Argus Monitor, The Best Pet Lizard? + Training a Monitor Lizard With Joseph Carter the Mink Man

[@abherbitter]

You should 10,000% make a video on target training. It's literally impossible to overemphasize how much this is a thing you should do.

[@heddabedda306]

Yes! It’d be so cool to partner with Lori Torrini for this. (She has 70+ snakes that she trains and I’ve learned so much her channel that has improved how I interact with mine.) It’s added a whole knew level of fun for me and enrichment for my snakes. My results have been great and I wish more people knew that snakes can be trained - especially for those of us who own larger species. For example, a retic that moves itself of its own volition anywhere you ask it to go completely transforms what it’s like to care for that animal. Such a reduction in stress and the potential for injury for both parties. Please help make target training common knowledge and common practice in the hobby Clint!

[@geckofeet]

Yes. please. I could definitely use that for my roommate.

[@mangopanda8310]

I agree!

[@silverjade10]

@@geckofeet you're going to target train your roommate? 🤔 Ohhh, what targets are you gonna use? And what will you train them to do?

[@geckofeet]

@@silverjade10 Toilet training would be nice, for a start.

[@CentipedeGuy]

Ant colony, best pet city?

[@jacknicholls9679]

This made me laugh more than it should have 😂

[@donovaninniss1138]

Wish i could like this twice

[@FaerieDragonZook]

Does have competition in honeybee hives

[@dumper87]

I’ve been waiting for this one! Joseph should get a PHD for this. He’s opened up an entirely new concept in reptile intelligence.

[@ClintsReptiles]

Hopefully it was worth the wait :)

[@dumper87]

@@ClintsReptiles it was, definitely. These are exciting times we’re living in as reptiholics. People are discovering things in reptiles that were thought impossible 10 years ago. Now actual emotions are on the table.

[@charlescarter2072]

@@ClintsReptiles will a monitor and a mink attack each other?

[@heysaucemikehere1804]

So many people outside of the reptile community don’t realize how intelligent many reptiles can be, so it’s awesome that it’s being shown!

[@P_steez]

That’s why it’s cool joe is the one training raptor, because reptiles aren’t even his forte

[@stefanostokatlidis4861]

So many people inside the reptile community do this too.

[@minhducnguyen674]

I think another factor that played in is as Joshep had pointed out that's not every reptiles are both intelligent and highly motivated. Therefore it's hard to realize how intelligent some reptile can be when our criteria usually based on how easy can you train an animal.

[@Erden99]

"Gonna need a really hot basking spot" *shows Raptor sitting on his own head* The self-confidence is staggering ;D

[@AnnaRenee]

Learning about reptile intelligence is one of my favorite subjects to study! What a cool species! I really liked that the distinction between motivation and intelligence was made, that really helps people understand why animals do what they do.

[@Alein116]

I remember when The Mink Man got Raptor. Every time I see Raptor I get excited to see what training progress he has made. Its also awesome to see him go on channels I love to watch and see their reactions to his training!

[@bettymorgan4737]

Please do a target training/training video using some of the mink man's techniques. I have subscribed to his channel and watched all of raptors training videos. It is inspiring, LOL, and my Argus monitor, presumed female, will arrive next week.

[@ClintsReptiles]

Very cool!

[@M0053yfate]

Brave, good luck.

[@blacksheepnomad9000]

What made you going with Argus monitors. I'm enamored with water monitors myself

[@bettymorgan4737]

They are very active and curious. I love the tripoding behavior, they don't need a huge filtered water feature, and I like their overall look. I like water monitors too but trying to keep a big enough water hole to enable them to really swim is too much for me.

[@jonathanmorneau7526]

@@ClintsReptiles You should consider doing a video on mangrove monitors i have one and it doesn't have a whole lot on it information wise especially solomon island locale definitely alot less than some of the others and you've covered the others so well!

[@Psychoclaw]

Me, who is very food motivated: I'm a trainable genius.

