I just got a nile monitor but I know from experience that the babies can be downright mean and if not taken care of properly you can end with a big mean lizard. Anyone have any suggestions on how I go about "taming" it? In the past ive had a petshop owner tell me to let it bite me as much as possible as a baby so it wouldn't have the interest to bite me when it got bigger. Would that work? or is there another way. I Have no problems with being bitten by it, he's only seven inches long right now and can only put pressure on my hand.

I would suggest letting him get used to his surroundings first. Then let him get used to your hands being in the tank offering food and water and cleaning the enclosure, slowly starting to handle him and letting him know you are not a threat. Most baby'juvenile herps have the basic instinct that whatever is larger than them is out to eat them. It may take a little time.

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Ken
" The United States Marine Corps......sure we are a department of the Navy,,,,,,we're the MENS department "

Once hes used to your hands handle him a couple times a day and try hand feeding him "treats" such as wax worms and butter worms.

can I hand feed him his actual food? right now he's eating dusted crickets and goldfish

You can if you use some tongs,,,but I would only do it occasionally,,,dont want your fingers to wind up as a snack for him

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MARSHA

:D I'm smiling because I have no idea whats going on!

Use some feeding tongs for his regualr food, you want him to associate you with something pleasant...

how am I going to get him to differentiate between being fed and me wanting to hold him?

He'll get used to you being "in" his territory,,,and sooner or later realize you are not a threat.

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Ken
" The United States Marine Corps......sure we are a department of the Navy,,,,,,we're the MENS department "

and by the way...letting him bite you as much as possible as a baby will only make him used to biting you and teach him that biting you is "ok". I dont think you want an adult nile that thinks biting you is an ok thing to do :0

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-Adam

"Help Protect our Planet from Overcollection, Purchase Aquacultured Livestock and Captive Bred Herps"

in that case its good he actually isn't all that inclined to bite
for a baby. I fed him with my tongs and seemed to take well to that.