v.Salvator update

[Danimal]

I hadn't seen this little one for about the last 5 months. I built a burrow for it out of 4" plastic curragated drain pipe and a low profile tub and he loved it, apparently. It didn't dig any other burrows at all anywhere else in the tank until I disturbed the tub. Anyway, I caught glimpses here and there but I needed to see it to make sure everything was looking good so I dug it out today and took a few pics.


This is a before pic Sept '12 tiny , the day I got it.
http://www.weebly.com/uploads/8/7/1/5/8715687/7378053.jpg

Also from Sept.'12 Around a foot long
http://www.weebly.com/uploads/8/7/1/5/8715687/8667439.jpg

Today, fatty at 32"
http://www.weebly.com/uploads/8/7/1/5/8715687/8187127.jpg
http://www.weebly.com/uploads/8/7/1/5/8715687/7266898.jpg

There is a small,perfectly round, bright yellow spot right in the middle
of the top of it's head. May have to call it spot.
http://www.weebly.com/uploads/8/7/1/5/8715687/7940537.jpg

[jarich]

Good looking monitor! Love the colours on these guys. Just wish I had the space...

[Pirarucu]

Very nice! Keep the pics coming!

[smy_749]

Very nice, I love the water monitors. They have a gentle look about them. Hows his attitude being that you don't handle him?

[Danimal]

Good looking monitor! Love the colours on these guys. Just wish I had the space...


If I were staying where I am I would probably give it up, I didn't really intend on keeping it, but I have an irrational attachment to water monitors. Shortly after we got it, we decided to move down to the farm to help My folks. I thought about building a smallish shed just for the monitor that looked like a giant dog house but my wife shot me down, saying I am a big enough nerd as it is but there will be plenty of room for animals there.

As far as handling, with the exception of really aggressive animals, a little patience goes a long way. It was so small when I got it and didn't appear to be in the best health so I left it alone. This was only the third time I handled it since I got it. It took about 5 mins to calm after that I didn't even have to hold it that snugly, it would have run given the chance though. I was really very pleased with the progress, plump but not fat, tail looks really good.

[murrindindi]

Hi, he/she looks in nice condition, as far as handling, your best "weapon" is food, as you say patience is they key to success, in my experience they tend to calm down as they grow.