Monitor lizards, with their impressive size and captivating personalities, can make fascinating companions. However, their strength and potential for unpredictable behavior necessitate safe handling practices, especially during veterinary visits or transportation. Owning a monitor lizard comes with a responsibility to ensure both its safety and your own, and a crucial aspect of responsible ownership is learning how to properly handle and restrain your pet. Many keepers find a harness invaluable for this purpose.
Successfully harnessing your monitor lizard requires a gentle, patient approach and a clear understanding of the process. Improper harnessing can cause injury or stress to your reptile, so following the correct steps is crucial. This easy step-by-step guide will walk you through the process of safely and effectively putting a harness on your monitor lizard, minimizing stress for both you and your pet. Let's begin!
Preparation and Safety Guidelines
- Petite-sized dog harness
- Zip tie
- Needle-nose pliers
- Monitor lizards are powerful and potentially dangerous. Always have a second person present to assist, especially with larger lizards.
- Never force the harness onto your lizard. If it struggles excessively, stop immediately and try again later. A stressed lizard is more likely to injure itself or you.
- Use a properly fitted harness designed specifically for reptiles. Improperly fitted harnesses can cause injury.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prepare the Lizard
- Feed your monitor lizard a full meal. A full belly makes them calmer and easier to handle.
Prepare the Lizard Prepare the Harness
- Lay out the harness. A petite-sized dog harness is recommended as it's more comfortable for the lizard than a specialized reptile harness.
Prepare the Harness Put on the Harness
- Gently slide your monitor's left leg into the harness leg opening.
- Slide the right leg into the harness.
- Pull the harness up over your monitor's body.
Put on the Harness Secure the Harness
- Pinch the two rings of the harness at the chest area together. This is where you will attach the zip tie.
- Secure the harness by sliding a zip tie through the pinched rings.
- Tighten the zip tie snugly, but not too tight, to ensure comfort and prevent strangulation.
- Cut off the excess zip tie with needle-nose pliers.
Secure the Harness
Tips
- Work slowly and calmly to avoid stressing your monitor.
- Ensure there's enough room in the front and back of the harness for your monitor to breathe comfortably.
- Wash your hands thoroughly before handling your monitor to remove any lingering smells.
- Use a petite-sized dog harness; they are more comfortable and less restrictive than reptile harnesses.