Monitor Training

[dinosaurdammit]

So after lots and LOTS of work with my lizard I have gotten him to do some natural behaviors on command. Tripoding is my favorite thing he does I wanted to replicate it to show my family what they do in the wild. It took a few feedings but now he is clicker trained to tripod up and receive food. I can also get him to go to a particular place to "sit" before he gets his food. I usually only have him preform once before he is returned to his regular feeding.

It is interesting to see the intelligence in these animals and pretty cool to show these behaviors off. He is well known in the community.
Having to explain to family/friends he isnt "begging" was about the biggest hurtle. I had to explain I am just using his natural behaviors to "show off". I have a video somewhere of him tripoding. I shall try and find that and upload it here.

He is not harassed and if he doesnt want to do it he just simply doesnt and I just go about my day and he goes about his. It is interesting though to see him actually perform behaviors you see in the wild on cue. He also tripods when he has free roam time and he is looking for myself or my husband as he will follow you around expecting food. He seems pretty social though I am unsure if social behavior or just food behavior- cause this guy is a bottomless pit.

Are there any other monitor behaviors like tripoding?

[nick654377]

wheres the videos?

[War Machine]

yeah, after such a short period of time, I need a video too lol.

Many monitors "tripod" for food, Argus are the true kings of it though.

Though, if I remember correctly, they don't do it out of feeding instinct, but for a better line of sight, in the wild, to target food, or predators. I think lol.

[dinosaurdammit]

wheres the videos?

in the process of downloading it to imovie

yeah, after such a short period of time, I need a video too lol.

Many monitors "tripod" for food, Argus are the true kings of it though.

Though, if I remember correctly, they don't do it out of feeding instinct, but for a better line of sight, in the wild, to target food, or predators. I think lol.

He will tripod for food. He is very food driven, and very food aggressive. I fear ever giving him live prey. He seems overly smart. Letting me know when wants a good bath or even when he dislikes a food. I took him on a brief walk for about 15 mins. My friend videoed it for me.

[War Machine]

A monitor shouldn't need a bath dino.

I'm honestly surprised at his attitude, especially being new to you.

[dinosaurdammit]

A monitor shouldn't need a bath dino.

I'm honestly surprised at his attitude, especially being new to you.

he likes to soak to remove skin, he has some bad shedding issues from his previous owner. He soaks and some of the stuck shed comes off. Its really imbedded in there.

[Gungirl]

Can you post up some photo's I would love to see him...

[dinosaurdammit]

Can you post up some photo's I would love to see him...

In the process of it now. :3

[dinosaurdammit]

Here is a bad quality video but it shows the tripod.

9BzyYUF8rmo

[Gungirl]

Do you have a collar on your monitor?

[nick654377]

Do you have a collar on your monitor?

lmfao looks like it!

[dinosaurdammit]

Do you have a collar on your monitor?

its is but before I am jumped I modified it to be a harness to let him have walks outside. Ive also got a pic of it. Its not uncomfortable and he cannot wriggle out of it. He wouldnt let me take it off so I was going to let him chill out before I attempted to take it off. Let me find the picture of it. All other harnesses he could either get out of or were so ungodly uncomfortable he just laid there.

[infernalis]

before we go any further... EVERYONE thought Chomper was "cute" in his harness.. so I really hope were not going to stat heading down a path I'd rather not see with this.....

Vital Exotics just posted a Black Dragon on a leash too.

So let's be careful where this goes.

[War Machine]

I certainly won't hate on it. I plan on walking the albigs on hot days.

Im just concerned at the rate of it. A new monitor should be fearful and afraid. Maybe this one is just accustomed to humans?

Puts a spin on the image I have on argus.

[dinosaurdammit]

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/31001_559735307385511_967883959_n.jpg

[dinosaurdammit]

before we go any further... EVERYONE thought Chomper was "cute" in his harness.. so I really hope were not going to stat heading down a path I'd rather not see with this.....

Vital Exotics just posted a Black Dragon on a leash too.

So let's be careful where this goes.

I got a kitten collar that stretches and then take the leash and wrap it around the back of his front legs then take the leash and run it through the leash clamp. This makes it get tighter, but not too tight, but it makes it impossible to wriggle out of.

also to war


I certainly won't hate on it. I plan on walking the albigs on hot days.

Im just concerned at the rate of it. A new monitor should be fearful and afraid. Maybe this one is just accustomed to humans?

Puts a spin on the image I have on argus.

He was handled a lot by the people who pervasively had him. He does get into "LEAVE ME ALONE MOODS" but for the most part is very docile and very calm. I can tell when he has his days though, hissing and puffing up although never really bit me, but has made a few mocked charges out of no where.

[Pirarucu]

I certainly won't hate on it. I plan on walking the albigs on hot days.

Im just concerned at the rate of it. A new monitor should be fearful and afraid. Maybe this one is just accustomed to humans?

Puts a spin on the image I have on argus.From what I have seen and heard of Argus and Sand monitors, they are usually not very afraid of people like other monitors, but will hardly ever tolerate being picked up. Is that consistent with what you've seen Dino?

