Quote Originally Posted by Dana C View Post
I found one via a Tegu forum that I contribute to. I am trading one of my three Tegu's for the Black Throat which is a 2.5-3' probable female. According to the owner, she is fairly tame. She seems to enjoy being stroked but tail whips when picked up, which is pretty normal for a juvenile lizard, monitor, or tegu. She has never bitten however.
My adult male Tegu, Gordo bit me lightly once. He wasn't being agressive at the time but more curious. It broke the skin a little but that was it. He has never given me a threat display or anything since that one time. My 9 month old female did the same.
The thing I have noticed when picking up monitors is they don't really tail whip, its more of them trying to balance. They aren't usually specifically trying to tail whip you, they just don't feel safely planted when first being picked up. The only time i have been bit was when my hand smelled like croc chow because i didnt wash them and it was more of a test nip. In general they dont really bite unless they have to, because they really dont see you as a food source. Thats where the tail whips come in. If they want to be left alone they will take a whipping stance that you will know when you see it. Good luck with yur new girl and post pics when you get her...

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