Re: Interesting analogy..........."puppy dog tame"

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Posted by Jackie Lapradd on June 16, 2002 at 18:04:39:

In Reply to: Interesting analogy........... posted by Kevin Earley on June 16, 2002 at 17:07:15:

Well said Kevin!
As far as Beadeds go it is pretty much the same thing. It really depends on the individual animal. All of the Beadeds I have had were very docile and laid back. However a few months ago I bought a subadult female that acts like the Devil. Anytime you walk past the enclosure she will hiss and open her mouth in a defensive posture. Let me tell you if you took a bite from this girl you would be in a world of hurt! I have never seen another Heloderma with as much venom/saliva bubbling out!
Even though Kevin said it I will repeat ALWAYS TREAT THESE ANIMALS WITH RESPECT.

Jackie Lapradd

: Here's my two cents worth.

: It has been my experience that much like people and other animals, there are varying degrees in gila temperament. All of my observations are based on within captive situations and those are usually much different than in the wild. Captive raised animals "act" differently then those you would encounter in the wild that grew up defending themselves from threats. And I do mean defending themselves, they are not aggressive they are defensive. I cannot speak for the "personalities" of wild gilas but there are others lurking in the crevices that can (LOL).

: I have within our colony from one extreme to another when it comes to temperament and keep in mind there are also seasonal as well as hunger induced "attitude changes". I have seen gilas that were very placid and calm when interacted with. However I have seen those same gilas lunge for food with amazing quickness for a normally lethargic animal.

: I feel that like all animals with teeth and claws they have the potential to bite and scratch. Even the puppy from your analogy can bite if put in the wrong situation.

: The best rule of thumb is to realize that no matter how confortable your are with your animal or how you handle it be prepared to suffer any consequences that may happen.

: These are VENOMOUS animals and should be treated that way. And what way is that you ask? Well that is up to the individual handler and their skill, technique, and preference.

: I acquired a gila monster from an individual on this forum that I have had for over a year (it is now 1 yr and 8 months old) that is by far the "tamest" gila I have ever been around as well some of the babies that I have raised from last year are quite placid. But I also have ones that any time you interact with them they hiss and gape and lunge (and that's when their happy to see you).

: I would use the same example with many animals that have a reputation for being defensive/aggressive such as monitor species or pythons like Reticulateds. You will always see from one extreme to the other and I have maintained the good and bad of both. And sometimes you don't always know what will set them off.

: I think that of any animals that someone will get hurt by it is the ones that they have been complacent with basically because of that reason. When you drop your gaurd that's when you get suprised. That's when you say things like "Damn I never would have thought it would have bit" as oppossed to "If I don't watch it I'm gonna get bit".

: Having said this understand that I love gilas (I have no experience with beadeds) no matter what their temperament. Appreciate them for the animals they are not if they can fetch the paper for you.

: Kevin

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Allow me to "come out of my crevice" and elaoborate...... Chuck A. Walla 06/16/02 (1)
- I didn't know there was more than one crevice dweller (LOL) Kevin Earley 06/16/02 (0)

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: Well said Kevin! : As far as Beadeds go it is pretty much the same thing. It really depends on the individual animal. All of the Beadeds I have had were very docile and laid back. However a few months ago I bought a subadult female that acts like the Devil. Anytime you walk past the enclosure she will hiss and open her mouth in a defensive posture. Let me tell you if you took a bite from this girl you would be in a world of hurt! I have never seen another Heloderma with as much venom/saliva bubbling out! : Even though Kevin said it I will repeat ALWAYS TREAT THESE ANIMALS WITH RESPECT. : Jackie Lapradd : : Here's my two cents worth. : : It has been my experience that much like people and other animals, there are varying degrees in gila temperament. All of my observations are based on within captive situations and those are usually much different than in the wild. Captive raised animals "act" differently then those you would encounter in the wild that grew up defending themselves from threats. And I do mean defending themselves, they are not aggressive they are defensive. I cannot speak for the "personalities" of wild gilas but there are others lurking in the crevices that can (LOL). : : I have within our colony from one extreme to another when it comes to temperament and keep in mind there are also seasonal as well as hunger induced "attitude changes". I have seen gilas that were very placid and calm when interacted with. However I have seen those same gilas lunge for food with amazing quickness for a normally lethargic animal. : : I feel that like all animals with teeth and claws they have the potential to bite and scratch. Even the puppy from your analogy can bite if put in the wrong situation. : : The best rule of thumb is to realize that no matter how confortable your are with your animal or how you handle it be prepared to suffer any consequences that may happen. : : These are VENOMOUS animals and should be treated that way. And what way is that you ask? Well that is up to the individual handler and their skill, technique, and preference. : : I acquired a gila monster from an individual on this forum that I have had for over a year (it is now 1 yr and 8 months old) that is by far the "tamest" gila I have ever been around as well some of the babies that I have raised from last year are quite placid. But I also have ones that any time you interact with them they hiss and gape and lunge (and that's when their happy to see you). : : I would use the same example with many animals that have a reputation for being defensive/aggressive such as monitor species or pythons like Reticulateds. You will always see from one extreme to the other and I have maintained the good and bad of both. And sometimes you don't always know what will set them off. : : I think that of any animals that someone will get hurt by it is the ones that they have been complacent with basically because of that reason. When you drop your gaurd that's when you get suprised. That's when you say things like "Damn I never would have thought it would have bit" as oppossed to "If I don't watch it I'm gonna get bit". : : Having said this understand that I love gilas (I have no experience with beadeds) no matter what their temperament. Appreciate them for the animals they are not if they can fetch the paper for you. : : Kevin : :

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