[@KatieDeGo]

Yes, yes you are 😊

[@amandastakeonit7402]

I think a target training video would be great for people to refer back to if and when they need it to train their animal.

[@tenchuu007]

"High intelligence low motivation" section got high school teachers everywhere right in the feels.

[@alexisgrunden1556]

It's easy to tell that Raptor isn't crazy about being held (squirmy), but the fact that he's not even trying to bite or whip speaks volumes to his training. Loved the collab, and the simple, factual breakdown of all the very relevant factors for pet ownership and care.

[@tonatiuhnino3711]

I guess the Mink Man is the real life version of Chris Pratt's character from Jurassic World.

[@ClintsReptiles]

It's either Joseph or Chandler

[@Galvanicmegamorph]

You have to check out Chandler

[@megaconda07]

I mean if Chris pratt had no idea what sub species of velociraptor he was dealing with maybe. He literally compared the argus subspecies from New guinea which is a distinct subspecies to the species to a distinct sub species of Australian argus monitors to a mink or rat species which now resides in the uk which is simply invasive as of right now and hasn't decided new care or environment parameters

[@lexslate2476]

Now I wonder if the monitors will like crisp rat.

[@tonatiuhnino3711]

@@Galvanicmegamorph Chandler is pretty cool.

[@bradshk5970]

Clint you have been teasing us with target training videos. we deserve a series by this point where you take us from start to finish

[@ClintsReptiles]

Seems reasonable

[@ihavenocommonsensebut2008]

Joseph Carter 2040: *”today im going to train this Cougar to hunt raccoons”*

[@OtterTreySSArmy]

No but actually. With humans now desiring bigger and more exotic pets, bigger things are now possible due to how well we know how to train things now. The most obvious big cat is the cougar or cheetah due to their already smaller size and more pleasant disposition. Go watch the Puma Messi channel. A man took his pet puma to dog obedience school and it was apparently the best one in the class. Obviously full domestication would take a while but it does prove that it would be theoretically possible.

[@zeynabuthman639]

@@OtterTreySSArmy I’d vote cheetah. They’re extremely trainable and we already have a long history with them as pets. They’d already be common pets if they weren’t so hard to breed in captivity and since they have no claws that they can use to fight ( unlike all other cats theirs are fixed like a dog’s and mostly used for traction when running) they’re really not any more dangerous than a dog of similar size. They also tend to like people if they’re used to them. They can be nervous though.

[@wardsuetens5525]

Target training is amazing, and it works on a lot of reptiles. Even my Jeweled Lacerta is target trained!

[@ClintsReptiles]

Nice!

[@bravek9427]

One of my blue tongues is trained too, motivation is definitely the key, I have a captive bred rescue that has probably had food handed to him his whole life, and he’s almost impossible to train, but my wild caught baby already comes when called, and is totally stimulated by it too

[@jayashreekher4791]

@@ClintsReptiles can you make a video about the Indian star tortoise? I am thinking of buying one (pretty please)

[@kated3165]

@@jayashreekher4791 I'd re-think getting one! They are SO heavily trafficked (because of their attractive looking shell) that they are being driven towards extinction in their native areas. Tons of re-sellers out there will pretend to have bred them, and its also what pet-stores usually tell their clients (...about all their animals even though no respectable breeder would pour time and energy in an animal just to then sell it at lower price to a pet-store!), but unless you can REALLY verify that don't believe it.

[@jayashreekher4791]

@@kated3165 oh, is that so?!! I did hear alot about wildlife trafficking. I think I will take a note about that and take a different route. This specie's conservation is needed more than my stupid fetishes. Thank you for making me aware about this.

[@cthecav]

I've never been overly interested in reptiles as pets but your enthusiasm and informative content has me looking at becoming a first time reptile owner. Thank you for the amazing vibes and content Clint.

[@sampagano205]

Literally just met an argus monitor at the reptile shop minutes ago.

[@ClintsReptiles]

Nice! Aren't they amazing??

[@sampagano205]

@@ClintsReptiles theyre really cool. All monitors are impressive honestly.

