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Angelsweety017 Crocdoc Razeraze Cilliepogona IgCricket JPsShadow Angelsweety017 JPsShadow Angelsweety017 JPsShadow Razeraze Zach7655 Angelsweety017 Lzrd_girl JPsShadow Razeraze JPsShadow Razeraze Tony97 Angelsweety017 Kling Razeraze Crocdoc Angelsweety017 Razeraze JPsShadow Crocdoc Crocdoc Kling Razeraze

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#583713

Angelsweety017
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Ok everyone was diffently right!!! please help

i am scared sh*tless of my nile!!! he is the meanest thing i have ever come across, (hissing, whiping tail, and TRYING to bite) i did just got it but...the pet store said that i can return it. please i need suggestions: i am looking for a reptile that gets about 4-5 feet, something not aggressive (i can hold), not a snake (terrified of snakes), and something that will not eat me :) also, i would like a reptile that can eat things other than only rodents (pinkeys and crickets) and that can stay in a 29 gallon tank for right now. please help me i dont know what to get and i really dont have enough time because i have to trade it this week...any suggestions would be wonderful.

12/26/05 08:15pm

#583718

Crocdoc
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Message To: Angelsweety017 In reference to Message Id: 583713

Some advice

Don’t take this the wrong way, but I think you should stay away from reptiles for now. Either that, or forget your ’4-5’ foot minimum and get a bearded dragon. They have lovely personalities and are great starter reptiles.

I don’t think you’re ready for a 4-5 foot reptile unless you can get used to a snake, and then I would recommend a corn snake. Imagine that it is a lizard without legs, if that makes you less frightened of them. You’d have to feed it pinkies while small, then adult mice as it grew, though.

12/26/05 08:19pm

#583727

Razeraze
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Message To: Crocdoc In reference to Message Id: 583718

Some advice

i second crocdoc.

12/26/05 08:33pm

#583735

Cilliepogona
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Message To: Angelsweety017 In reference to Message Id: 583713

Ok everyone was diffently right!!! please help

I agree with Crocdoc; there is no reptile that fits your criteria. There are medium sized monitors that get 4-5 feet, but no monitor is guaranteed to be handleable and non-aggressive. Also any monitor that size will need a staple diet of rodents. And honestly, even a hatchling mid-sized monitor will outgrow a 29 g tank in no time. Another lizard that fits the size range is a tegu; Argentine reds are probably your best bet as far as temperment, but not all of them become docile either. Also they will need to be fed rodents and fruit. Let’s see, green iguanas average around 4-5 feet, although they can exceed 6 feet, and are herbivores, but most of those are very aggressive and hate being handled. A snake would be your best bet; corn snakes tend to be one of the most handleable of all snakes, and usually reach 4-5 feet, but they eat rodents, like most other snakes in the pet trade. I have a trio of bearded dragons that I breed. They are extremely laid back and handleable, and usually don’t mind being held at all. Insects, greens and veggies make up their diet, and although they only reach 16-24 inches typically, a beardie would be my suggestion to you. A baby would do fine in a 29 gallon tank for the time being, probably for a few months, but will need at least a 50 gallon breeder or larger as an adult.

12/26/05 08:42pm

#583824

IgCricket
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Message To: Cilliepogona In reference to Message Id: 583735

Ok everyone was diffently right!!! please help

The only two animals i can think of are 1) Bearded dragon and 2) an ackie. Both these animals will require bigger than 29 gallons. The only reptile i can think of that will permanently stay in 30 gallons are pueblan milks and stinkpot turtles. In general reptiles arn’t a cute, cuddley pets. A Uro might be good. Just make sure you arn’t afraid of what you have- the worst thing possible is a keeper afraid of what they keep. Respect for the animal is one thing, but being afraid for your life evertime you clean it’s cage is very bad! Maybe you can get store credit instead, and wait to think it over more. Beardies cost more than the price you will get back for the nile. Do Research!!!

12/26/05 09:56pm

#584331

JPsShadow
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Message To: Angelsweety017 In reference to Message Id: 583713

Ok everyone was diffently right!!! please help

hmm hate to say it but told you so Link

Everything your seeing is normal. You should be scared and it is good that you are. It will prevent you from getting complacent and getting a nasty bite. These are not dogs and that is what everyone was trying to get across to you. It doesn’t matter if you saw a big tame monitor at one point. They are all not like that especially niles.

Seeing one and owning one are two different things. I wouldn’t worry about making sure it is 4-5ft. Your best bet is to get a smaller species to learn what reptiles are all about. Then you will know the behaviors and what it takes to keep them but in a smaller more managable package. No matter how hard you wish for it to be calm or tolerant of you it will not help.

If I had to suggest something to you I would say go with an ackie, but if your stuck on something larger then perhaps try a dumerils. Or perhaps even try looking outside the monitor world , bearded dragon, or tegu. Whatever you get just try and put the its going to be a lap lizard out of your mind. If you cannot do so then I wouldn’t suggest any reptiles.

