Varanus indicus question - aaaaack

[giantkiller]

Hi there.

Just purchased a young indicus; it is about 18" with half of that being tail. She (or he) was doing well with being held until last night when she refused to calm and gave me a couple good bites..:(

Now, we've only had her a couple of weeks, so it may take a while to settle down. What do you recommend re: the best method of handling her so that she becomes accustomed to it? I've heard every day is best.

I'd like her to be as tame as possible, realizing of course that her species is a little more timid and nervous. If we can't tame her a bit we will have to make her a display animal primarily I guess, because it wouldn't be cool to promote a bite each time we hold her.

I know this is a lot; thankyou....:)

[giantkiller]

Hey all, a varanus indicus is a mangrove monitor.

Sorry bout that.

the-giant-killer

[cheekeebandito]

I've had a Mangrove (see my gallery) for nearly 10 years . He took a couple of years to calm down (I've got a couple of pretty good scars to show !!) . He has also stopped pooping when handled . That went on for a couple of years also. He's great now , but you still have to be careful at feeding time, as he gets fairly aggressive then. They really are an awesome monitor though , and definitely worth the effort. I have never worn gloves with him, and he can definitely be a handful, especially when it's time to trim those razor sharp nails ............ Good luck with her !!

[giantkiller]

Thank you for the encouragement. I am hoping she turns out to be as cool and calm as yours.

Question: we have some sticks and fake branches with leaves in the cage so she can bask and 'hide among the leaves'. The problem is that as you know, she buries herself in the cypress bark. Seems like I am really having to dig her out from under the leaves and *attempt* to gently ease/pull her free each time.

I bet this is quite disturbing. She gets pissed and I think I'm just asking to get bit. Also, it seems to be a good way to let her get out. She's pretty quick, as you know. Currently we have her in a 40 gal. breeder and she cannot reach up high enough from ground level, but from branch level it is easy for her to reach the top.

Would you remove the sticks, etc. and just have the substrate in there? We do have one of those semicircle bark houses for her to hide under.

Any holding techniques? I was taught to hold her front legs down against her body gently with one hand, and the back ones down with the other until she calms. Of course, she has her neck free to *bite*. :/ After about 20 mins of talking, etc. she seems calm enough to let her rest her front 'paws' on top of my hand....at least until the last couple of days when she seems irate...

Thank you for all the help; your indicus looks very healthy and happy.

[crocdoc]

Personally, I'd not handle your monitor at all. All you are doing is teaching it that every time it sees you, you are going to haul it out of its enclosure and handle it, whether it likes it or not. Even pull it out of its nice cosy hide. Rather than becoming tame, it will probably become more shy.

If you leave it alone and let it get used to you doing things in its enclosure (feeding, changing water, spot cleaning), eventually it will get used to you on its own terms, in its own time. It may take a fair while, but the interaction you'll get will be much better. Sometimes monitors don't start calming down until they are near adults.

As far as removing branches and hides etc, again I'd do the opposite. I'd make sure that the monitor can climb up high or hide if need be. Many monitors feel safer higher up. Position the enclosure so that it is at eye level and so the monitor can get above you when it climbs, you'll notice it will feel more secure. I've seen this species in the wild and they are often seen very high up in the branches of trees because they feel safe there.

[cheekeebandito]

Crocdoc gives some very good advice ! Not much to add to that ;) Our mangrove loves to climb up in his cage (it's 6 feet tall) and bask under his spot lamp. He's also got a large water dish that he swims, sleeps , and defecates in on a regular basis . He also digs himself under his substrate at night to sleep. I definitely wouldn't over-handle your juvenile , and let her get to know you through the regular water changes and clean ups. Oh yes, clean ups are frequent , and smelly !! You get used to it though......... As far as handling goes, I hold him by the base of the tail, and the other hand under his chest , between his front legs. Be very wary of those claws !! Can't emphasize that enough ! And those teeth are like razor blades too........ yes that's experience talking ! I don't think you'll ever get her to enjoy being handled, but they will learn to tolerate it ........... good luck with her, and please post some pics if possible ! Cheers !! Les

[giantkiller]

Thank you both for your advice!

the-giant-killer