nile monitor??

[Juxtaroberto]

Why don't you return it and get a Savannah monitor? They stay smaller and have less violent personalities.

You said you wanted a mean animal. I don't think you realize what you're saying. For example, a lot of people like to keep big, mean dogs as a status symbol. They think it's cool because their dogs basically scare everyone else and look mean and act tough. But, ultimately, a dog is still a domesticated animal, and a mammal (more cuddly than reptiles), and capable of recognizing its owner and perhaps even knowing, on some primitive level, that it is wrong to harm its owner.

Reptiles are completely different. This big, mean, strong reptile will have no problem turning on you as it will turning on a stranger. They can do some serious damage, too. So what'll happen is you might end up in the hospital with bad scratches and even worse bites, and then some congressman will lobby for banning the ownership of all monitors, maybe even all big reptiles, and the thousands of other responsible herp owners in your state will lose that right, because you wanted a big, mean lizard.

 

[Bogwoodbruce]

Some great advice in this thread, if i were the OP id take it, and also wanting it to be agressive thats just irresposible.

 

[Sylvias]

If you are trying to get people on this forum to believe you have any sort of intelligence and experience AT ALL this is NOT the way to do it!
Such a violent outburst on something as harmless as an internet forum is not the sign of a stable individual and it only proves the point that most of us here are saying in that you do not posses the necessary mind set to own an animal like that or many other animals for that matter.
There are people here who are trying to help. Granted, I am not one of them, I believe to the fullest you should NOT be owning animals... but others here are still trying to help you to try and make sure you do it RIGHT. If you are going to be so volatile and completely ignore the advice given here then perhaps you should simply stop posting and find a forum that will just tell you what you want hear instead of trying to educate you and help you to become a better keeper and a better person.

 

[Bottomfeeder]

I smell a troll. Either that or someone that should not keep animals and probably should be in a straight jacked

 

[DaGreenMonster]

i just bought a baby nile ive done a little research, well as much as i could find witch isent a lot but i just wanted to ask people that have experince with i have 2 adult ball pythons so im not new with reptiles i have him in a 55g for now i just built a 10ft by 3ft tank and im just doin the finishing touches to it he/she is about a foot eats like a hog but im just here to try to find out more about the nile monitors. and if u have hate comments leave them at the door bc i know what im doin lol i breed my ball pythons every year so dont make smart ass comments i just want info ... thankyou

Well nile monitors get alot bigger and stronger than ball pythons. also they are almost impossible to tame so get ready to get bit alotttt. i have had 2 nile monitors and a blackthroat. but they are really cool pets and so fun to feed IMO. sounds like he will have a nice enclosure just be careful my man and have funnnn. post some pics for us too.

 

[DaGreenMonster]

also the best way to tame them is buy getting really thick gloves and just letting them bite you until they realize you are not hurting them and that them biting you doesnt do anything. sounds retarded but actually works sometimes

 

[Noa]

Yeah, someone "donated" a Nile to the shop I work at and he's a mean sucker. Still small, only about a foot and a half, but FAST and he will tail whip and snap at me when I reach in the tank. Not something I look ever forward to handling.

 

[IlovemypetMonitor20]

ball pythons really don't give you the experience for a nile... completely different animals..

that being said, keep him warm, with lots of swimming area. feeding should be insects and rodents. he'll grow quickly, so be ready to upgrade soon.
handle him frequently, or you will end up with a 6 or 7 foot lizard with giant teeth that is hyper aggressive. not a good thing.

Thank you so much for the advice it was sooooo helpful(im relieved) I have another question, so Ive been feeding him mealworms and he doesnt seem to like them. I wanted him to eat so I gave him a little chicken i was so shocked bc he ate it right up!!! So do you think I should switch to crickets?? (or another food??