12/27/05 12:40pm

#584342

Angelsweety017
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Message To: JPsShadow In reference to Message Id: 584331

Ok everyone was diffently right!!! please help

well it turns out that i cannot return him, but i am going to talk to the person that my boyfriend bought him from to see if she can help me handle him without freaking out and getting him worked up. i do thank all of you for your advise, it looks like ill probably be needing it more often...

12/27/05 12:48pm

#584370

JPsShadow
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Message To: Angelsweety017 In reference to Message Id: 584342

Ok everyone was diffently right!!! please help

What store in FL. did you get it from? I am also in Fl. perhaps I can help you out.

If you plan on keeping it then I suggest taking your time. Don’t reach in and grab it. Get it used to you slowly not forcefully. Holding them in restraint before they are ready will only empower their dislike.

Oh and for when it is older you may want to pick up a pair of welders gloves.

12/27/05 01:25pm

#584394

Angelsweety017
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Message To: JPsShadow In reference to Message Id: 584370

Ok everyone was diffently right!!! please help

i live in lakeland fl and i got the toby from reptile shack on memorial blvd toward the flea market (toward aurbondale)...where are you

12/27/05 01:51pm

#584407

JPsShadow
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Message To: Angelsweety017 In reference to Message Id: 584394

Ok everyone was diffently right!!! please help

Never heard of the store you mentioned but I’m not too familiar with your area. I live on the other coast south east of you.

12/27/05 02:09pm

#584439

Razeraze
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Message To: Angelsweety017 In reference to Message Id: 584342

Ok everyone was diffently right!!! please help

my water was extremely mean when i got her you have to realy find out what makes the animal trust you and feel safe around you. then you can move up to things like classical conditioning.
listen to jody he is one of the few people who works with niles. you could also ask kling (neil) and see how his interactions are going. it took a year of learning to read my monitor and apply methods of learning to get her to calm down. stick with it and you might learn they can be awesome pets but don’t ever expect it to calm down only encourage it.
read these Link
Link
Link then through experiance and others help you might be able to work with your monitor. BE PATIENT AND DON’T GET UPSET.
if you need more of my help p.m. me and i will give you my number. also talk to jody and neil (jp shadows/kling)

12/27/05 02:53pm

#584488

Zach7655
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Message To: Razeraze In reference to Message Id: 584439

Ok everyone was diffently right!!! please help

i 2nd razeraze

12/27/05 04:10pm

#584537

Angelsweety017
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Message To: JPsShadow In reference to Message Id: 584407

Ok everyone was diffently right!!! please help

do you know of any place in tampa that i could consult, thats where i work....

12/27/05 05:15pm

#584572

Lzrd_girl
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Message To: Angelsweety017 In reference to Message Id: 584537

Ok everyone was diffently right!!! please help

LOL, well You guys are telling her that NO reptile suits her, at least lizard...

but what about a cute little leopard gecko, I don’t think you really should stick with your 4-5’ range..and bearded dragons as babies can be hissy

Leopard geckos are adorably cute, stay small, babies are a little fiesty, but calm down fast, and they can live in a 10 gallon all their life.

Here are 2 of the 7 I have. They both live in a 20 gallon, and Aren’t quite adults, but are getting big

Also, as substrate if you do choose to get one...don’t put them on loose substrate as they can easily get impacted from it.

Good Luck

12/27/05 05:40pm

#584579

JPsShadow
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Message To: Angelsweety017 In reference to Message Id: 584537

Ok everyone was diffently right!!! please help

I know a few people over your way that work or have worked with monitors. I am not familiar with the stores over that way though.

12/27/05 05:46pm

#584588

Razeraze
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Message To: JPsShadow In reference to Message Id: 584579

Ok everyone was diffently right!!! please help

hey jody have you seen this it was started by flavio morrisey from gatorland

Link

just thought it was interesting. it is still in progress and most of it is not fineshed he just opened it a few days ago i guess. i just got off the phone with him.

12/27/05 05:56pm

#584599

JPsShadow
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Message To: Razeraze In reference to Message Id: 584588

Ok everyone was diffently right!!! please help

Nope, but just read a bit of the lizard training. That is more manipulation then training. They took an already existing behavior (prey drive). Then used it to get what they wanted. In this case to go to seperate sides of the cage.

I don’t think thats the type of training Angelsweety017 had in mind.

12/27/05 06:06pm

#584624

Razeraze
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Message To: JPsShadow In reference to Message Id: 584599

Ok everyone was diffently right!!! please help

yeah but every little bit counts. i spoke with flavio and he said they also work to desencitize the behavior so the aggressive food or defence behavior is worked on. if you remember back i used to talk about jim nesci from cold blooded creatures and now i am sad to say he takes the easy raod. he is buying some from flavio that have already been worked with rather than doing it himself.
it goes back to that training by using natural behavior discussion.

well just thought it was interesting and i am sure it will get more interesting as time goes by.

12/27/05 06:30pm

#584775

Tony97
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Message To: Angelsweety017 In reference to Message Id: 584537

Ok everyone was diffently right!!! please help

maybe you would be interested in tegus? like an argentine black and white , or blue tegu.

