Monitor understanding

[dinosaurdammit]

So I like to watch documentaries. Idk why but that is my crack. Pajaaamas my monitor seems actually interested in the tv, I often wonder if he can comprehend that the images are other monitors. He seems self aware and when he passes a mirror he does not get aggravated. He seems to check himself out, he seems to recognize that the monitor in front of him is actually him. Can monitors self recognize?

When a movie http://uts.cc.utexas.edu/~varanus/LizardKings.jpg was on the tv pajaaamas seemed to react to the monitors on tv. Many were sand goanas which he is half, there was also an arugs and other monitors like the lace monitors. He would tripod and seemed actually interested in the show, so much so he tried to climb onto the tv stand and just watched as if he was watching through a window.

So my question: can monitors self recognize? Can they understand they are watching other monitors. Can monitors be smarter than we give them credit for? I really believe monitors are smarter than dogs. He knows the mechanics of doors, he knows the lay out of the house. He actually knows how to ask me to run the bath water. How smart are these guys?

[lady_bug87]

I saw that documentary.. monitors are scary smart. If I had the dedication I would get one because they are so fascinating

[infernalis]

So I like to watch documentaries. Idk why but that is my crack. Pajaaamas my monitor seems actually interested in the tv, I often wonder if he can comprehend that the images are other monitors. He seems self aware and when he passes a mirror he does not get aggravated. He seems to check himself out, he seems to recognize that the monitor in front of him is actually him. Can monitors self recognize?

When a movie http://uts.cc.utexas.edu/~varanus/LizardKings.jpg was on the tv pajaaamas seemed to react to the monitors on tv. Many were sand goanas which he is half, there was also an arugs and other monitors like the lace monitors. He would tripod and seemed actually interested in the show, so much so he tried to climb onto the tv stand and just watched as if he was watching through a window.

So my question: can monitors self recognize? Can they understand they are watching other monitors. Can monitors be smarter than we give them credit for? I really believe monitors are smarter than dogs. He knows the mechanics of doors, he knows the lay out of the house. He actually knows how to ask me to run the bath water. How smart are these guys?


Yes, yes, yes.. You have lizard kings, I have communicated with Dr. Burghardt (University of Tennessee) and he sent me this research paper...

http://www.savannahmonitor.net/husbandry/intelligence.pdf

[dinosaurdammit]

Yes, yes, yes.. You have lizard kings, I have communicated with Dr. Burghardt (University of Tennessee) and he sent me this research paper...

http://www.savannahmonitor.net/husbandry/intelligence.pdf

Oh goodness thank you for this! I will be giving this a good read. I often wonder if the reason he digs SO MUCH is because he is half sand monitor. In the documentary he can dig a hole in no time, so can pajaaamas, its insane.

[infernalis]

Oh goodness thank you for this! I will be giving this a good read. I often wonder if the reason he digs SO MUCH is because he is half sand monitor. In the documentary he can dig a hole in no time, so can pajaaamas, its insane.

It's not insane, Some people tend to think Evolution left the Monitors behind, My opinion is, Evolution got it right millions of years ago, why change perfection?

[dinosaurdammit]

It's not insane, Some people tend to think Evolution left the Monitors behind, My opinion is, Evolution got it right millions of years ago, why change perfection?

Do you know how I could contact the man in lizard kings? I have SO many questions. I wonder if he would be interested in pajaaamas. I know he likes the lace monitors more, based on what I watched in the movie. Id love to have a lacey but I know they require more room that I cannot provide. When my husband and I finally settle down and I get a place I can build more room I may then get into the perenti, oh i love those guys.

[infernalis]

Do you know how I could contact the man in lizard kings? I have SO many questions. I wonder if he would be interested in pajaaamas. I know he likes the lace monitors more, based on what I watched in the movie. Id love to have a lacey but I know they require more room that I cannot provide. When my husband and I finally settle down and I get a place I can build more room I may then get into the perenti, oh i love those guys.

One of the men involved is a member here...

http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/varanid/97620-few-wild-water-monitors-varanus-salvator.html


http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/varanid/90155-few-photographs-my-critters-part-1-a.html


http://www.pbase.com/crocdoc/image/140356100.jpg

[dinosaurdammit]

One of the men involved is a member here...

http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/varanid/97620-few-wild-water-monitors-varanus-salvator.html


http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/varanid/90155-few-photographs-my-critters-part-1-a.html


http://www.pbase.com/crocdoc/image/140356100.jpg

/is swooned/

[BarelyBreathing]

Some of my monitors seem to enjoy looking in the mirror.

[infernalis]

Some of my monitors seem to enjoy looking in the mirror.

Chomper did.....

http://www.chompersite.com/outside/images/chompie.jpg

[BarelyBreathing]

I love that picture.

[AjaMichelle]

Me too!!! ^^^

[Vegasarah]

That picture is so cute omg. Sometimes with animals you can just SEE the intelligence in their eyes, and I sure can see it in my Nile. He was trying to escape his tank earlier today, jumping up the side a few times towards the top. He has figured out that the top of the tank is the only way out. He then stopped, looked around, saw that one of the boxes in his tank was taller, scrambled up on top of that and then continued his jumping. He figured out tongs = food within about 1 minute, he also figured out that if he hides in his cardboard tube, he can still be fed without having to come out of hiding as long as he pokes his head out the end lol. I know that the more studies that are done with monitors the more scientists realize how smart they are! ;)

[infernalis]

Just for you Sarah......

pBRnMeium9Y

[Corey209]

Just for you Sarah......

pBRnMeium9Y

Never knew Komodo's were monitors.

Makes me want a monitor.. but I can't supply the husbandry it would need so that's not going to happen.

[Vegasarah]

That was a great video, thanks Wayne! :D

I just love reptiles, and monitors are just awesome. They really are lizard kings. I wonder what kind of things they could be 'trained' to do besides target training?

Last night I was thinking about just that, and started to think about commercial dog and cat toys. For dogs, one of the popular mental stimulation toys is the "Kong". Very tough rubber that you fill with some kind of treat and leave for the dog to work at in order for it to get it's prize. Cats also have something similar where they must roll around a plastic ball with holes in it in order for the treats to fall out. I wonder if a monitor would benefit from this kind of toy? Or maybe something as simple as a brown paper bag with treats inside that it must shred in order to get to the prize? Has anyone ever tried these types of things with their monitors?

[infernalis]

I do this to stimulate mine.

aVUuK1ZIbio

[Vegasarah]

Cool, I bet they like that. Maybe when my Nile gets a little bigger and less aggressive I will try stuff like that. I would love to see him work at some kind of puzzle, I'm sure he could figure it out pretty easily.

[Robyn@SYR]

Great vids!

[infernalis]

Cool, I bet they like that. Maybe when my Nile gets a little bigger and less aggressive I will try stuff like that. I would love to see him work at some kind of puzzle, I'm sure he could figure it out pretty easily.

Your enthusiasm is refreshing, but lets walk before we run.

Top of the list is getting him in the proper house.