what species of monitor would you recomend to make the best pets. size and cost is not an issue (please include tegus but only nice species)

the main trait I am looking for is nice/ enjoys handling




Thanks


PS: can someone knowledgable about savanna monitors please post a care sheet or post a link to an acurate one

I can almost guarantee people are going to say what you have now (the sav) is the easiest monitor. Unfortunately I don't have any experience with any sort of monitors so I can't be of much help.

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I'd have to say that only Savs fall into that category. Other monitors will tolerate handling but don't seem content to just sit on your lap and veg. I highly recommend the book and Savannahs by Daniel Bennett. It would be far superior than any caresheet you'll find.
Keep in mind though there is always the chance you'll get a Sav that won't want to be tamed.

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Mike
"Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you." - Mother Teresa

I have a Nile and WOULD NOT recomend them. I have a small Sav that is quite content when being handled.

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I guess I always have this sort of luck. My sav was sooo mean.

Monitors in general are typically more aggressive and seem to be very pig headed about handling. I have seen some that will let you touch them, but that is about as far as that gets, I have seen some that wait for you to open the enclosure so they can bite you, and I have seen some that can be taken out on a leash with very little trouble, I think the sav is your best bet, however they all have minds of their own.

A lot of it has to do with regularity,, patience, and, as almost everyone here who has tamed any large lizard will tell you, willingness to put in blood sweat and tears for the greater good. The younger they are when you get them the easier it is going to be, but it is definitely an up hill climb.

I'm not a big fan of the word mean, think of it as socially resistant, I have found people are less afraid of that verbiage.

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TKE:TT:118

We have both a Savannah Monitor and a Columbian Tegu. Each has it's challenges. The Sav was in a pet store for 8 months, and was blind in one eye and had lost a little of his tail. He still is small for his age, he was very aggressive at the pet store, so they were afraid to feed him, let alone handle him. We were the only people who ever came in and tried to handle him. We took him home, and he is much nicer now, but still likes to play alligator when you take him out of his cage. We have him in a cage instead of a tank, because the closed in feeling of a tank makes him crazy after being in a small tank at the pet store so long. My Tegu was also in a pet store for over 8 months. They were extremely afraid of her. I walked in and picked her up, and held her, she settled shortly after, and I took her home (for a very small price). Since then, she has gone to fair and other showings, and with supervision has played with even small children. This does not mean she always comes happily out of her cage (same problem as the Sav, can't stand to be in a tank of any sort. She has a lot of attitude, but loves to spend cuddle time too. She is very jealous of the new rescue ig. They like to give each other the "evil eye". They do not get taken out at the same time! Personality wise, I like the Tegu, my daughter loves her Sav's though. Do your research before you decide.

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Kat

Ive never had a sav before but its gotta be easier than my argus. I know some guys that say ackies are nice to. idk about tegus though.

Savs get a bad rap because they "Act mean" They hiss and squirm all the time when you try to hold them.
Believe me! They're bluffing!
I've had mine since april '07. He started about being six inches and now he's 20 inches. I got bit one time right after he was a hatchling. That's been it for me. No more, I've got him trained.(Then again, I don't poke my finger in his face at all)

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Git'er Done!

the filter here mangles a you tube link, but if you search you tube for the keyword string:
bosc savannah monitor lizard tame trained
you will be able to find 30 (new ones up today) vids by kaffir2 showing how a pair of savs were raised from little ones to adults. they are the friendliest, best behaved savs you are likely to find anywhere.

pay close attention to the way the keepers pick up the animals in almost every vid.