Need some help.

[savannahs]

So I have been doing a ton of research on Savs. The problem is, my parents think I'm going to get a incredibly aggressive monitor. I know they are aggressive as babies, but from what I've read and researched, with the proper training and handling, they calm down. I have read countless posts of owners here and many say they have never been bitten by their Sav, and others say they've been bitten once or twice because they were mistaken for food: but never as a sign of aggression. I'm getting a baby so I can tame it and teach it to trust me. I'm confident that I will make it calm down. I want one simply because I think they're amazing and don't plan on handling it very much once it has gotten use to me and is generally calm and tame (I will hold it every once in a while so it doesn't turn wild again). The problem is that my parents believe it will bite my hand off and eat my dogs and full grown cats. I'm sure it could definately harm my cats and dog, but eating them is not likely (my pets won't see my Sav as it will be in a separate room, but my parents are scared it is going to escape and eat my pets). I haven't heard of a Sav eating a dog or cat (5-20 lb cats and a 20 lb dog?) I suppose it could eat my kitten if it wanted too... If they have eaten dogs, cats, or kittens, please inform me. I need you to help me convince my parents that they aren't aggressive when trained appropriately. If I have been misinformed and they are aggressive no matter what, please let me know and I will research more. Thank you for reading.

[smy_749]

Don't buy a sav if you think your going to tame it down and have it be a calm pet. They are modern day dinosaurs. They don't pur and seek out attention. They seek out food, if you've got it , great, if not they could care less about you.


Don't buy a sav if your looking for a calm animal, because odds are, if hes healthy, you will never tame him down to the levels you desire.

Get a beardy

[savannahs]

I don't think it'll be tame. I think it will be tame enough to the point it's not scared of me and doesn't want to bite me. I know it's more a "display" pet than anything else. I just want to reassure my parents it will not bite my hand off and won't eat my pets.

[smy_749]

I don't think it'll be tame. I think it will be tame enough to the point it's not scared of me and doesn't want to bite me. I know it's more a "display" pet than anything else. I just want to reassure my parents it will not bite my hand off and won't eat my pets.


It doesn't have enough bite force to bite your hand off. But you will probably get bitten eventually, and if it really wanted to chomp down and yank / thrash, you will need to visit the hospital. Usually they just let go when they realize its not food, but a monitor in a feeding frenzy is an easy way to get bit, just ask Wayne hahaha

[Toothless]

They can definately cause some damage, but like stated would not be able to bite your hand off (maybe break a finger when they're full grown and cause some nice lacerations). There tails can also pack a pretty good punch when full grown and will leave a nice welt.
As for eating your cats, they simply will not get big enough to be able to eat a full grown cat. A full grown sav could very well kill a kitten, but by the time the lizard is full grown, the kitten will be as well. My sav got out once, and as soon as my cats saw a giant 3 foot lizard running full speed at them, they quickly ran for higher ground :).
Some Savs will calm down, but others will not. My guy is the kind that bites first, and asks questions later. To prevent injuries, I always make sure I'm wearing oven mitts and a sweater when I enter the enclosure. That way if he does bite (which hasn't happened yet because I'm very careful) I won't get hurt. Even cleaning the enclosure must be carefully thought out since he will lunge for any body part that comes into the cage- not because he's 'aggressive', but because he want's to find out if I'm food.
If your parents are scared the lizard will be dangerous- which they can be- sit them down and explain how much damage they can do, and safety measures that can be put in place to reduce the hazards. If they still do not feel comfortable with having one in their house, then its probably best to wait until you move into your own place before getting one.

[infernalis]

Are your parents ready to accept an 8 foot cage in the house? One that weighs over a ton (with the dirt in it).....

[nepoez]

From what I see you gotta be pretty lucky to get a tame sav that's healthy. I got one that is extremely active and will actually seek me out even when it's full and doesn't take anymore food even if offered. It climbs on my hand when I stick my hand in the cage. It's a strange monitor. Only time it hissed at me is when it came out of the cage and realized it didn't feel comfortable cuzz it's unknown territory.

My other sav which I sold, was totally opposite. It would hiss and whip no matter what. Seems like that's how most of them are though.

[infernalis]

From what I see you gotta be pretty lucky to get a tame sav that's healthy. I got one that is extremely active and will actually seek me out even when it's full and doesn't take anymore food even if offered. It climbs on my hand when I stick my hand in the cage. It's a strange monitor. Only time it hissed at me is when it came out of the cage and realized it didn't feel comfortable cuzz it's unknown territory.

My other sav which I sold, was totally opposite. It would hiss and whip no matter what. Seems like that's how most of them are though.

Not in the slightest. These animals are not aggressive (unless you are prey) they are defensive.

In all reality, reptiles in general are shy creatures that would rather hide and be left alone, Monitors are EXTRA cautious as well, they would rather dart up a tree or vanish underground than confront you.

Now when we reach into the cage and grab onto them, we have now effectively backed a wild animal into a corner, and one simply has to expect that animal to react just the same as it would in the wild when grabbed by something larger.

Just because we chose to hold them captive to satisfy OUR needs does not exempt them from natural behaviours.

ever back a raccoon into a corner? an opossum? how about a badger or a wolf?

[infernalis]

In addition... However, since monitors are extremely intelligent, they do learn to recognize where the food comes from, they will learn to not only tolerate your presence, but will grow to accept you and may even run right up to you looking for a hand out.

This is what it's all about. Nothing can compare to the rush of being greeted by a monitor lizard that begs for a snack. (on it's own free will)

[B_Aller]

My opinion is that minors should never keep monitors.
keeping a wild caught animal is a huge undertaking and is not one any minor living with parents should attempt.
I think we as a community should work hard to discourage minors from purchasing these animals. Get a beardy or a leo or something that doesn't have the long term commitment and expensive housing requirements.
keeping a monitor means you MUST have the ability to use power tools or be able to pay someone who can, most living at home do not have access to the proper tools and space required for even the most basic set up for monitors.
Reptiles are not pets (I know this will irk some, sorry) they are wild animals and should be treated as such.
Ben

[infernalis]

Reptiles are not pets (I know this will irk some, sorry) they are wild animals and should be treated as such.
Ben

Interesting that we are on the same page here.

[Akuma223]

My opinion is that minors should never keep monitors.
keeping a wild caught animal is a huge undertaking and is not one any minor living with parents should attempt.
I think we as a community should work hard to discourage minors from purchasing these animals. Get a beardy or a leo or something that doesn't have the long term commitment and expensive housing requirements.
keeping a monitor means you MUST have the ability to use power tools or be able to pay someone who can, most living at home do not have access to the proper tools and space required for even the most basic set up for monitors.
Reptiles are not pets (I know this will irk some, sorry) they are wild animals and should be treated as such.
Ben

I agree completely. I've had my boy for almost a year and he is a huge commitment and wouldn't recommend anyone else my age get one because of their huge needs. However how difficult it will be in the future I will work my *** off to keep him and keep him well because he is my responsibility. These animals aren't "pets" in the conventional sense.