friendly advice on V.panopte

[Rushie]

Hi guy's. Im purcasing a V.panopte in the nxt day or two and was just wanting a few tips from people that have owned spotteds before. Don't get me wrong ive researched them allot but just wanting some local advice. Please feel free to message.

Thanks
Rushie

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Anyone??

 

[phatty]

What do you want to know



This is mine she is great loves to swim and dig eat and poo



Not the best handler but is tong feeding well and will walk on my hand to get Woodies watch out for the tail whip

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[Rushie]

Thanks phatty.. just wanted some inside info rather than research papers and uk info on sub species. How old is yours? And are you attempting to tame her? Or try I should say. ..

 

[phatty]

Yes trying she don't bite with is good she coming up to a year I believe

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[Blinky]

Rushie, you don't "tame" monitors, you just hope you can build up enough trust that they don't try and bite you every time you enter their perimeters, they are not bearded dragons. Is this your first monitor? Also if the person you are buying from bred the animal, don't be afraid to hit them up for info, they being the one with experience should be able to answer all your questions.

 

[Flaviruthless]

I have found with mine that it has much more to do with mutual respect than any form of 'ownership'. I have two V. panoptes at the moment, the older one is very tame (he was raised really well by his great former owner) and the younger one that I have is progressing nicely. 'She' (I hope) will hiss but doesn't mind me getting closer to the enclosure (she is outside) and will let me put my hand next to her most of the time. Now that everyone is awake again I will put some more time in to her. She's 18 months old. It's not something that will happen over night but if you put in a heap of effort you will find it really rewarding

 

[Rushie]

Thanks Flav. Good info... how are you planning on taming her? Ive read food offerings are the key rather than handling.. And Blinky I beg to differ mate.. ive owned two spencers in the past and both were dog tame. Unfortunately I purchased these from a breeder who tamed them and sold them to me as 18 month old animals. Ive owned blackhead monitors too.. so I have experience.. ive read mixed results as far as taming of the panopte goes and if its going to be a challenge im up for it..

 

[Flaviruthless]

Hey Rushie (gorgeous dragon in your pic btw), I would not use food to attract it to you because then you will initiate a feed response and there is a chance that the animal could learn to associate you and your hand with food (not a good thing when it's a bit larger!!!). Basically I desensitise them to me by being near them more - there's a lot to be said for having indoor enclosure when they are young as I think this really helps (walking past, doing normal things so that the animal can see you aren't going to eat it, etc). I have two little V. g. flavirufus as well and this is what I have done with them - I would just leave my hand in the enclosure for a while (i.e. 15 minutes at a time) and eventually they would come up and see what I was (then I just had to hope I'd washed any kind of food smell off me!). Doing this for weeks at a time helped to tame them and now I can get them both out with very little hassle (they still hiss and scratch a bit but I think I would too if a giant was getting me out of my enclosure!).

 

[Rushie]

Thanks heaps Flav.. great info.. I look forward to beginning the process. They are an amazing monitor and have awesome personalities. I look forward to keeping you updated on my progress..

 

[Blinky]

I have owned tristis and spenceri also and they are nothing alike to panoptes. GL with everything.