Help deciding on a monitor.

[Tyguy35]

Hey, so I am looking into a monitor, I am not a first time reptile owner been doing this years. The monitor would get proper and great care.

I would like a monitor that is somewhat medium to larger and not so timid I know that lots of handling will be needed for a monitor to not be so upset or hostile with you. Which one would you think would make a great monitor to handle. My first thought was a bosc but I would like to hear other options as well.

Thank you.

[smy_749]

Hey, so I am looking into a monitor, I am not a first time reptile owner been doing this years. The monitor would get proper and great care.

I would like a monitor that is somewhat medium to larger and not so timid I know that lots of handling will be needed for a monitor to not be so upset or hostile with you. Which one would you think would make a great monitor to handle. My first thought was a bosc but I would like to hear other options as well.

Thank you.

dumerils and rudicollis

[Tyguy35]

I forgot to mention I would prefer not havin to wear gloves to handle.

[smy_749]

I forgot to mention I would prefer not havin to wear gloves to handle.

Well that narrows it down quite a bit...

[Akuma223]

My rudi is great, he can be super pissy but he will be curious and come out and climb on you pretty often.

[infernalis]

as a big fan of the hand off approach, I am between a rock and a hard place...

Monitors are very rewarding to keep, but not if you are going to handle it all the time.

[Pirarucu]

as a big fan of the hand off approach, I am between a rock and a hard place...

Monitors are very rewarding to keep, but not if you are going to handle it all the time.This. If you want something that you can just yank out and hold whenever you want, then a monitor is not what you're looking for. Trying to tame it by grabbing it out of its home will only make it hate your guts. Leave it alone and win it over with food, and you might get somewhere.

[smy_749]

After waynes post I went back and read the OP post more carefully, I have to say I'm guilty of not reading it all the way through. I can't actually think of an appropriate medium to large monitor that is fond of man handling.

[Mikoh4792]

get a komodo dragon.

[Amadeus]

get a komodo dragon.

Agreed.....

[murrindindi]

get a komodo dragon.


I think the wooden Komodo dragon carvings are great, very realistic and can be handled from day one,......
Actually, there are quite a few species being modelled these days, usually in clay or plastic, though they aren`t nearly as tractable as the wooden ones.... :wacky:

[Tyguy35]

Well I didn't really plan on grabbing at it constantly it was more of a
Open his cage and allow him to do its thing. When it comes time for me to move him or put him back it can be tamed to be somewhat ok with me picking him up or touching him when I need to. I would love a tegu but I don't like the hibernation part.
Boscs are my favourite though so far.

[infernalis]

Well I didn't really plan on grabbing at it constantly it was more of a
Open his cage and allow him to do its thing. When it comes time for me to move him or put him back it can be tamed to be somewhat ok with me picking him up or touching him when I need to. I would love a tegu but I don't like the hibernation part.
Boscs are my favourite though so far.

Get a Bosc.

House it right and you will never regret it.

Just stay alert, when heated up, they are FAST.

[Gatorhunter1231]

A large bearded dragon would meet your expectations. Argentine tegu for anything larger. They don't have to cooled off during winter.

[smy_749]

A large bearded dragon would meet your expectations. Argentine tegu for anything larger. They don't have to cooled off during winter.

I have to agree, bearded dragons are often the best option for what people are looking for, but I'm hesitant to suggest it because people always say they'd like something more exotic.

Bearded dragons are awesome with handling, and can reach 2 feet in length. Never kept any argentines though

[B_Aller]

The monitor would get proper and great care.


What does this mean to you? Please explain your concept of "proper" and "great" care, that will be a big help in determining what species to suggest.
Best.

[Grendel]

I used to have 2 large tegus for a number of years, you don't have to hibernate them, that's only if you plan to breed them. From my personal experience the monitors that can have personalities closest to tegus are blackthroats. But they are much larger and more powerful then tegus, so I you can't trust them like people trust their tegus.

[Gatorhunter1231]

I have to agree, bearded dragons are often the best option for what people are looking for, but I'm hesitant to suggest it because people always say they'd like something more exotic.

Bearded dragons are awesome with handling, and can reach 2 feet in length. Never kept any argentines though

Argentine tegus are mellow adults normally. Red and blues are good also. Reds and blues are a touch smaller. Still looking at a 8x4 cage min.

Bearded dragons really are for most people. They are also pretty entertaining if they are setup like monitors.

[Tyguy35]

Well for example of what I think is great care my leopard tortoise is being built a 9 foot enclosure at the moment. Currently in a 5 foot enclosure. He is only 4 inches.
I keep dead on temperatures I have a set feeding schedule. Diets are varied.
To be honest tegus are both mine and my girlfriends original choice so they do not need to hibernate I've read that they do anyways even with hot temps.
Thanks for the help though guys. Appreciate it.

[monitorlizard]

I would have recommended a tegu.
They seem to be more accepting of frequent handling.