Good for handling???

[StudentoReptile]

Found this via the Reptile Report this morning...

Reptiles Good For Handling (http://www.keepingexoticpets.com/reptiles-good-for-handling/)

Bosc Monitors

Bosc monitors are large lizards so require a proportionately large cage. That said, if you can find the space, the Bosc is normally very docile and also very handsome and most will quickly learn to enjoy interactions with you (as well as a belly rub).


EERNNK...wrong. I'd give them props for mentioning a large cage (although no specs?)...but the implication that these will be nice, dog-tame lizards that are very docile and enjoy belly rubs? Hmmm......

Wayne and any other enlightened monitor keepers care to comment?

[Gatorhunter1231]

You must not go to reptile shows often. There are kids and adults just letting their tame savs hang all over them or they have them sitting on the table like beardies. It's a site to see, heck it's to die for.

I couldn't believe savs made that list. The reptile world continues it's backwards spin.

[stephanbakir]

Just because some toolbags let their reptiles get cold to the point where they don't fight back doesn't mean its having a party. No reptile I can think of likes being on its back with its belly being touched.

[Falconeer999]

The one and only reptile show I've been to, it was so cold in the building that I had to run back to my car and get a sweatshirt. In August, in South Carolina.

Needless to say, all the animals were slow and docile.

[MoreliAddict]

Though stupid at times, the article was a good read. I like how they put it that "some reptiles never get over their fear of humans"...

[StudentoReptile]

You must not go to reptile shows often. There are kids and adults just letting their tame savs hang all over them or they have them sitting on the table like beardies. It's a site to see, heck it's to die for.

I couldn't believe savs made that list. The reptile world continues it's backwards spin.

Oh, I've been to plenty. I'm all too aware of this topic, which is why I brought up the link.

My main issue I suppose, was that I was surprised that The Reptile Report actually posted the link. Perhaps the person responsible simply overlooked that part about Bosc monitors.

[infernalis]

My main issue I suppose, was that I was surprised that The Reptile Report actually posted the link. Perhaps the person responsible simply overlooked that part about Bosc monitors.

There is no less than 3 editors at the reptile report scouring the net, Content appears at a brisk pace, so at times not every word can be proof read prior to the links posting.

Since we are at it, I looked at the link, and saw this....

http://www.keepingexoticpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/boscs_monitor-300x225.jpg

That Bosc will be "mellow and tame" for the whole 2 years it lives, probably get "chunky" and waddle a lot too as it drags it's belly around on the floor.

[Pirarucu]

Sigh... A belly rub? Really?

[jhinton6932]

i dont know savs are more docile then most monitors. i house mine properly, give them high temps, good soil, etc. but i can handle em' when i need to unlike my mangroves and quinces. i'd say its all based around the idea of being fed. they are very food driven. i have been nipped a few times when misting the soil they will pop out of a burrow and get a hold of my finger and it does hurt lol. they are curious of the water bottle. if i have to pick them up its a lot of hissing not so much biting or tail whipping anymore. none the less i dont think most healthy ones tolerate being tugged around a reptile show i've never tried. ill keep my feelings on RR to myself.

sav10 005 - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBrKtJzLLj8&feature=youtu.be)

jBrKtJzLLj8

[jhinton6932]

just to show the stupidity of some people..
Watching T.V. with my Giant Black Throat Monitor=bigboy3293 - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Bno-qsnbUA&feature=related)
nothing about this is normal or even safe to do with an albig
you can see the large fishtank in the backgrounnd with half an inch of cedar. 49,000 views and ~49,000 people dont consider this abusive.

[Pareeeee]

just to show the stupidity of some people..
Watching T.V. with my Giant Black Throat Monitor=bigboy3293 - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Bno-qsnbUA&feature=related)
nothing about this is normal or even safe to do with an albig
you can see the large fishtank in the backgrounnd with half an inch of cedar. 49,000 views and ~49,000 people dont consider this abusive.

I love bigboy! I have watched several of this guy's videos in the past, he keeps his big ole monitors in giant outdoor pens. Don't accuse people of doing things they aren't doing.

[jhinton6932]

yea i saw some of the videos my apologies for the fishtank statement, he does have decent enclosures. either way, it isnt average behavior for any monitor to lay on you while you watch tv. after wtaching most of his vids i have mixed feelings. i guess if its working so far keep doing it?

[Pirarucu]

IMO, the "bigboy" situation is not a good one. A giant blackthroat, a sav, some iggies, and a tortoise, all living together, with water monitors soon to be added? Really? For one, I'm amazed none of them has been killed thus far, and secondly, there is no way that their husbandry requirements are all being met. Iggies come from tropical SA rainforests, savs and blackthroats come from African savannas, (Not even the same ones..) the tortoise comes from semi-arid African scrublands, and water monitors come from Indonesian rainforests. Should all do fine together, right?

