Toref/Torefet: Varanus Tristis Orientalis/Freckled Tree Monitor

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I don't suppose he'll go into a hide box if you put one in front of him, will he? I've not worked with these, & he seems to like sprinting better -or maybe just he
just likes to watch YOU sprinting, haha! ;) Anyway, just a thought...

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I think he probably would. However, once he freaks - he's hard to read and to get to calm down.

I also got a rock cave hide - with a cave inside and small opening in the front so he feels really safe in addition to the other hides he's been using. That's an aside.

My friend Adam, at the reptile store I got Toref (through his breeder friend), said once he's in a hide, he will stay put, but if he's in the open, he could bolt, especially until he's more comfortable with me. He has a Kimberly Rock Monitor who he doesn't handle much and I've literally seen him catch him in mid air as that guy leaped from his tank. He is much bigger than tore is now and closer to Toref's full size, probably a little bigger.

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Originally Posted by dakski

I think he probably would. However, once he freaks - he's hard to read and to get to calm down.

I also got a rock cave hide - with a cave inside and small opening in the front so he feels really safe in addition to the other hides he's been using. That's an aside.

My friend Adam, at the reptile store I got Toref (through his breeder friend), said once he's in a hide, he will stay put, but if he's in the open, he could bolt, especially until he's more comfortable with me. He has a Kimberly Rock Monitor who he doesn't handle much and I've literally seen him catch him in mid air as that guy leaped from his tank. He is much bigger than tore is now and closer to Toref's full size, probably a little bigger.

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When I kept rattlesnakes, I made my own shift/hides out of lengths of black PVC drain pipe (various diameters, 8"- 4") for different size snakes. Very easy to work with,
& you can buy the lengths you want. I got the ventilated drain covers to match each diameter, & bolted one on one end, & put a handle on one for the other end (so my
fingers couldn't be reached by long fangs thru the vent holes...it's N/A for you anyway). The point is, snakes saw the dark cave as a safe escape & went in happily with
little stress; I still have them & even caught a wayward possum with one, he got in my garage & wouldn't leave, but he went right into the tube when I put it in front of
him. Wondering if a small black tube would work for Toref this way? Pretty cheap to try, anyway & what runs (or slides) in, easily slides back out at your convenience.

I moved Toref. The move was uneventful and he seems to be doing well. We will see how cleaning goes over time.

I will keep everyone in the loop.

Toref has not touched food and I haven't seen him moving around at all.

I imagine he's just adjusting and I didn't feed today after offering his favorites the past few days. I let him be.

I'll keep everyone posted, but think he needs some time.

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Originally Posted by dakski

Toref has not touched food and I haven't seen him moving around at all.

I imagine he's just adjusting and I didn't feed today after offering his favorites the past few days. I let him be.

I'll keep everyone posted, but think he needs some time.

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A lot more sensitive than I'd have expected from a monitor lizard. Poor fellow...

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

A lot more sensitive than I'd have expected from a monitor lizard. Poor fellow...

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Doesn't surprise me. He is quite sensitive and secretive. Remember. He’s still small and a everything is a threat. Still have the other tank in case but I am optimistic.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...66#post2700866

I started the above thread on Toref because he hadn't eaten, or really even been seen, since I moved him to his new "life" tank.

However, he started eating yesterday (day 5) and ate more today and was exploring. I think he's back on track.

Took him long enough!!!!

Thanks goodness for that dave.
So glad you got him back eating again, hopefully he well settle down now and enjoy his new home

Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk

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Originally Posted by richardhind1972

Thanks goodness for that dave.
So glad you got him back eating again, hopefully he well settle down now and enjoy his new home

Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk

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"hopefully he well settle down now"

What are the odds? :).

Still worried about losing the poor guy!

Video of Toref running around and then eating.

https://vimeo.com/343598312

Sorry for the poor video quality. It's from the security cameras I have setup to observe the reptiles and then zoomed. I haven't figured out how to keep good quality yet. I'll work on it.

Will be nice when he fills out the tank some.