Frightened Black Throat

[Dana C]

I bought a dog exercise pen, set it up in front and took Kinabo out thinking he would like it. Instead he went nuts! He hissed, tail whipped, gaped, you name it, he did it. He ran at the barrier, whipped at it until the nib of his tail was a little bloody. I was next to him all the time and every time I put my hand close to the pen, he hissed, gaped and whipped. Deciding that he hated it, I boldly picked him up which he was fine with. I took him back to his enclosure and he completely transformed. He was docile, even servile. He came to my hand and I stroked the top of his head and under his chin for quite a while as he had his eyes closed. It was like a lizard needing comfort and security from me, which is an amazing thing to experience.

I really think that living his first year in an enclosure, he became intensely afraid of the outdoors and being any environment that didn't have walls, hence his defensive / aggressive posturing. I am sure it wasn't me as he wanted my contact and comfort after he was back inside. In other words his was a fear of open spaces that I hadn't anticipated.

So much for the great outdoors. He may change as he gets older and grows more, becomes more brave etc. For now however he is an indoor guy.
I feel terrible that he got so stressed out but am grateful he didn't seem to hold it against me. Like I said, as soon as I had him safe in my arms he calmed down. I talked to him and I sensed that he truly saw me as a souce of comfort, security and safety hence his 180 and wanting to be next to me when I put him back.

I know some of you won't agree, but I feel blessed that I can have that kind of a trusting relationship with a very large lizard.

[MMReptiles]

He doesn't need to come outside, he doesn't need a dog pen, he's a monitor. Leave him alone in his cage, he's happier and healthier there.

[Alex.B]

he's a monitor, not a dog.

[satomi325]

Maybe the transition was too much of a shock for him. Maybe a gradual introduction little by little will be better. Like start carrying him outdoors for a little bit each day, then eventually sitting on the ground with him in your arms, then eventually letting him down. Little steps.

[Cameron Lamb Exotics]

WOW so much negativity. There is nothing wrong with taking a monitor outside hmm I wonder where they lived before we captivated them?

Ive had iguanas act simialer to that but then realized they were getting scared of a hawk that was flying above. Dont worry to much about it.

[Alex.B]

WOW so much negativity. There is nothing wrong with taking a monitor outside hmm I wonder where they lived before we captivated them?

not north America

[Cameron Lamb Exotics]

not north America

So because its a different continent they cant go outside?

[Cameron Lamb Exotics]

Theres nothing wrong with taking a reptile outside to enjoy some sun. As long as they are not in danger or going to get loose.

[Dana C]

Theres nothing wrong with taking a reptile outside to enjoy some sun. As long as they are not in danger or going to get loose.

The whole thing about negativity is what I expected. Those of you that think that a monitor in a cage is being a monitor are not in touch with reality. My monitor, your monitor, all monitors in captivity are in a box, (quote from FR).
Being in a box is not like being in Tanzania in the wild or even on a farm. Also, Kinabo is a Black Throat, not a species known for being overly aggressive and more docile than most. (Note I did not use the word tame.)
I thought that my V. Ionidesi would benefit by natural sunlight. Instead, he reacted like I posted.
My monitor which is apparently not like some of yours, (he is a Black Throat which I am sure you remember), will crawl up onto my chest and with stroking will sleep. While he is still a wild animal, he is bonded to me and see's me as source of saftey, security and comfort.

Those of you that think that I should "just let him be a montior", likely don't know the behavior characteristics of all monitors species. They differ greatly between species. I don't force my boy to seek me out and climb on me. I don't force him to come to my hand while in his cage. Those are his choices
and the result of a ton of interaction. In fact I feel honored that he trusts me so much and feel sad that you haven't experience the same almost magical feeling when that kind of closeness occurs.
I am 63, retired and while my reptile experienced goes back many years, I am fairly new at monitors. My experience however with monitor posters is that they are closed minded, "my way or the highway", intolerant of alternative approaches that WORK.

Thanks to all of you that provided informative feed back. To those that didn't, well you lived down to my expectations.

[MMReptiles]

FR is one of perhaps the WORST sources for monitor husbandry you can possibly listen to. He's been the cause of death for MANY female monitors because he's arrogant and thinks he knows anything about monitor husbandry.

Frankly, he's one of the biggest mongoloids on the internet to be honest. If you choose his advice over many of the better keepers (crocdoc, Robyn, Krusty) than I can honestly only hope your monitor escapes your care rather than endure some of the nonsense that FR spouts around.

That being said, nothing wrong with monitors going outside, if your climate is somewhat related to their natural habitat. Some southern parts of Florida, outside is acceptable. HOWEVER. Most places in North America ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR MONITORS TO BE OUTDOORS. Ever notice, we don't have wild monitors here, it's for a reason. The habitats are not suitable for monitors.

Your job as the keeper is to mimic it's natural habitat, that means all conditions, which can be done 100% in the enclosure without it ever seeing the outside world. On top of that, you force the solitary reptile to interact with the social mammal. It doesn't need or want to interact with you. Leave it alone in it's proper environment, it'll be healthy there.

A cat may swim in the wild, but you don't seem me chucking mine into the bathtub yelling SWIM FLUFFY YOUD DO IT IN THE WILD!.