[jhinton6932]

Wayne your sav did well for 5 years in sub par conditions correct?
thats the thing with ALL monitors, ill even say reptiles in general. they are survivors by design. hell, you can even get some species to breed in crap conditions. but they die eventually way too soon. the thing is they give you clues as to weather or not tey are thriving. picking up on these clues is what separates average keepers/zoologists from expert. laying around on a human being is not thriving in my opinion. and outdoor enclosures in cali? i saw some brick boxes i liked but they seemed to be free roaming most of the time. my feeling from a zoological standpoint is this: if its not domesticated it should be kept as a wild animal and treated as such. not to mention the diet being used in the videos. but again i apologise for the fishtank statement.

and this relates back to original post. try and rub any healthy monitor on his belly or smack his sides like in that video. im no expert but its common knowledge for any varanid keeper.

[infernalis]

Wayne your sav did well for 5 years in sub par conditions correct?

I think there is a difference between "doing well" and surviving.

Chomper survived 5 years, not quite the same as "doing well"

There is a sharp behaviour contrast between Chomper & the two I have now.

[StudentoReptile]

and this relates back to original post. try and rub any healthy monitor on his belly or smack his sides like in that video. im no expert but its common knowledge for any varanid keeper.

Just like Wayne said, there's a difference between surviving and thriving.

Healthy monitors won't lay on your lap and watch TV for longer than a few moments. I've seen Wayne's videos. I wouldn't dare try to "pet" or handle his savs. If they want interaction, they come to HIM.

[jhinton6932]

i think the upsetting part is 49,000 people see this video and dont realize whats wrong with the picture. im not trying to pick the keeper apart, but showing people a monitor acting like this (and i assume its regular behavior for the albig) is not really all that responsible nor is RR saying savs enjoy belly rubs. any wild animal in captivity should exhibit wild behavior to some degree. belly rubs aren't tolerated by any monitor. get a dog if you wanna rub a belly. when you publish articles read by the public, its important to give accurate, informative information. thats the point of this thread right? but it is the internet so you can pretty much say whatever you want i guess. im done hahaha

[justme]

its all relative. they can be calmer than other varanids....

[StudentoReptile]

but showing people a monitor acting like this (and i assume its regular behavior for the albig) is not really all that responsible nor is RR saying savs enjoy belly rubs.

Just to be clear, the Reptile Report did NOT itself state that savs enjoy belly-rubs. They merely shared/posted a link that did such. But still, the point you are making of responsibility still applies.

It surprised me a little only because TRR is somewhat run by ProExotics, which are avid, experienced monitor breeders. That they let that info slip by is a little irresponsible.

[Pirarucu]

I think they must have not seen the Sav part. It was at the very bottom of the page, and they may have just read the opening paragraph. If they saw that part, I would have expected them to post it in the monitor category, but they didn't. Looking at other posts though, they put something in a category even if there's just one pic in a hundred that fits said category. In my opinion, they just missed it.

[infernalis]

Don't blame the newspaper just because you don't like the story.

[StudentoReptile]

I think they must have not seen the Sav part. It was at the very bottom of the page, and they may have just read the opening paragraph. If they saw that part, I would have expected them to post it in the monitor category, but they didn't. Looking at other posts though, they put something in a category even if there's just one pic in a hundred that fits said category. In my opinion, they just missed it.

Probably the case.

[DragonsEye]

Well for an easy to care for, eminently handlable monitor, there is always my Varanus komodoensis plasticus. :D

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v41/obeah/misc/IMGP0810sm_zps47ca2200.jpg




http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v738/LadyFire/Holidays%20n%20Such/Halloween/Pumpkinsfield01.gif

[Gregg M]

I have to say that we do have a few varanids that are VERY calm and tolerate handling very well. The Ackies in particular are very calm and will let you pick them up without a fuss you can sit there with one in your hand for a long time. They even sit still for pictures. LOL. However, the savannahs on the other hand, are a handful and do not like to be looked at so much as handled. I assume there can be some very calm savs out there that are being cared for properly but I cant imaging there being too many.

[justme]

Well for an easy to care for, eminently handlable monitor, there is always my Varanus komodoensis plasticus. :D

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v41/obeah/misc/IMGP0810sm_zps47ca2200.jpg




http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v738/LadyFire/Holidays%20n%20Such/Halloween/Pumpkinsfield01.gif

when are the eggs hatching :confused:

ill take 2

[Gatorhunter1231]

Ackies are just plain awesome :)

[infernalis]

However, the savannahs on the other hand, are a handful and do not like to be looked at so much as handled. I assume there can be some very calm savs out there that are being cared for properly but I cant imaging there being too many.


Mine need a xanax or something.... off the chain little devils.

http://www.varanid.us/fun/ttdd.gif