Behaviour & Mannerisms:
Below are some common questions and answers related to specific behaviour & mannerisms I have noticed with my Savannah Monitor.
Sneezing:
Q: Do monitors ever sneeze, (in non health related ways)??
A1: Yes. If a Savannah Monitor is digging around in dry substrate they can sneeze just like we do when something tickles our nose.
A2: Sometimes a monitor will make a sneezing sound but they are actually blowing air through their nose to expel excess salt. Iguanas do this too.
Q: Do monitors ever sneeze, (in non health related ways)??
A1: Yes. If a Savannah Monitor is digging around in dry substrate they can sneeze just like we do when something tickles our nose.
A2: Sometimes a monitor will make a sneezing sound but they are actually blowing air through their nose to expel excess salt. Iguanas do this too.
Coughing:
Q: Do monitors ever cough, (in non health related ways)??
A: Yes. So far the only time my monitor coughs is when he gets water in his lungs. This is just like what happens with you when you swallow water funny and it causes you to cough. It is easy for this to happen since he and therefore his lungs are so low to the ground. Imagine drinking water while laying on your stomach and you'll get the picture.
Q: Do monitors ever cough, (in non health related ways)??
A: Yes. So far the only time my monitor coughs is when he gets water in his lungs. This is just like what happens with you when you swallow water funny and it causes you to cough. It is easy for this to happen since he and therefore his lungs are so low to the ground. Imagine drinking water while laying on your stomach and you'll get the picture.
Hissing:
Q: Why do they hiss??
A1: Normally when a monitor hisses it means he/she is agitated or scared and is warning you to stay away. My monitor has only hissed at me once or twice and that was when I first bought him. I ignored it though and just picked him up & he stopped. He didn't even try to bite me.
A2: A hiss could actually be him exhaling the air he has swallowed.
Q: Why do they hiss??
A1: Normally when a monitor hisses it means he/she is agitated or scared and is warning you to stay away. My monitor has only hissed at me once or twice and that was when I first bought him. I ignored it though and just picked him up & he stopped. He didn't even try to bite me.
A2: A hiss could actually be him exhaling the air he has swallowed.
Swallowing Air/ Gulping:
Q: Why do monitors swallow air??
A1: A monitor might swallow air to appear bigger in order to discourage an enemy from attacking.
A2: When sunning themselves swallowing air can help maximize surface area.
A3: If they feel threatened they might wedge themselves into a tight spot and then swallow air. This can make it near impossible for a predator to dislodge them.
Q: Why do monitors swallow air??
A1: A monitor might swallow air to appear bigger in order to discourage an enemy from attacking.
A2: When sunning themselves swallowing air can help maximize surface area.
A3: If they feel threatened they might wedge themselves into a tight spot and then swallow air. This can make it near impossible for a predator to dislodge them.
Shrugging:
Q: Shrugging... what's that all about??
A: My monitor will shrug/ push with his back in order to gain more space. He does this when he is being handled and wants to be left alone or when he is under a blanket and wants more room. Sometimes when he does this, for no apparent reason, it seems like more of an involuntary reaction similar to what we humans experience from a shiver.
Q: Shrugging... what's that all about??
A: My monitor will shrug/ push with his back in order to gain more space. He does this when he is being handled and wants to be left alone or when he is under a blanket and wants more room. Sometimes when he does this, for no apparent reason, it seems like more of an involuntary reaction similar to what we humans experience from a shiver.
Tail Whips:
Q: What is tail whipping and why do they do that??
A: Savannah Monitors have a thick and heavy tail that can be used to slap an attacker. Tail whipping is done when a monitor is feeling threatened. My monitor only tried to tail whip me once. And that was shortly after I brought him home. He never does that sort of thing now.
Q: What is tail whipping and why do they do that??
A: Savannah Monitors have a thick and heavy tail that can be used to slap an attacker. Tail whipping is done when a monitor is feeling threatened. My monitor only tried to tail whip me once. And that was shortly after I brought him home. He never does that sort of thing now.
Biting:
Q: Does your monitor bite?? Does it hurt?? A: Yes. I have been bitten a few times. No, he has never drawn blood. No, it didn't hurt. Although other people who have been bitten might disagree. In my opinion being bitten is actually more scary than painful. Despite their strong bite a Savannah Monitors teeth are quite small compared to a dog or cats teeth which are designed to puncture, tear, and/or shred. If you were to look at the skull of a Savannah Monitor you would see that their teeth are designed for gripping not tearing. I would much rather be bitten by a monitor than by a dog or cat. My Savannah Monitor is very well behaved and doesn't really bite the way you might be thinking. He knows me and my hands and has never attacked me or become aggressive. He is smart and doesn't bite to be mean or nasty. It is hunger related. And if my hand smells like food, even slightly, he may taste me a few times before trying to bite down on his "meal". (video above right) It is very obvious when he does this and also very easy to move my hand or toes out of the way. Sometimes I think he nips my big toe on purpose when he wants attention. He has never drawn blood. |
Approximate Age: 8-10 months.
This video helps to illustrate biting. Not something you want to encourage. It's pretty obvious that he is interested in my hand. The fact that I am not moving it is contributing to his notion that it must therefore be food. The way he nudges with his nose and flicks his tongue is his way of feeling out the edibility of an object. Using his forked tongue is a way for him to taste me in stereo. |
Water & Swimming:
Q: Do monitors like water?? Can they swim??
A: Yes, they love water and are actually very good swimmers. But before you chuck your lizard into your neighbours swimming pool keep in mind that Chlorine is bad for them!! (Read the Food & Water section for more information on how to treat water that has Chlorine in it.)
Q: Do monitors like water?? Can they swim??
A: Yes, they love water and are actually very good swimmers. But before you chuck your lizard into your neighbours swimming pool keep in mind that Chlorine is bad for them!! (Read the Food & Water section for more information on how to treat water that has Chlorine in it.)
Here is a short list of reasons why I love having a Savannah Monitor:
Approximate Age: 2.5 years
_Not afraid of the vacuum. Lays there as I clean around him.
_Hypo allergenic. No fur or hair. Easy clean up of shed skin.
_Very quiet. Doesn't bark or meow.
_Hangs out with me, follows me around, and loves to check out whatever project I am working on at the time. (photo left)
_Hypo allergenic. No fur or hair. Easy clean up of shed skin.
_Very quiet. Doesn't bark or meow.
_Hangs out with me, follows me around, and loves to check out whatever project I am working on at the time. (photo left)
Misc. Traits:
_Afraid of the outdoors. (BTW - Not all monitors are afraid of being outside.)
_Very curious & active. Likes to explore. (All healthy specimens should be highly active.)
_Afraid of the outdoors. (BTW - Not all monitors are afraid of being outside.)
_Very curious & active. Likes to explore. (All healthy specimens should be highly active.)
All photos & videos by John Kleinknecht - Copyright © 2013 - All Rights Reserved Worldwide