Toref/Torefet: Varanus Tristis Orientalis/Freckled Tree Monitor

[dakski]

I think Toref is really settled in now. He's shedding again, but still pounding food. Haven't been working on handling too much as he's about 40G now and has a long way to go. However, he looks bigger every week and seems a little better (maybe) every time I take him out to clean his tank.

[dakski]

Here are some pictures of my growing, and still not really handleable guy.

I pretty much let him run around the tank like a crazy animal and tire out a bit and then pick him up (still with fanfare). He urinated and urated on me again today. I spent a minute with him when I put him back and he calmed down some. I'll keep working with him and let grow some more before we try real handling.

He's pounding canned crickets (his favorite) and canned silkworms, super worms, cockroaches, etc. He also loves chopped up mice (his other favorite) but only gets that every 7-10 days. He's growing for sure, but I didn't weigh him today. He's also still shedding as you can see in the pictures.

I got a great shot of him with his tongue partially out. He's lucky he's so cool and cute, otherwise I wouldn't put up with his crap (or should I say urate?) .

[Bogertophis]

I agree...he's cute enough to get away with most anything, lol.

[richardhind1972]

He really is cute dave

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[dakski]

Not the best day with Toref! He peed on me when I took him out of his tank to clean AND when I put him back. I am annoyed. I had held him for a bit before putting him back and thought I was in the clear. He must have just peed on me as I put him back. I do not mind the pee so much but I do not want to reward the behavior with putting him back. Oh well. I'll work on it next week when I clean again.

In the meantime, I got a video of him in his holding container.



Also, he's been devouring all the food I am giving him and I am upping the amount I feed him in each sitting. He's definitely growing, but I want to maintain growth at this point and not let is slow.

[Bogertophis]

[QUOTE=dakski;2710646]...I do not want to reward the behavior with putting him back. Oh well. I'll work on it next week when I clean again...[QUOTE]

I don't think it works that way for wild creatures like snakes & lizards...they don't relate to "rewards", they "go" when we scare it out of them or they just have to.
I don't believe they are capable of understanding how to manipulate us, that really takes the more social creatures like dogs or monkeys & some kinds of birds, etc.

[dakski]

[QUOTE=Bogertophis;2710653][QUOTE=dakski;2710646]...I do not want to reward the behavior with putting him back. Oh well. I'll work on it next week when I clean again...

I don't think it works that way for wild creatures like snakes & lizards...they don't relate to "rewards", they "go" when we scare it out of them or they just have to.
I don't believe they are capable of understanding how to manipulate us, that really takes the more social creatures like dogs or monkeys & some kinds of birds, etc.

Thats a good point. Just hope over time he calms down a little?

[Bogertophis]

[QUOTE=dakski;2710654][QUOTE=Bogertophis;2710653]

...I do not want to reward the behavior with putting him back. Oh well. I'll work on it next week when I clean again...

Thats a good point. Just hope over time he calms down a little?

I hope so too...for your sake -as the "recipient" LOL.

I've seen a few other posts here though where others have said similar things about not wanting to "reward" the snake that just bit them by putting them down (ie. giving up on handling), & I just really don't think that's how it is with snakes & lizards. When they don't feel safe with us, forcefully holding them longer won't win you any points, but rethinking one's approach & maybe taking more time will eventually pay off. Not always, but usually. I just don't think they understand the "reward" concept? Of course if you hold Toref long enough, he's bound to run out & be "empty"?

[dakski]

Toref is growing like a weed now. He and I had a little talk today and I learned two things. 1. When in doubt, he will still pee on me. 2. He's getting big nails - scratchy scratchy!

He did pee on me, but he was a little calmer, if barely. Also, I spoke to my buddy Don Soderberg at South Mountain Reptiles, and I've read it here before, but he preached it, and I put my an undershirt I sweated like crazy in into his tank today after I cleaned it. He pointed out that Monitors are big on smell and if he gets used to my smell/scent in his tank, where he feels safe, that could go a long way. I am trying it, finally.

The video below is all of 13 seconds long. Shows his curiosity and his size now.

[Bogertophis]

...He did pee on me, but he was a little calmer, if barely...

In other words, he pee'd on you, but he didn't enjoy it? (sorry, my bad...)

Sounds like a good idea to get him used to your scent by installing a scented shirt in his home turf...I really hope it works, it's no fun being "the statue in the park".