I found an ad for a Sav male on Craigslist. They described him as being "okay' with handling, but he'd rather not be touched some days and just needs to be given patience.
Well that was months ago, I figured out off the bat when they gave me a very thick pair of gloves and didn't touch him (they carried his tank out with him in it) something wasn't right.
He was raised in a 29g tank with a thin layer of sand in the bottom and no hides, and was supposed to be two when I got him. He's covered in scars and a couple look like old burns. He is not handleable. I worked with him as much as I can, using food to get him close to me, I never pushed him or made first contact, but he immediately goes for whatever part of me is within reach. He got my sleeve the other day and held on 5-6 minutes, just chomping and twisting. He is not a happy camper.
I built him a larger enclosure with climbing and hiding areas, basking spots and areas to dog and act like a lizard, he's more active and keeps himself preoccupied, but when I change him water or pick clean in there, he goes Cujo lizard on me, he's going to get me one day. He's about 18" right now.
I know his experiences with people have been bad and I'm not going to do anything with him if he never becomes sociable.. but I was just wondering if anyone had experience with a monitor like him. The only other sav I've had was a dollbaby when I got her.
Well that was months ago, I figured out off the bat when they gave me a very thick pair of gloves and didn't touch him (they carried his tank out with him in it) something wasn't right.
He was raised in a 29g tank with a thin layer of sand in the bottom and no hides, and was supposed to be two when I got him. He's covered in scars and a couple look like old burns. He is not handleable. I worked with him as much as I can, using food to get him close to me, I never pushed him or made first contact, but he immediately goes for whatever part of me is within reach. He got my sleeve the other day and held on 5-6 minutes, just chomping and twisting. He is not a happy camper.
I built him a larger enclosure with climbing and hiding areas, basking spots and areas to dog and act like a lizard, he's more active and keeps himself preoccupied, but when I change him water or pick clean in there, he goes Cujo lizard on me, he's going to get me one day. He's about 18" right now.
I know his experiences with people have been bad and I'm not going to do anything with him if he never becomes sociable.. but I was just wondering if anyone had experience with a monitor like him. The only other sav I've had was a dollbaby when I got her.