Getting my Peacock Monitor to trust hands

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Whiptooth

Gambusia
MFK Member
Jul 27, 2011
131
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16
The Lonely Mountain
I have a juvenile peacock monitor who im in the process of taming. My Peacock Monitor trusts my feeding tongs enough to not run if spotted but if he sees my hands he bolts, which the reason for that would be I assume the few times I had no choice but to handle him to rearrange things in my tank. But now he doesn't trust my hands anymore because he thinks that every time my hands enter the tank im going to pick him up. Is there any trick or tip you might have to solve this issue, I came up with the solution that maybe if I hand feed him and I can successfully get him to eat crickets that I pinch in between my fingers hopefully he will lose his fear of my hands. Is that idea any good?
 
Yep, that's your best bet. Be prepared to get nipped a couple times though.
 
Ya think like if I showed my monitor my hands through the glass of the tank it would help him get used to them. Like if I sit in front of the tank and I put my hand on or near the glass near him and I sit there for a while and let him observe my hands, would that work at all, because Smaug won't consent to eating from my hand.
 
Whiptooth said:
Ya think like if I showed my monitor my hands through the glass of the tank it would help him get used to them. Like if I sit in front of the tank and I put my hand on or near the glass near him and I sit there for a while and let him observe my hands, would that work at all, because Smaug won't consent to eating from my hand.
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If he's curious but wary around your hands, go ahead. If he only runs, don't, as it will only stress him out. I'd not, just to be safe.
ToyotaNation said:
I've heard of people using clothes like a shirt or something and put it in the cage so they can get used to your scent. Not sure how true that is but you could sure try it.
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I'm not sure about "getting used to your scent" but it could be used as a form of enrichment. They may think the smell is a predator, so if they are avoiding it, it should be taken out.
 
Ok, than maybe I should reconsider that form of taming but if you were in my situation and you wanted to tame your Peacock Monitor to the point where it would consent to being handled or not afraid of your hands but it wouldn't accept hand feeding, what would you do? Is Smaug just one of those Monitors that never tame down?
 
How long have you had him? These things take time. I know theyre not the same but it took months for me to be able to get near my columbian tegu without him running or freaking out.
 
This works well. I used this to get my bearded dragon used to me. I would put my hand in the cage, farthest away from the reptile. So he can't run. I would just leave it there and slowly move it closer and let it sit there. Do this everyday until you are able to get close enough to touch and he doesn't run in fear. It takes time but be patient. When this works give him a light stroke. Don't worry of he bolts. It's normal. Do it again. Show him your hands. Slowly get closer. Touch. But only touch when he doesn't run with your hands right next to him. Also spend time with him next to his cage so he gets used to you. It might take another month or so. Patience my friend. Good luck. Let me know if I was clear. Sometimes I just get lost in typing and thought. Good luck.


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Yeah you def cant decide after only a month whether or not a lizard is going to tame down..esp. a monitor. 3 weeks is nothing, Youre pretty much looking at months of work. I agree with JD about spending time just sitting around his cage, its something i did with my tegu and i believe it helped alot. As frustrating as it can be you just have to keep working at it slowly and he should come around though he'll never be beardie tame but i assume you already know that..
 
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