Chapter 1
Taken from "A Savannah in the Family"
Chapter 1
Introduction to Monitors as Pets
With today's fast paced and busy lifestyle, many people find themselves wanting a pet, but find that they are unable to give a more Traditional pet, like a dog or a cat. all the time and attention that it requires and deserves. Many people find that they feel incomplete without some type of animal companionship. Perhaps you have tried another kind of pet like a bird, Hamsters or mice and rats, but found them to be too demanding, noisy, smelly or messy for your busy lifestyle. Maybe you've even tried keeping fish but found that you miss the hands on interaction that most other types of pets provide. If this sounds like you then you may find that a reptile pet is just what you have been looking for.
Reptiles usually do not require, or crave, the amount of attention that most mammals do. They are quiet and not as messy as most other pets. While they do need some amount of regular handling to remain tame, most do not need the daily interaction that other pets require. Also, since they are "Cage Animals" Many apartments will make an exception to the usual "No Pets Rule". However, as with anything in life, you will get out of the relationship with a reptile, exactly what you put into it. The more time you spend with your reptile the more tame and friendly he will become.
Look out, here comes the lecture! OK here goes... Before we go any further in this discussion, you must ask yourself... Do I really want a lizard that can grow to upwards of 5 feel long, eat other animals such as mice and rats, and whose excrement smells like a poorly maintained sewer!!! Not to mention, there will be the occasional episode of Monitor vomit! This smells worse than anyone could ever imagine, much less endure!
Oh, by the way, do I need to mention how your house will smell after one such incident? Don't kid yourself, it will happen! Just as Murphy's Law dictates, and you can bet it will of course be at the worst possible time. Such as when non-reptile people are coming over for a dinner party!
You can be sure, that they will neither be amused, or very understanding!
Monitors are not a pet for the faint hearted or shy pet owner. Expect to be bitten at least once! When people ask me if I'm afraid of being bitten, my usual response is to ask them if their cat or dog has ever bitten them. It stands to reason therefore, that if a domesticated animal will bite it's owner on occasion... How then can we expect that a wild animal, even one that has become accustomed to close human contact, would never bite humans! Don't kid yourself, No matter how "Tame" they become... They are still a wild animal, and will act accordingly!
Anyone who has ever watched these animals on "National Geographic" or "Nature" knows just how viscous they can be! Are you squeamish about feeding live food, although some can be trained to take prekilled food) or, If you are bothered by the fact that most
Monitors will play with their food (far worse than any cat I've ever seen!) you may wish to consider again. Some Monitors will even go so far as to tear their food apart and paint the cage walls with it before eating! This is of course, never a pleasant sight and very difficult to clean. There goes that nice white cage!
If these things seriously bother you, then a Monitor might not be the right pet for you. You might choose to consider a different kind of lizard pet!
Now have I scared off all but the die hard, big lizard lover who is ready for anything that a Savannah Monitor can throw at them? Good.!! Read on.
Whichever kind of reptile pet you choose, whether it is an Anole, Iguana, Savannah Monitor, Salvator Monitor, Corn Snake or Reticulated Python... PLEASE read everything you can find about your perspective pet BEFORE you buy. It is only in this way, that you can be sure you have picked a lifelong companion whose needs will be met. I guarantee, that if you have given this choice the long and careful thought and consideration that it deserves, you will never be sorry about your decision or worry about what to do when he gets too big to comfortably handle for one person. (As is the case of some giant herps.) You will feel confident in your decision because you are sure that you will be able to meet your pets needs for its lifetime.
Too many pet owners will buy an animal on impulse, without really being prepared to meet the animals needs. Only then to find out too late, that they were not totally prepared for the responsibility to care for the animal that they find they now have to deal with. This is potentially a very serious and dangerous situation for both the reptile and the owner! Take the time now, before you buy to research everything you can about your potential new pet. Only in this way can you avoid many of the serious problems that could occur later on to those who are unprepared.
Exercise caution in your decision, mistakes made here could adversely affect the pet owner relationship or worse. It could adversely affect the Monitors health! It is always a shame when this causes unnecessary expense or the loss of a pet. The unprepared owner, is also less likely to have obtained a competent reptile veterinarian, before the purchase of the monitor. In an emergency, the time lost in locating a qualified Veterinarian will only cause you to incur greater veterinary charges due to the unnecessary delay and could cost your Monitor it's life!
If you give your new pet the time and the care he deserves and you appreciate him for what he is, you will never be disappointed! Depending on the species, Monitors can live a very long time, as compared to a cat or a dog. With time and understanding they can and will become very rewarding and affectionate pets.
DID I REALLY SAY AFFECTIONATE WITH REGARDS TO A LIZARD?!!
YOU BET I DID!... You will see just what I mean soon enough for yourself. We will discuss that in a different chapter later on.
Did that statement shock or suprise you? Good! Read on, you may be suprised what you will find out about when we discuss Taming, Training, Behavior and Monitor Personality traits.
Personalities? Yes reptiles have personalities. Some have very strong personalities, While still others will be more shy and demure. It will take time, patience and a little work on your part. As you build a relationship (Bond) with your reptile, his unique and individual personality will become more and more apparent. Just as with any other animal you will find that they also have feelings, wants and needs. They will have their good days and bad days just like you and I do.
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