I need a new Monitor

[Whiptooth]

I am fully aware that larger monitors aren't good for begginers but I seriously am not happy with the peacock monitor I have now. So far I have had him for 3 months. The reasons why I don't like my current monitor is on the inside I really just wanted to have a monitor that got tame like a bearded dragon although I understand that would be a miracle if I got an individual like that of any varanid species. My Peacock monitor has escaped twice and picks great hiding spots in his tank to the point where I think he has escaped, I tear up my room trying to find him, and he was playing houdini the whole time in his tank. I also have to walk very slowly when I pass my tank as to not startle him, which sucks because my tank is in my room so there is quite the speed limit around his tank. I do believe i'm devoted enough to take care of something large, just as long as the promise of a tame monitor is possible through patient taming. I take of my current monitor as best as one could conceivably take care of one so he's healthy and happy, so it's not that it's difficult to take care of him, I can do that quite fine. Like the challenge isn't taking care of him it's having the discipline to not interact with him while knowing that the tamest Peacocks and Timors get aren't really what I wanted. I just wanna be able to have a tame monitor that isn't such an amazing escape artist, tameness being the most important quality. Are there any monitors that stay under 4ft that are tame?

 

[Edwardo]

Why would you hold it against your monitor lizard, or want to get rid of him because he is an amazing escape artist ?

 

[Whiptooth]

My lizard is 8in long, lightning quick, and can hide anywhere. He's already escaped twice and if he not only escapes his tank but also escapes my room and my dad sees a lizard scuttle across the floor i'll never have another lizard till I move out. Something tamer and bigger would be nice because than it won't try or want to escape

 

[Sylvias]

Sounds like you probably don't need another monitor... if you're not happy with the monitor you have because it's not a bearded dragon then maybe you should just get a bearded dragon. If he's escaped twice then you are messing up somewhere and that needs to be corrected before getting anything else at all. There's not really anything else out there that fits the criteria you are wanting... possibly a savannah but they take some work to tame down as well and require much more space.
Really, if you want something as tame as a beardie just get a beardie...

 

[Whiptooth]

Well I would get a Bearded Dragon it's just that I don't like them. Like if I got one I wouldn't be happy with it either because my fascination is with Monitors. Oh and I fixed the tank already so he can't get out. He hasn't escaped in maybe a month. Oh while your still here may I ask, do monitors not like shiny things, because I showed my Peacock Monitor a Blue gem I had and he hates it. Maybe I will get a Savannah, i'm willing to spend the money and time on them.

 

[Whiptooth]

Do you think a Green Tree Monitor would get tamer?

 

[golcondorus]

You have a baby monitor, which will always be much more afraid than a larger one. If you really want a tame monitor you can do it with the one you have now, it's just going to take a very long time and work to get it that way. I would say don't hold it much until its much larger. I had a 5 foot ornate Nile monitor that I rescued and it took me the better part of a year to get her to be tame. I know it's annoying but it's gonna take time. And I do agree if your monitor is getting out you do need to look at your housing to make sure everything is where it should be


Sent from my iPad using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

 

[golcondorus]

Oh, and green tree monitors are not only very nasty but pretty advanced too, even for monitors. If tame is the main trait you are looking for you need to just go with a savannah, or black throat. most of the tame monitors get pretty big.


Sent from my iPad using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

 

[Whiptooth]

Oh well see I've accidently picked my monitor up on several different occasions because either he got out or I didn't know any better but now i'm pretty sure he's convinced my hand is a predator and I have tried to not get my hands anywhere near him to correct this for a while. Is it likely that it's too late to convince him my hand is not a predator? Also my Peacock Monitor spends all day resting on a log out in the open but he won't tong feed when he's out in the open so I can't feed him, he'll only take food if he's under a specific artificial cave

Here's the cave

Here is his log

 

[A. gigas]

just as long as the promise of a tame monitor is possible through patient taming.

Then you are not looking for a monitor, because those don't exist. Perhaps a Tegu would be a better option if you want a larger "tame" lizard.