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What is the best way to get an Argus Monitor tame ? How often should I hold it . I don't hold it a lot because I don't want to mess up his eating habits . Although , I found out recently that he will eat right after I hold him . Should I hold him everyday or what ? Thanks

Hi, I prefer the word "tractable", which to me, means an animal that`s learned you mean it no harm, and reacts accordingly (trusts you).
I`ve found the best way is with food, something they absolutely crave! No guarantees, time and patience is what it takes, no need for forced interaction.....

I scooped him up today before I read your reply & all went well. He hissed a bit & I was rubbing under his throat . I bought him about 4 months ago but I rarely hold him . I will make more time for holding because I don't want him getting big & acting crazy .

Hi again, using food to get them to trust you does NOT mean forced handling, it means feeding from tongs, so the animal realises you don`t mean it any harm, over time (it might take several months, it could take much longer), as the lizard gets more at ease, you can gently try stroking on the side of the body, neck etc, but don`t attempt to pick up at this time.
It must be done at the monitor`s pace, not yours!

"I don't want him getting big & acting crazy"

That is the essence of what an Argus monitor is. You should have chose a different species.
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robyn@proexotics.com

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Robyn...
Would you elaborate on that comment....I too like argus sp. but are skeptical about the willingness to be handled alot.
Bryan

They get large, at the uppermost end of the "midsize" category.

They are high strung, super active, and need a larger cage than body size matching, because of their overly active nature.

They aren't interested in interacting with you all that much, and while a neat species in the wild, I don't think they make that great of a captive because of their caging and activity needs. Cheap though.

If you like that type of lizard, a better choice would have been a Flavi, a Flavi cross, or even a Gould's. All smaller and less ridiculous than the Argus.
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robyn@proexotics.com

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Pro Exotics Reptiles

I would not get any species of monitor and expect it to tolerate being held a lot. I mean it might, but I would not go in assuming that. Really this goes for any reptile, but especially monitors. If you can come to terms with just enjoying the monitor, its like a nice bonus if it doesn't mind your presence.

For instance I got a baby nile off a kid on craigslist a few years back because it was to "mean". He is still not what people would call "tame", and I wouldn't dare reach in and try to pick him up. He does allow me to do cage maintenance and feed him without worrying about me to much anymore, and it took a long long time to get that far. That's awesome though because I went into it knowing he might always stay crazy, so its more than I expected.

I keep and breed Argus Monitors, and Flavirufus pure, and Ackies and a whole boatload of species of Monitors for a decade now. I have to disagree that there's that much of a difference in any of them. All the Gouldii types launch themselves out of the cages for food, Flavirufus included. I've been tagged by more Flavi's than Argus actually for whatever reason (internet folklore that they're not food aggressive? ). Heck, my Ackies launch themselves and bite at anything that's moving too....just that they can be handled a little easier without sustaining an "ER bite". But most all Monitors are nutty and flighty if kept sufficiently hot enough - you can't beat that out of them as it's their nature (and personally I like that attitude). That's just Monitors. Don't buy a Monitor if you need to hold a lizard....buy a Beardie or Blue Tongue or something else with less of a will and drive. But yeah, an adult male Argus is a 4.5-5 foot animal....not exactly small.

here some pic of some of my argus from 97 to 2005 i no longer keep monitors for now no time, with work, but i still got my cages
someday, in few yrs i'll get back into them but for now my snakes are taking to much of my time i rember when i opened the lid the run right up 2X4 or tripod and pitch them some food one thing i dont miss is the dirt and for some reason they really enjoyed vision cages but they both kill you if you open the glass
enjoy

Argus are awesome,but tame and argus dont go together,get 2 and watch them play tug a war with a rat,lol.