New Baby Bosc's Monitor

[Belphagor]

Hi Everyone.

I recently Acquired A Baby Bosc's Monitor.
I have done alot of research On the little guy before purchasing it.

But I still have a few questions, in which i hope you guys can help me with, Especially those of you who have/are keeping these Stunning Monitors.

Ok, so this morning I put him in his new cage, the cage is 1.2x50x60.
I have mixed potting soil with playpen sand.
I have a few Rocks and Logs that I have put in, so he has alot of space and Alot of places to hide.
I have got a 150w basking light aswell as one of those ceramic heat lamps.
So all the temps are correct.

I gave him 2 pinkies today aswell as some Tinned cat food.
He ate all of it, So i presume thats a good sign.

He is very active, he roams his cage non stop, he is also trying to climb alot.

But my dilema is, whenever i try get close to him, he goes "BOS" as in he puffs up and hisses and whips his tail like crazy.
I know he is still young but it is quite intimidating.

Sorry if I have left anything out.

Any information would be greatly Appreciated.

Kind Regards.

[Belphagor]

Here Are a few Pictures of him.

[Aaxel]

Great pics, he looks awsome!!
I've never kept moniters before, but my first guess would be to just let him get used you, then gradually get closer and closer to him, to the point where you can pick him up.
Good luck!!!

[Belphagor]

Thanks Aaxel
I have been told to just handle him alot.
But I was wondering if there is another technique to get him tame.

[Aaxel]

I've heard people saying not to get to confident, as at full size they can still give a nasty bite or tail whipping.

[andy777]

Hi, I used a couple of techniques to tame my tegu, I've used them with boschies to.

1) Leave something with your smell in their cage or keep the cage in a room where you spend allot of time ( this takes some time)
2) Lie or sit in the bath and let your bosch walk freely on\around you which will de sensitize him to you and shows him you won't eat him.
3) Put him in a basin with water like you were bathing him, he will struggle to climb the smooth surface but won't be able to. Gently put your hand under him and lift him out of the water, if he struggles put him back in. He will eventually see your hand as a good thing as it is saving him.

I've used all these successfully.

Wishing u luck, there is nothing better than getting them to trust you.

Let us know how it goes.

[Belphagor]

Thank you Andy

I will definently try your methods.

Will keep you guys updated

[fredsmith]

Stunning. They're awesome animals if looked after properly. Your setup looks really cool.

However,
They do well and imo, need, a uv tube in the cage and thrive when given the chance to bask in real sunlight.
Taming him... Time and patience will serve you well as well as a good pair of leather welders gloves.

[andy777]

This is probably the best article I have ever read on Bosc monitors, im not sure whether you have come across it yet.

If you dont want your monitor to turn into an obese lazy monitor that dosent move, please read this.

Unfortunately I see far to many Bosc monitors that are terribly cared for which is not to say the owners are not trying, its just a lack of information.

Enjoy: http://savannahmonitor.org/feeding/

[uncutdiamonds]

I've heard people saying not to get to confident, as at full size they can still give a nasty bite or tail whipping.

I think they get about 5 foot. How long do they take to become "full size"?

[Belphagor]

This is probably the best article I have ever read on Bosc monitors, im not sure whether you have come across it yet.

If you dont want your monitor to turn into an obese lazy monitor that dosent move, please read this.

Unfortunately I see far to many Bosc monitors that are terribly cared for which is not to say the owners are not trying, its just a lack of information.

Enjoy: http://savannahmonitor.org/feeding/

Great Site that Andy.

[Belphagor]

All he has done for the past day or so, is borrow under the Rock and doesn't move.

I had to lift the rock to feed him, but he goes straight under it again.

So I think i am going to leave him for 2 weeks, so he can get settled in his new environment.

Then I will try handle him.

[Belphagor]

Ok so yesterday I put him in the basin with some warm water, to me it looked like he enjoyed it.

I tried the hole saving him thing, and to my surprise he took it quite well, I could pick him for a little while then he would wriggle out my hands again.

But I have been reading up about these guys and most of the sources say when first placing your Monitor in its new environment, you should leave him for a couple of weeks, then only try handle him and let him trust you.

Also, The fist method, have any of you done this with your Bosc's?

[LEAPO GECKO]

Hi I am getting a new bosc and it is 20cm and I just want to know is it okay to keep it in a 6x2x2 cage for now and upgrade as the monitor gets bigger?please if you can help me I would gladly appreciate it

[herpcrazy]

@LEAPO GECKO: When they are still small the cage dont have to be too big, it intimidates them and they sometimes refuse to eat. Give it a bigger cage once it becomes tamer.
@Belphagor: He should get pinks only once a week, they are high in fat and this isn't healthy for a fast growing monitor. Its food should mainly consist of insects, like roaches, silkworms( high in calcium), crickets etc.
In regards to taming, dont force it on him, he will only become more bewilderd. When I was taming my rocky, I just hand fed it everyday, and graduated to gently stroking it everyday. later I started to pick him up. I did everthing on his terms. he is more than a year old now and tame as a puppy.