As far as monitors on leashes, I see no problem with it as long as you are not dragging the monitor around or restricting it. Keep the leash slack and just use it as a safeguard against a monitor that wants to escape. These things can run much faster than most people think.. Certainly faster than a human.

Look at 0:43 Yellow-spotted or Floodplain Monitor (Varanus panoptes) - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxWMHGIhk6A)

[dinosaurdammit]

From what I have seen and heard of Argus and Sand monitors, they are usually not very afraid of people like other monitors, but will hardly ever tolerate being picked up. Is that consistent with what you've seen Dino?

As far as monitors on leashes, I see no problem with it as long as you are not dragging the monitor around or restricting it. Keep the leash slack and just use it as a safeguard against a monitor that wants to escape. These things can run much faster than most people think.. Certainly faster than a human.

Look at 0:43 Yellow-spotted or Floodplain Monitor (Varanus panoptes) - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxWMHGIhk6A)

He tolerates picking up only for like 10 seconds or less before he wants down asap. He doesnt mind if i just move him but as far as total pick up he is NO fan at all.

[infernalis]

From what I have seen and heard of Argus and Sand monitors, they are usually not very afraid of people like other monitors.

Apparently, not afraid of jeeps either.....

qH0La4zPhTQ

[Terranaut]

Certainly not a Jeep. Sounds like a diesel Hilux to me.
Former Jeep fanatic here lol
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j9/terranaut0/DSCF0009.jpg

[dinosaurdammit]

Certainly not a Jeep. Sounds like a diesel Hilux to me.
Former Jeep fanatic here lol
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j9/terranaut0/DSCF0009.jpg

about the only thing he truly fears is when you hit the lock button on the car, the BEEP BEEP sends him running for cover, not sure why. Every time he takes off I am like "LET ME LOVE YOU!"

[dinosaurdammit]

And tonight he has learned high five! This critter is smart.

[Gungirl]

I will believe it when I see a video of it..

[Pirarucu]

I will believe it when I see a video of it..The salvadorii at Moody Gardens knows the command to back up away from the netting.

[Gungirl]

The salvadorii at Moody Gardens knows the command to back up away from the netting.

I am in no way saying that a monitor can't learn. I just don't believe the time line in which this one is "learning".

Monitors are not dogs... The trust that goes with the training if it is to be done right takes a long time. Seeing as monitors shouldn't be out of their enclosures for days at a time, how is this being done in such a short time frame... Monitors that are kept out of their cages for long periods of time get sick and die. If he has trained it this fast then how much time is it kept out of its enclosure?

[SnakeyJay]

Very good point kat... I was reading this and waiting for somebody to mention the length of time it must spend outside of its optimal conditions.

[lady_bug87]

I am in no way saying that a monitor can't learn. I just don't believe the time line in which this one is "learning".

Monitors are not dogs... The trust that goes with the training if it is to be done right takes a long time. Seeing as monitors shouldn't be out of their enclosures for days at a time, how is this being done in such a short time frame... Monitors that are kept out of their cages for long periods of time get sick and die. If he has trained it this fast then how much time is it kept out of its enclosure?

Just so I can play devil's advocate...

What if his previous owner taught him some stuff and Dino is just carrying on?

[Gungirl]

Just so I can play devil's advocate...

What if his previous owner taught him some stuff and Dino is just carrying on?

That would change it up a little then.. I still say to "train" it you would have to be keeping it out of its enclosure to much.

I would say that the monitor is not trained but just standing for food as any hungry bold monitor would do. Training them to high five is far fetched in my mind.

[Pirarucu]

I am in no way saying that a monitor can't learn. I just don't believe the time line in which this one is "learning".

Monitors are not dogs... The trust that goes with the training if it is to be done right takes a long time. Seeing as monitors shouldn't be out of their enclosures for days at a time, how is this being done in such a short time frame... Monitors that are kept out of their cages for long periods of time get sick and die. If he has trained it this fast then how much time is it kept out of its enclosure?I am not surprised at all by the time. The croc at Moody gardens learned it after only a few tries. That is to say he knows the command. He only grudgingly obeys said command. "Back away from food" is hard to teach a monitor.. LOL
Also I will point out that training could be done while the monitor is still in the cage, could it not?
I think it's being pushed a little too hard that monitors get dehydrated by breathing. Yes, they get dehydrated and it is dangerous, but it is not instantaneous. It happens extremely slowly, it takes a year or more before they succumb. A few hours of the cage is nothing as long as they are in fact returning to a proper cage. Keep in mind in some areas these animals spend long periods out roaming around in the dry air in the wild, they don't hide in burrows 100% of the time. From what I understand, this animal returns to its cage when it wants. Much like the wild counterparts would return to their burrows when they needed to, no?
I think it's fine as long as the animal can choose to go back to its cage whenever it wants.

[Gungirl]

Maybe I don't know enough about monitors to debate this but I just don't see it benefiting the monitor at all. Does it benefit the owner? Yes but not the animal..

