Made big progress today

[infernalis]

Cera let me handle her twice, even rested on my arm for a little bit. No bites, no tail whips!!

So as a reward, I let her out to roam. Took measurements too.

Littlefoot is 30 inches long, Cera is 27 inches long.

I got a few pictures... (unfortunately, not while on my arm.)

Cera on the way out.

http://www.savannahmonitor.net/DEC/Ceramp.jpg

You looking at me???

http://www.savannahmonitor.net/DEC/CeraFace.jpg

So after I put Cera back, Littlefoot got a turn....

http://www.savannahmonitor.net/DEC/boys.jpg

This one turned out weird, mouth open, nictitating membrane closed..

http://www.savannahmonitor.net/DEC/LFworm.jpg

And what would a photo shoot be without a tripod shot??

http://www.savannahmonitor.net/DEC/megapod.jpg

http://www.savannahmonitor.net/DEC/pose.jpg

[dinosaurdammit]

CONGRATS MAN! I know this is special for you. My monitor is cool with us and if we HAVE to pick his lard butt up he doesnt fuss. He doesnt mind the pet but he pretty much will just come to you if he wants, we dont fuss at him if he chooses not to interact with us. We like that just fine. He is curious and makes attempts to inquire ats to what we are and if we have food. Every time he touches us we reward him with a tiny cube of liver or heart. He is starting to associate being around us with something rewarding. It is always exciting to see them come around and seek you out.

[infernalis]

Considering that Cera was always trying (sometimes succeeding) to bite my hands, I just went for it, and to my utter surprise, it went without incident.

[dinosaurdammit]

Considering that Cera was always trying (sometimes succeeding) to bite my hands, I just went for it, and to my utter surprise, it went without incident.

Ours is "mouthy" he tends to pick at your hands with his mouth but never bites. He seems to just be trying to get the food with as little fuss. We have never been bitten, hissed at and whipped at before however when we surprise him. When he realizes we are not a threat he just chills out and lays back down and goes mellow.

[infernalis]

Not Cera, Cera will lunge at me, mouth open, puffed up, hissing and tail cocked and loaded...

Plenty of warning what is next if I don't get my hands out of the cage.

This is the same lizard that attacks the camera when I take pictures.

[Gungirl]

Congrats! That is a really good sign that you will be able to keep all your fingers for a while.

[dinosaurdammit]

Not Cera, Cera will lunge at me, mouth open, puffed up, hissing and tail cocked and loaded...

Plenty of warning what is next if I don't get my hands out of the cage.

This is the same lizard that attacks the camera when I take pictures.

hahaha shes feisty. P just chills out when you open his doors but he gets annoyed if you start moving stuff around like rocks and logs. I got a slate tile that is his basking platform and he got all annoyed when I had to clean it. Puffed up and strutted away all tail stiff and everything. He kinda crab walks sideways always watching me

[infernalis]

He kinda crab walks sideways always watching me

yup yup yup... see that every day.

[alessia55]

That's awesome Wayne!! I'm so happy for you. Those two are really thriving under your care and even Cera is starting to like you for it :p. but seriously, I'm always shocked to see how big they have grown in such little time. At what age do they reach their adult size?

[infernalis]

That's awesome Wayne!! I'm so happy for you. Those two are really thriving under your care and even Cera is starting to like you for it :p. but seriously, I'm always shocked to see how big they have grown in such little time. At what age do they reach their adult size?

Full maturity is expected at one year.

[Zoo Nanny]

Congratulations Wayne, it's always so rewarding when an animal begins to show trust.

[Lankyrob]

Congrats! They are sooooooo AWESOME!! cant wait until its my turn :)

[beardeds4life]

Wayne, what do you do when they are not tame when you have to go in their cage to change lights and such?

[BarelyBreathing]

That's exciting.

[infernalis]

Wayne, what do you do when they are not tame when you have to go in their cage to change lights and such?

They never "attack" unless provoked.

They would rather scoot down a hole.

[marvelfreak]

Congrats Wayne very cool.

[beardeds4life]

They never "attack" unless provoked.

They would rather scoot down a hole.

Nice to know. They are huge.

[Pirarucu]

Congrats! Hopefully she continues to warm up to you.

[infernalis]

Congrats! Hopefully she continues to warm up to you.


Have a dish of food almost thawed out, we'll see how she behaves tonight.

[Pirarucu]

Will there be pictures/video?

[infernalis]

Will there be pictures/video?

Had her cradled in my hand about 15 minutes ago.. It's a juggling act.

Trying to do it without spooking her.

[AjaMichelle]

Congratulations Wayne! :) That must have been terrifying and rewarding! :)

[infernalis]

got some new pics, I'll upload in a few minutes. I made sure to get pics of me holding Cera...

[infernalis]

http://www.varanid.us/LF/hand1.jpg

http://www.varanid.us/LF/hand2.jpg

http://www.varanid.us/LF/mud.jpg

http://www.varanid.us/LF/shrimpcrunch.jpg

Can't forget Littlefoot.. He poses so nice.

http://www.varanid.us/LF/littlefoot.jpg

[MrBosc]

Cera let me handle her twice, even rested on my arm for a little bit. No bites, no tail whips!!

So as a reward, I let her out to roam. Took measurements too.

Littlefoot is 30 inches long, Cera is 27 inches long.

I got a few pictures... (unfortunately, not while on my arm.)

Cera on the way out.

http://www.savannahmonitor.net/DEC/Ceramp.jpg

You looking at me???

http://www.savannahmonitor.net/DEC/CeraFace.jpg

So after I put Cera back, Littlefoot got a turn....

http://www.savannahmonitor.net/DEC/boys.jpg

This one turned out weird, mouth open, nictitating membrane closed..

http://www.savannahmonitor.net/DEC/LFworm.jpg

And what would a photo shoot be without a tripod shot??

http://www.savannahmonitor.net/DEC/megapod.jpg

http://www.savannahmonitor.net/DEC/pose.jpg
Ahh Brilliant! how was she when she was roaming around? did she stay near you or go and find a small hiding space like mine does lol. And very nice Tripod shot :)

[infernalis]

Ahh Brilliant! how was she when she was roaming around? did she stay near you or go and find a small hiding space like mine does lol. And very nice Tripod shot :)

Very nervous, paced around quickly and wanted back in the enclosure.

It will take a couple times for her to get used to it.

After being inside that box where it is sticky hot/humid with real soil, coming out into an 80 degree room with carpeting must seem like landing on a different planet.

[Pirarucu]

Whoo! I love the third picture, great shot!