Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Plain simple question. What species of large monitors are generaly the tamest. Im talking CBB monitors. Do water monitors tame down as adults?

I would not say thay any varanid is actually tame. However some species do take human interaction better than others on the whole. I think it is more down to individual animals more so than anything though. Waters are generally non-aggressive. So to answer your question, yes waters are generally chill.

Hello Pithons,

If you are going by the true definition of tame, then you will be hard put to find a monitor that fits that definition in every way. If you want a lizard you can pick up when you have to and move about, feed and work with out hassle then you can find this in just about any monitor if you start them well from a baby. You do still have to know how to work them. Wanting a large monitor may limit you to having to find an imported baby (unless you will have an argus)which means it could already have some abuse in it's memory and this will be evident in it's defensive responses so patience will be key. Monitors in general are very intelligent lizards so if you are looking to make one a "tame" animal, you will first have to keep it healthy at all times so it does not stress. If you do well with this, food will be the bonding force. They will learn quickly to associate food with you. I have recently raised what could be called a "tame" breeding pair of blackthroats and have handled many large "tame" called reptiles including water monitors that were kept for many years by their owners. What I can tell you is to choose a baby of whatever you are looking for so it learns you and choose an individual that behaves as to your liking. Once you do this, if it is not captive bred, be certain it is healthy via observations and stool tests. To get what you want won't simple like some other animals resolve but best ot luck in your search. Best to You- Mike S

Finding CB large monitors is always a challenge. Black throats are nearly always WC, waters too. Although NERD and Prehistoric Pets both breed waters but NERD breeds albinos, so the cheapest ones are over 1000 (for 66% het, the albinos are 15,000 !), and PP breed for the sulfur trait, so they're 1500 (100% hets, 2500 for sulfurs). Neither of them produce normal monitors, they only produce albinos, sulfurs, and hets of the either of them. If your dead set on a CB (which is always a good thing) go for Argus Monitors. Nice patterns, fairly large, active, readily available, and interesting behavior.
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Jason

I can't speak for any species other than a Black Throat. I had heard or read all sorts of things both pro and con about how tame they could be, but mostly the "cons" came from people that have never owned one. I traded a Tegu for a yearling male a couple of weeks ago. He at first huffed puffed and hissed but let me stroke him and seemed to like it. Based upon advice on another forum, I raised his basking area to 135f and was told that he would not be the nice guy he was. He is still a nice guy despite what they said.
I give him a bath every couple of days as he is shedding. He wanders around the bathroom and eventually climbs into my lap. I stroke his head, neck and cheeks. He closes his eyes and goes to sleep. He responds to my voice as well. When I pass his cage, I stop, open it up and give him a scratch on the head or cheeks several times a day. He still gets hissy on occasion but has never threatened. He still tail whips once in a while when he doesn't like what I am doing but the whips are now sort of half assed and not serious at all.
Can you tell I love my boy, Nyeusi Kinabo, (a Swahili name)