12/27/05 08:58pm

#584930

Angelsweety017
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Message To: Razeraze In reference to Message Id: 584624

Ok everyone was diffently right!!! please help

thanks raz i got him to eat, and he loved it!!! :) i did what you said to do with the pinkie and he went for it...thanks

ps..he is still pissed off at me about this morning though :(

12/27/05 10:59pm

#584949

Kling
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Message To: Angelsweety017 In reference to Message Id: 584930

Ok everyone was diffently right!!! please help

my nile loves to eat he eat 10 min the outher day and he is only 3 ft..

what i do with my nile is whan i wanna hold him is.. i reach in his cage and i let him see me and than i pet the base of his tail...
than i slowley rach under his belly some time he will let me hole him outher times he will say f*** you i’ll try3 time if he will not let me hole him i’ll let him go and try on a later time.. like today he would not let me hold him so i want down with some turkey.. and then ne was like ok i’ll let you hold me for a bit.. so i held him for 5 min and put him back in his cage and let him go with his trukey .. try something along them lines ..

hope that helps..
Neil

12/27/05 11:17pm

#584961

Razeraze
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Message To: Kling In reference to Message Id: 584949

Ok everyone was diffently right!!! please help

keep up the great work kling. i am so proud people are listening to me.

you are welcome Angelsweety017 .now leave him alone for tonight and try again tommorow you want him to eat.

12/27/05 11:24pm

#584995

Crocdoc
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Message To: Razeraze In reference to Message Id: 584961

Ok everyone was diffently right!!! please help

jesus, razeraze, you crack me up. Kling is doing what I was telling you to do with your monitors and what you refused to believe was the way to go: Developing trust rather than force handling.

12/27/05 11:48pm

#584999

Angelsweety017
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Message To: Crocdoc In reference to Message Id: 584995

Ok everyone was diffently right!!! please help

i like that...trust...yea that should sum it up!!!..nice

12/27/05 11:50pm

#585020

Razeraze
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Message To: Crocdoc In reference to Message Id: 584995

Ok everyone was diffently right!!! please help

i have had several conversations by phone and p.m with kling before you even came to this site. i am having great conversations with plenty of people who share my views and ideas on classical conditioning/ stimuli responce training.
just like it worked for angelsweety in one night.
i also helped kling with his red tail boa but you can take the credit for that too. maybe training my mom’s chinchilla also was your idea?
well who ever was responsible kling keep up the good work. you too angela.

12/28/05 12:01am

#585044

JPsShadow
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Message To: Razeraze In reference to Message Id: 585020

Ok everyone was diffently right!!! please help

haha I too have talked to these people so guess you could add my name to the list as well. I think they get more help then just one source. They then take what is useful or atleast what they think is useful (even if it ends up being not so in the end).

It is no suprise you find people on here that share your views this site is full of beginners. Try at another site full of those of us who have kept them and learned from them over many years and you will get a different response ( the way crocdoc and myself reply to you).

You once read a post I made about treating them like a wild squirrel and commented on how great it was. Oddly enough it is the samething crocdoc is talking about.

I am glad you are helping people it saves me from repeating myself, after all I know where you go when you need help. haha

12/28/05 12:30am

#585054

Crocdoc
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Message To: JPsShadow In reference to Message Id: 585044

Squirrels

Not only do I agree with the squirrel concept, I posted a similar analogy myself on kingsnake back in the days when I used to post on that forum.

12/28/05 12:40am

#585056

Crocdoc
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Message To: Crocdoc In reference to Message Id: 585054

Squirrels

oh, and Kling and I have also conversed via pm. I’ll leave it up to him to decide whether or not he’ll add his views to this thread, for they may surprise you.

12/28/05 12:42am

#585064

Kling
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Message To: Crocdoc In reference to Message Id: 585056

Squirrels

see i take all the avice i get and throw it in to a big pot in my head and mix it all up and come out with my own LOl and it works.. like i take some stuff what raz gives me and i’ll read a nonther post and see raz avice and use some of that and there is jp can’t for get him.. i;ll take his too and i came out with what i have..

Neil

12/28/05 12:53am

#585259

Razeraze
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Message To: Kling In reference to Message Id: 585064

Squirrels

that is the best way to do it neil.

crocdoc and jp i was talking about the part where kling said he rewarded the nile with turkey for being held. that is stimulative responce training. the people i have been talking to are not all newbies. jim nesci has worked with monitors for years, so has lou,flavio with crocs. they simply are using manipulative training if that is a better word. and after speakinig to flavio and talking to a few on the animal behavior society i have recieved more contacts in the reptile training world. flavio says he can go in and touch the tounge of some of his alligators therough certain types of reaction training.
kling keep up the good work rewarding the animal for tolerating you holding him is how it starts. soon you can have him coming to a clicker or standing on his hind legs. (i know these are natural behaviors but they are still triggered by a cue from me)

12/28/05 11:25am

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