Melinus Skiddish

rullom · 06-08-12, 09:36 PM

I know this is a skid dish species I just wanted to get some feedback in case you suspect something. So you or most of you have aided me when I first got this thing....At first very 'approachable' didn't run away etc...didn't each much as well at that time (first week).
Now he eats very well...
At one point about 1 month ago or less he would eat out of tongues (roaches). Now he hides underground all day. I never see him. Its like he just realized the ground had under tank heating so he doesn't need the lamp lol. I only know this because I found his hole. When he is out and I approach the cage he runs like lightening to the ground to hide.
Comments please.....All are welcome.
I know he's still eating a lot because the crux disappear.
Temps and humidity are great.

BarelyBreathing · 06-08-12, 10:55 PM

It's supposed to be skittish. In fact, I'd be worried if it wasn't. Monitors coming from poor husbandry situations often give the appearance of "friendly" or "approachable".

mo9e64 · 06-09-12, 06:54 AM

That is normal,just make sure you put more than you think he needs to eat.As the monitor gets larger you can start using food to bribe him into unforced interaction LOL.
Be patient,that behaviour can be disheartening,but it is natural for them to have that behaviour.People do and can get these types of monitors to be more social,but it can because of each individual personality or how you can manipulate their environment.The challenge is to provide them with all the conditions especially security which allows for interaction.
I was told that heating from below isn't the best way to heat the substrate,have you measured the temp where the monitor can make the closest contact.I'm not saying it's wrong,and can be a solution in larger cages,just be cautious and maybe ask some of the experienced keepers what to look for or be cautious about.

mo9e64 · 06-09-12, 07:16 AM

The plight of these species is they are cheap comparatively speaking and beautiful,and there secretive nature sends them to the classifieds if they don't die first.The amount of actually responsible keepers out there is small and the pool of monitors so large,it's hard sometimes not to be judgemental but life to me isn't disposable-being a nice person and contributing as we all do to the deathes of many monitors a reality.Blah blah blah,i saw

mo9e64 · 06-09-12, 07:20 AM

my big clumsy fingers,no i'm not drinking LOL.I just saw an add for a Melinus for sale,guess from who.Don't take the comments personal,many people do this,you're not alone

BarelyBreathing · 06-09-12, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mo9e64

my big clumsy fingers,no i'm not drinking LOL.I just saw an add for a Melinus for sale,guess from who.Don't take the comments personal,many people do this,you're not alone

Lol. Thanks for the smile.

rullom · 06-09-12, 12:10 PM

To Moe: The bottom is less than 90 at the closest spot so I can't see it being dangerous. It ranges to 80s near the top of the soil.
To all: How do I lure him with food if he's in hiding... can they smell the roach when i dangle it in the cage?

rullom · 06-09-12, 12:14 PM

No moe....the sale is unrelated to this...I wanted to sell him when I got my dog (second one). We adopted a dog shortly after the monitor purchase and my wife said the lizard had to go so I have been caring for him the best I can (which I think is good lol). I am in no rush to be honest...im not going to give it away. I have my roaches breeding so I am set up long term if I have to.

mo9e64 · 06-09-12, 07:03 PM

I was actually shocked when i saw your add,right after that first post.Things happen beyond our control,i am sorry you might have to give up your monitor.

As far as using a hungry monitor and food,hopefully more experienced chime in,my actual forays into human monitor interaction has been minimal LOL.But getting them hungry enough to come out for food is the general idea-i think alot of us find it hard to let our monitors go hungry. Moe

Dehlida · 06-10-12, 12:37 AM

Your wife gets a second dog AFTER the monitor and she makes you get rid of your animal? LOL. What a selfish woman. I moved in with my fiance and get rid of a few monitors to local educational places, but when it came to my nile I told her she's staying with me no if ands or butts. I put up with her having cats, she can put up with my monitor!

As for the skittishness. Indicus complex monitors are supposed to be extremely skittish. It takes a lot of work and effort- but I see no reason to force it from this complex at all. Feed him, take care of him, he doesn't want to interact with you and you should let that go

rullom · 06-10-12, 09:20 AM

well she actually never wanted the monitor and I wasn't really attached since it was so soon. I don't mind getting rid of it. I'll do it again when I get a different house set up. There a few more issues on why I don't argue about it right now but that is not important. Thanks again for the input and advice.