Hands-on handling, positive and negative experience question

[Akuma223]

Basically what murrindinni was saying, just interact with them everyday, not picking them up but just touching them here and there. Sometimes my Rudi is pissy so I will stroke his back while he swallows food. I think I have had good luck overall with my Rudi though, he has been a very easy animal to work with from the start.

Also, does anyone know where can I find information on social behavior in monitors? As murrindinni was saying about dominance stuff, I have noticed my boy do interesting things when I stroke his back.

[Toothless]

My guy doesn't seem to mind me gently patting his side at times, but I havn't tried to push my limit yet and see how far he'll let me go (mostly because I don't want to get bitten- YUP...I'm a wimp!! ).
I do talk to him everyday as I'm going about my housecleaning (he's in the livingroom)- he will sit at the door and listen quite often during the day.

[murrindindi]

Originally Posted by Akuma223

Also, does anyone know where can I find information on social behavior in monitors? As murrindinni was saying about dominance stuff, I have noticed my boy do interesting things when I stroke his back.

Hi, there are a number of scientific articles on the social behaviour of wild Varanids, also on ritual combat in a couple of species. I`m not sure these are available to view/download online but any decent library should be able to get copies in, then you can either borrow the paper or have photocopies done (it only costs a small amount).
If you`re seriously interested I`ll put a few titles up.