[Pirarucu]

Maybe I don't know enough about monitors to debate this but I just don't see it benefiting the monitor at all. Does it benefit the owner? Yes but not the animal..Locking an active and intelligent animal in a box? Excercise and mental stimulation sound like benefits to me.
I should say this is just what occurs to me as logic. More experienced keepers please chime in by all means. Reticulated Pythons come from rainforests, a much more overall humid place than a Sand Monitor comes from, and the same thing happens when you leave them in a dry environment. I let mine go exploring regardless, as do many keepers. None have seen any problems to my knowledge

[Gungirl]

I never suggested to lock them in a box now did I ? I have no problems with people letting them roam for short periods of time outside of the cage. I do have a problem wrapping my head around the idea of prolonged time out of the proper environment. If the cage was set up and maintained properly exercise and mental stimulation can both be achieved inside the cage.

The thing is people take an animal that needs a lot of room and places them in a small space.. give it a bigger proper viv and you will solve many of these issues. I do not keep this type of animal and never will. I would not want to give it less than a 20'x20' building. I know I am a bit extreme on the size and some people will say they never need that much room but I also wouldn't keep a horse unless I could give it several acres to run on where as some people keep them on a 1/4 acre..

[Pirarucu]

I never suggested to lock them in a box now did I ? I have no problems with people letting them roam for short periods of time outside of the cage. I do have a problem wrapping my head around the idea of prolonged time out of the proper environment. If the cage was set up and maintained properly exercise and mental stimulation can both be achieved inside the cage.

The thing is people take an animal that needs a lot of room and places them in a small space.. give it a bigger proper viv and you will solve many of these issues. I do not keep this type of animal and never will. I would not want to give it less than a 20'x20' building. I know I am a bit extreme on the size and some people will say they never need that much room but I also wouldn't keep a horse unless I could give it several acres to run on where as some people keep them on a 1/4 acre..I'm just saying as long as they can choose to return to the cage when they want, and aren't shut out, I don't see a problem. I know they will remember where it is, they are plenty smart enough for that. I know an instance where a friend's croc monitor got out of its cage and very nearly escaped through an open window upstairs before being caught. It was put on a six month lockdown in its cage, and the instant the owner let it out, it made straight for the same upstairs window.
As far as cage size, I'm with you. I like giving animals as much space as they will use. With monitors, that means every inch they're given.

[dinosaurdammit]

I'm just saying as long as they can choose to return to the cage when they want, and aren't shut out, I don't see a problem. I know they will remember where it is, they are plenty smart enough for that. I know an instance where a friend's croc monitor got out of its cage and very nearly escaped through an open window upstairs before being caught. It was put on a six month lockdown in its cage, and the instant the owner let it out, it made straight for the same upstairs window.
As far as cage size, I'm with you. I like giving animals as much space as they will use. With monitors, that means every inch they're given.

when he is done he goes back and opens his door and just goes in and i lock the door- he lets me know when he wants out but his free roam is limited to one hour and the "tricks" are enrichment for him, he seems to get something out of it.

[infernalis]

I never suggested to lock them in a box now did I ? I have no problems with people letting them roam for short periods of time outside of the cage. I do have a problem wrapping my head around the idea of prolonged time out of the proper environment. If the cage was set up and maintained properly exercise and mental stimulation can both be achieved inside the cage.

The thing is people take an animal that needs a lot of room and places them in a small space.. give it a bigger proper viv and you will solve many of these issues. I do not keep this type of animal and never will. I would not want to give it less than a 20'x20' building. I know I am a bit extreme on the size and some people will say they never need that much room but I also wouldn't keep a horse unless I could give it several acres to run on where as some people keep them on a 1/4 acre..

I really like the way you think.

Every passing day I find myself feeling guilty for confining Littlefoot and Cera in that 8x4x4 and if it kills me, they will have much, much more as soon as I sort out some details.

Now as far as letting them out, intervals of an hour or two every few days or so is not really going to shave off any lifespan, It's 24/7 poor husbandry that kills.

[jarich]

I agree that bigger is better when you are talking about monitor cages, though I think the same could be said for any reptile. It was interesting to read Dr Indiviglio's observation about the difference in muscle tone between captive and wild pythons and how that applies to this discussion.

However, I do not think that time spent outside the enclosure is just for the keepers sake. Enrichment is a big issue with monitors, in my opinion. These are super smart reptiles, with perhaps only crocodilians being smarter. Put into any size cage they will get bored. A 20x20 would still make them bored lizards. Giving them time to come out and interact with a novel environment is important; especially if they have the chance, like in DDs case, to go back into their enclosures when they want. Of course its not good to have them out for long periods of time, but that doesnt seem to be the case here.

I have never tried training mine to do anything, so cant speak to the ease of that subject. However, I think its great that you work with yours DD. Im sure the monitor gains a lot from the enrichment.

[varanus_mad]

Monitors know how to be monitors they know where there home is and when there body tells them they need a certain set of conditions,

In this instance that monitor is telling her i need heat, humidity, by going back to his cage.

The thing is they have a range of conditions available to them and make use of extremes, from the very humid to the very dry.

Out of interest have you noticed him closing of his burrows?

A behaviour normally associated with flavis but id be interested to know if that chap does it.

it is a really weird cross to my mind gouldii need more heat and drier conditions than argus's and argus's are from what is essentially a giant tropical rainforest...