Geckos (Booger & Gimp)
1.0.0 Veiled Chameleon (Lucutis)

I have a wild caught Dumerils monitor and I like its attitude compared to some other monitors I have kept. I do not handle it or try to hold it. I have a tegu, iguanna, dogs, cat, rabbits, goats, pythons, wife and one of my 2 chickens for holding and petting. I enjoy the Dumerils because it does not run when I come to its cage, it will eat out of my hand, and it does not hide all the time. Therefor I consider mine tame.

Other people may have very tame ones which they hold alot, but I don't.

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I want to die just like my uncle, asleep at the wheel, not yelling and screaming like the passengers in his car!

Ed

I think all of you are wrong! lol I have four (4) Yellow Monitors and have looked into any information I can find on this new species of monitor. I have found them to be very personable and easy to tame. Furthermore they are not known to bite even as wild adults unlike most other monitors. I have read that they are similar to the Dumirlis in temperment and I would have to agree to that. For someone who wants a larger species of monitor for a pet and has an understanding that all monitors are wild animals, then this is your best choice. Maybe more expensive than others available but well worth it. I recomend a captive born.