beanersmysav
07-23-04, 10:56 AM
Hey, It's been awhile since I've posted on this form almost the better part of 1/2 a year so I've since changed my email address and forgot my old s/n so this one will do. I do understand all the monitors have natural aggressions that tend to show occasionally, and have mood swings much like those of humans and most animals for that matter, but Beaner my Sav has been hiss free for almost 6-7 months, only sign of aggression shown was when an unfamiliar guest tried to lift him he opened his mouth and put it gently over his hand and for some reason thats as far as it went no clamping down, or ripping it to shreads nada, I just figured his hand might have had a pleasant stench so he decided to taste it but w/e the reason being he didn't cause any uncomfort to him. Recently I decided to buy him a lizard leash because at this moment his cage is not sufficent enough for him he's 2 1/2 ft and the cage is a mere 40 gallons and will be upgraded in 2 weeks when i move from this tiny place. Anyways he let the leash go on over his head and through his front legs without any fuss in fact he watched me do the whole process tongue flicking my hand occasionally (I know getting this close to his mouth isnt genius but so far knock on wood the one time he attempted to snap at me when i first got him almost 2 years ago I was quick enough to move my hand from danger like Ive been w/ others lizards since) anyways once the leash was on I stroked the back of his head and set him on the floor. At first he surveyed the area from a single position and without warning let out thee' loudest hiss ever emitted from him and took off out of the living room onto the kitchen floor which is alot harder for him to run on than carpet.
Once he hit the kitchen he was slithering as fast as he could since he couldnt get his grip at the speed he wanted to go. I pulled slightly on the leash since he was a bit faster than I was at the time, me not expecting that. So I let him continue his journey as he hissed his way through the kitchen and into a small hall way extension before my bed room. Once in there he let a lil bit of waste out and headed for a basketball sittin on the floor. After nudging it with his nose he lost interest and scurried to the corner to hide behind some news papers. So I sat there next to him since he hadnt moved in a couple of minutes and he didnt mind a bit i even stroked his back, but as soon as i stood and I did so slowly and appropriatly as possible while in his presence as not to scare him because of a 6 ft plus guy over towering him more than usual. But as I stood he sent his tail full board into the door he was near and let out a little hiss. He then walked around a bit more then after chilling for another 10 minutes I decided it was time for him to get back in his cage. I grabbed him with no fear the same as I usually do right behind the front legs and then reached down to grab the back to pick him up the way as i normally do. As I did this he sent his tail right in the direction of my face so I grabbed it luckily but then he went to lunge from my other hand but to no avail i happen to be a bit stronger than he is. From here I held him for about 20 more mins to calm him down. He seemed to calm after about 5 but the other 15 i spent assuring him he's still my lil buddy.
My question through all of this is what went wrong? Was it because it was new area, me being to big to walk next to him, or maybe just letting him go is a bad idea, open to any sugguestions to make the next walk a bit more pleasant for the both of us.
Thanks,
JP
Once he hit the kitchen he was slithering as fast as he could since he couldnt get his grip at the speed he wanted to go. I pulled slightly on the leash since he was a bit faster than I was at the time, me not expecting that. So I let him continue his journey as he hissed his way through the kitchen and into a small hall way extension before my bed room. Once in there he let a lil bit of waste out and headed for a basketball sittin on the floor. After nudging it with his nose he lost interest and scurried to the corner to hide behind some news papers. So I sat there next to him since he hadnt moved in a couple of minutes and he didnt mind a bit i even stroked his back, but as soon as i stood and I did so slowly and appropriatly as possible while in his presence as not to scare him because of a 6 ft plus guy over towering him more than usual. But as I stood he sent his tail full board into the door he was near and let out a little hiss. He then walked around a bit more then after chilling for another 10 minutes I decided it was time for him to get back in his cage. I grabbed him with no fear the same as I usually do right behind the front legs and then reached down to grab the back to pick him up the way as i normally do. As I did this he sent his tail right in the direction of my face so I grabbed it luckily but then he went to lunge from my other hand but to no avail i happen to be a bit stronger than he is. From here I held him for about 20 more mins to calm him down. He seemed to calm after about 5 but the other 15 i spent assuring him he's still my lil buddy.
My question through all of this is what went wrong? Was it because it was new area, me being to big to walk next to him, or maybe just letting him go is a bad idea, open to any sugguestions to make the next walk a bit more pleasant for the both of us.
Thanks,
JP