[@herpdiversity9152]

It is so cool to see collaboration between KZbin channels.

[@papanasicuafine]

I've been waiting for this video for a long time! And a target training video with Gusgus and Raptor would be really cool. Reptile trainability is such a fascinating and little-reported topic.

[@ClintsReptiles]

Agreed

[@42ZaphodB42]

Not only that, it also helps with other animals like birds. A lot of animals benefit much from target training and most pet owners have no idea about it, since they only know it from dog (maybe cat) training.

[@613-shadow9]

anything's more trainable than a cat

[@xandermin]

You can really tell that Raptor trusts his keeper, that must've taken a lot of work. I'm for sure gonna check out his channel!

[@Pezz42]

I love how you talk about motivation as a training factor. My German Shepherd as a puppy wasn't interested in treats as a training tool, she was water motivated. Instead of her getting a treat after doing something correctly, I would put a small splash of water in her bowl for her to lick up.

[@jeremyblackwater439]

Lol interesting

[@melostrich]

They all look so cute when they are baby’s then when they get big it’s a different story

[@77tegu]

Raptor is so cute, and the Mink guy is actually an impressive individual, he’s refreshingly understated and gives his knowledge in a clear and engaging manner. So kudos for a great guest and inspired by raptor’s cheeky grin perhaps you could do a cutest reptile feature.

[@thatgothbrat1992]

YES PLEASE DO A TARGET TRAINING VIDEO! I’d love to see more training videos for reptiles.

[@garretisla5282]

Joseph is an amazing animal trainer. His work is extensive, and multifaceted. His dogs are excellent ratters, and hunting dogs in general, and yet, he also does this for mink, and now monitor lizards. While some might think that it is easy to train these animals, I assure you, it is a huge amount of dedication, time, patience, and frustration. Not only that, but he also has to cross train all of these animals to work with and around each other, and that, is just crazy! Training dogs to not mess with a mink, and vice versa is already hard enough, but try throwing an Argus monitor into the mix! Absolutely absurd, and yet he does it! Most animals freak out around reptiles, let alone one as large and imposing as an Argus. His dogs are better trained than most people, if truth be told. Woe be to the rodent or pest that chooses Joe's house to live at, because that is a death most painful and terrible. Imagine being hunted and eaten alive by a dinosaur, or chased by a sinuous, sleek missle of fur and teeth just itching to bite through your skull.

[@Mgsfan-uz4pg]

I rate this episode three Sesame Street references out of five. And Raptor was pretty cool too.

[@clawer2969]

When you see that clint's reptiles notification.. You know your day can't get any better!

[@funpolice4416]

I've been waiting for Raptor for show up on the channel.

[@ClintsReptiles]

It happened!

[@dhgodzilla1]

That one when he looks at you, you can see he's working things out

[@halbronco7690]

You're making steve irwin proud man! Watching your stuff makes me feel like a kid again watching animal planet before it went the way of the history channel *checks their broadcasting schedule* "Pitbulls and Parolees" oh dear god.

[@ominous-omnipresent-they]

Ugh, I hate that show.

[@joshhunsberger1413]

I can't wait for the warmer months to see how the training has been going. And to see his minks in that nice new pond from the pond guys

[@josiahclarke3535]

Joseph and Clint should do regular stuff. They both have such a good energy for teaching people about animals and seem to get along really well.

[@pseudonym8655]

Such a huge fan of you both so I am very happy about this!

[@ClintsReptiles]

It's pretty exciting for me as well!

[@crazychickenchica7018]

I absolutely love watching Joseph and his family!

[@Silas237]

Big Yes to target training video!

[@erikcarrillo7378]

14:26 that camera angle makes Raptor look like a Raptor out of Jurassic park.

