Thanks guys. He has now grown too big to use the bricks as hides like he used to. lol But he is always burrowing out new hides.

He has warmed up a bit. he will now come to the front of the cage with some coaxing, and he allowed a bit of touching without hissing under his chin, or flattening out. But mostly I am just letting him come to me. He is still only about 10" long and I am not quite yet "Food guy" in his mind. But every day shows a little more improvment in our relationship, even if he still hides when i come in the room at first. Sometimes i just sit there withthe cage open, and play on my phone or talk to him and he will relax a bit and walk around his cage sniffing at things here and there.

This is the first monitor I have owned personally, and I am finding the reward of working and interacting with him more substantial than the previously tame monitors i have worked with in the past.