Monitor Lizards: Natural History Overview & Experiences with Intelligent Escapees Hi All,

[findiviglio]

Herpetologists and hobbyists alike have long known that there is something “different” about the family of lizards known collectively as “monitors” (or, in Australia, “goannas”). One cannot observe a monitor for long without getting a sense of the animal’s intelligence – they scrutinize the world differently than do other reptiles, and their reactions to new situations are surprisingly quick and complex. Recent studies have confirmed that monitors are unique, and, in many ways, the most intelligent and advanced of the lizards. In years past pet keepers were limited to a very small number of monitor species from which to choose. An explosion of interest in the group has radically changed that situation, and today animals rarely seen even in zoos are being commercially bred in huge numbers. Happily, there are monitors even for those without much room – and the very smallest types still exhibit true monitor behavior, intelligence and “attitude”. Today I’ll present an overview of the group. Read article here: The Monitor Lizards (Family Varanidae)
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Thanks, Frank
My Bio, with photos of animals I’ve been lucky enough to work with That Pet Place welcomes Zoologist/Herpetologist Frank Indiviglio to That Reptile Blog | That Reptile Blog
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[Deac77]

So true I absolutely love my monitors

[findiviglio]

So true I absolutely love my monitors

Thanks...I see you have a tegu - this hemisphere's equivalent, in some ways. I had the chance to observe them in the wild, (Venezuela), very interesting. What does the cross look like?

Best, Frank

[Deac77]

He's amazing haha and honestly he seems smarter than the monitors I've worked with there is a lot of debate About what one is smarter but here's a pic from today

[findiviglio]

Thanks, Tyler...easy to see that alertness in the eyes. Here's a note on one I ran across years ago: Notes from the Field.

Best, Frank

[Deac77]

Awesome story id give anything to make a doc on them

[findiviglio]

Thanks...yes, they need more attention; lots of material there for studies, films. I friend still, leads tours to the ranch on which we worked; I believe they are still plentiful. If you ever have a chance to travel there, let me know....

[Deac77]

I plan on it someday

[findiviglio]

Nothing like getting out there, I hope you do, Frank

[Lixra]

Very interesting read!

My husband and I have two Water Monitors; a 1 year old female (sulphur morph) and a 5 year old male. You definitely can see the wheels turning when these guys look at you! They're also the only lizards I have ever seen that actually use their feet in a cognitive fashion. Our big male will actually use his front feet to lift things up to look under to see if it's somewhere he wants to crawl into.

That being said, the biggest benefit to this (for us anyway), is that they both know the difference between our hands and a rat, which as far as I'm concerned is a definite bonus!

[findiviglio]

Very interesting read!

My husband and I have two Water Monitors; a 1 year old female (sulphur morph) and a 5 year old male. You definitely can see the wheels turning when these guys look at you! They're also the only lizards I have ever seen that actually use their feet in a cognitive fashion. Our big male will actually use his front feet to lift things up to look under to see if it's somewhere he wants to crawl into.

That being said, the biggest benefit to this (for us anyway), is that they both know the difference between our hands and a rat, which as far as I'm concerned is a definite bonus!

Hi Coleen,

Thanks very much...interesting observation concerning their hands. Recently, Black tree Monitors have been observed using their hands to extract insects from crevices; enrichment activities have been designed around this at zoos; please see this article: Reaching out for Enrichment in Arboreal Monitor Lizards « AAZK. I'll be posting a new article on monitors (general) soon.

I've been feeding many monitor species in zoos for decades, ranging from Storr's to Komodos - please take my word that they will bite your hand in time! Movement, distractions, scents all come into play, really has nothing to do with length of time in captivity, aggression, etc. Please use a feeding tongs, cuts can be deep, and serious infections are common. Best, Frank

[Lixra]

Ah yes, well we do use tongs for feeding, I definitely wouldn't want to get bitten by either one of them!

When they were very little we trained them to know that closed hand meant food was coming, open hand meant no food and we were reaching down to clean, give a bath, etc... I still will walk into his room with a closed fist before bringing in the rats and he immediately knows what's coming

[findiviglio]

Thanks; monitors really do seem to learn quite a bit; even things we do in passing when caring for them at the zoo are noticed and before long they are responding and even seem to be "predicting".

Are water monitors commonly kept and bred in the UK?

Best, Frank

[Lixra]

I wouldn't say they were common but I have seen an increasing number of people keep them as of late. The ones your most likely to find are the Savannah Monitors, Ackies, and (for what reason I really do not know!) Niles. The rarer ones being the salvators, Mertens, and Lace Monitors. Our little Sulphur Salvator girl is one of only three that have been captive bred in the UK.

[findiviglio]

I wouldn't say they were common but I have seen an increasing number of people keep them as of late. The ones your most likely to find are the Savannah Monitors, Ackies, and (for what reason I really do not know!) Niles. The rarer ones being the salvators, Mertens, and Lace Monitors. Our little Sulphur Salvator girl is one of only three that have been captive bred in the UK.

Thanks for the info, much appreciated. Niles are popular here in the US as well, and feral populations are now established in Florida (along with many other introduced herps, birds, insects, fishes, mammals, plants...).

Re your photo...are youesp intersted in salamanders? Great favorites of mine, I've written 2 salamander books and have articles posted on my blog; let me know if you'd like links (blog search engine not always very accurate). Best, Frank

[Lixra]

Yes, I'm in love with salamanders haha

I used to find the red-backs growing up in New Hampshire all the time, although the last time I was over there was in August and didn't see any unfortunately Did find a very adorable red-spotted newt eft wandering around though

Would love the links if you have them

[findiviglio]

Yes, I'm in love with salamanders haha

I used to find the red-backs growing up in New Hampshire all the time, although the last time I was over there was in August and didn't see any unfortunately Did find a very adorable red-spotted newt eft wandering around though

Would love the links if you have them

Colleen,

Redbacks are still around, most common species here in NE although they are disappearing from areas where soil pH has dropped due to acid rain, etc. In Northern NJ I can still find both red and leadback phases often, and some still hold out on grounds of Bx Zoo.

Here is a link to the salamander section of my blog; some general amphibian articles are mixed in as well (others manage site for me). Let me know if you have any specific interests, and I'll send other links.

"Happy Thanksgiving in the UK", Frank