Toref/Torefet: Varanus Tristis Orientalis/Freckled Tree Monitor

[dakski]

Toref and I had an eventful day, and not in a good way (although everything turned out okay in the end).

I went to clean his tank and he freaked more than usual, but not too uncommon. I got him in my hand, and he was resting on my hand in the tank. Next thing I know - BAM - ZAM - WOW - he's up my arm and on my neck. Quick little sucker. I reach up to grab him and he's in the air flying towards the big tanks in the reptile area. Then he ran under the garbage pail. I grabbed the net, lifted the garbage, but he was off to the other tanks and ran behind them!

At this point, I am totally freaking and screaming for Katie to come downstairs.

Luckily I kept him in sight and guided him back towards his tank and the back wall and away from the big basement room. However, I couldn't get the net back behind the tanks.

Katie comes down and he walks out towards the light and his tank like nothing happened and I grab him with the net and then with my hand.

Whole thing took 3 minutes, but scared me to death.

I couldn't deal with losing him. He is my responsibility.

I put him back and gave him some mouse parts with calcium and vitamins. He gobbled that down. Before that he was looking at me from inside the tank, like, "ha ha, I got you!"

Lesson learned. I cannot let me guard down with him, not at all.

Of note, he appears to no worse for the ware and now weights 23G.

Also, Katie was really scared too. However, she was very supportive and hopes, as I do, he calms down a bit as he grows and is handled more.

[Bogertophis]

That really was a "gotcha"! (Lizard 1: Dave 0) As you said though, it ended well. I think he just wanted you to see how fast he is? "Look dad-"

[dakski]

That really was a "gotcha"! (Lizard 1: Dave 0) As you said though, it ended well. I think he just wanted you to see how fast he is? "Look dad-"

You said it. Now I know to be careful with him, especially at this size.

I was very concerned, but luckily, for all of 3 minutes.

Thank you for the comments!

P.S. Not only is he fast, he's very fast while climbing. He made it up my arm, around my neck, down my arm, and leapt in about 3 seconds.

And yes - apparently he leaps!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bogertophis]

You said it. Now I know to be careful with him, especially at this size.

I was very concerned, but luckily, for all of 3 minutes.

Thank you for the comments!

P.S. Not only is he fast, he's very fast while climbing. He made it up my arm, around my neck, down my arm, and leapt in about 3 seconds.

And yes - apparently he leaps!!!!!!!!!!!

One could even say he's "growing by leaps & bounds"... (ducks & runs for cover) but yeah, lizards can really deploy shock value. You got owned...

But maybe from his viewpoint, he wanted to make sure you didn't eat him? After all, you've been fattening him up pretty well, lol.

[richardhind1972]

Think toref is keeping you on your toes a bit longer
Hopefully he will start to relax soon dave. still stunning tho

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[dakski]

Think toref is keeping you on your toes a bit longer
Hopefully he will start to relax soon dave. still stunning tho

Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk

Yeah, agreed. I let my guard down. He was chilling in my hand. Then - ZAP! Gone. Until he's full grown I need to be a lot more careful. Having said that, he's very quick and gaining confidence in his abilities faster than he's gaining confidence in me.

[fadingdaylight]

Who knew tree monitors were highly skilled ninjas in disguise? I certainly didn't, you can't be blamed for not knowing either.

[dakski]

Well, Toref has yet to get away again, however, he did poop on me yesterday. Oh well, beats chasing him around the room.

Also of note, he's still pounding canned insects, but loves live wax worms. Happy to give him those as an occasional treat.

[dakski]

A few updates on Toref.

1. He almost got away again. However, I was pretty quick and got him back in his tank without him getting off my arm. He's a quick little bugger though. I have good reflexes, but little Spider-Lizard has better ones.

2. His boaphile 4X2X1.5' came today and the question is, do I move Toref or not move Toref now?

He's about 25G and I'd guess 16-18 inches long with his tail. He's starting to bulk up, but has a ways to go.

My concern in the little tank is there is no way to clean the tank without taking him out.

My concern in the big tank is he might get out. However, that tank has two 1.5' doors and I can open one or the other. It's what Jeff Ronne calls a coupe cage. Of course, the doors open out, so I am vulnerable and can't just open a little.

My theory with the big tank is I can get him in a hide on one side, clean the other side, etc. I don't have to remove him.

I've been reading a lot on Monitors and getting different views. However, the consensus seems to be let him get a little bigger and braver and more trusting and then try to handle more. Does that make sense to monitor people out there?

Any thoughts on the tank are welcome! I am actually quite anxious about this. Toref really is a challenge.

[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...