[@BrianSmith-jx7td]

I have been waiting for this for so long I love Argus monitors and I still hope you do Dumerils Monitor: the best pet lizard

[@ClintsReptiles]

We will :)

[@BrianSmith-jx7td]

@@ClintsReptiles Given the score of this lizard I honestly would not be surprised if the dumerils monitor would get a 3.0 or a 3.2

[@loriw2661]

What Joseph has done with his Mink is unbelievable!! He’s extremely good at reading animal behavior and he’s very, very consistent in training. I can’t wait to see Raptor out rat hunting with the dogs and the mink. If anyone could make that happen, it’s Joseph.

[@RoseProseFroze]

Yes, please do the target training video. It's useful. It's always good to see Raptor. Raptor is a good lizard.

[@Greg41982]

He was super fun to hold yesterday! Thank's Clint's Reptile Room and his awesome staff!!!

[@LincolnWiseDidMyMom]

Great colab. I love both of these channels!

[@anikanpiewalker5519]

I really needed this video it has made me choose how I will go about owning monitors

[@ClintsReptiles]

What did you decide?

[@Dragasm]

What a cool reptile! I really love these collaboration videos too. You you absolutely, definitely, wholeheartedly make a target training/operant conditioning video.

[@Beedo_Sookcool]

Yes, please! Let's see a video about target-training! That should be fascinating!

[@chrisadair4565]

I would love a video over Target Training! I love learning about how to connect more with animals. Also, if you are open to potential suggestions, I think it would be an awesome video of Sailfin Dragons or Green Basilisks. This video was epic and I cannot wait for the next!

[@victoriarodriguezgil4442]

I'm stoked for this collab! You and Joe are so kind and knowledgeable, and Raptor is badass. Please collab again in the future!!

[@jackimatamoros7098]

Not sure about pet, but this is amazing! To train these large scary monitors for good and practical use! Probably very enriching for them too!

[@hotshot19d]

Yes do a video on target training !!

[@kevindifranco3494]

Just noticed you should have 300k subs by the next video. An early congratz Clint & crew!! It's been a longtime .

[@brianawolf455]

PLEASE do a video on target training! I will likely never need this skill but it seems so interesting. 😅

[@charlesfraser1440]

Yes!! Please make a video about target training!!

[@fictional_emo]

What a perfect video to start my day with 😄 I have a cart full of merchandise I want to get as soon as I have the funds, and joining your Pateron is on my goal list too! Love you guys. I watch your content daily and it brings me so much joy. Thanks for everything you do!

[@parksrus2534]

Love the videos man I always learn something from you thank you and love the the fact you involve people that do things differently and progressively

[@fredygump5578]

Finally! I was beginning to doubt you would ever publish this video!

[@paullippe5710]

Target training video would be awesome!

[@gingermcgingin1733]

Yes, you should totally do a video on target training, it'd be an excellent resource not just for reptile owners, but pet owners/wannabe animal handles in general. Also, I'm once again asking you to do a video on the Boomslang snake.

[@Ms.paneto070]

I would love to see a target training video 📹😍😀!!!

[@thesteelbutterfly]

Incredibly informative video Clint and Joseph. I never understood targeting training by the word, and Joseph's demonstration was absolutely informative as I don't have a good grasp of it ever being seen. its super inspiring especially for a Argus Monitor. I gave you a follow Joseph and I hope to see more progress of Raptor in the future.

[@carterseichter4375]

Yessssssssssssss! I always wanted you to do an Argus Monitor video. Raptor is the cutest little guy ever!

[@ClintsReptiles]

He's amazing!

[@carterseichter4375]

@@ClintsReptiles Yes he is the nicest little Argus Monitor I have ever seen!

[@katelillo1932]

I’d love to see a target training video! Maybe the ackie would be a good candidate for a training video?

[@ClintsReptiles]

Perhaps. Though food aggression hasn't been a major concern from him.

[@isaacthedestroyerofstuped7676]

For a moment, I thought Joseph vanished mid sentence. That shirt camouflaged him with the wall. XD

[@thebeerdork]

Please do a target training video. This would be really helpful thanks.

[@_typhoid_mary_]

Target training is a game changer. And other associative training. My (free range) Savanah monitor knows to go to her cage and wait for food when I use a clicker and show her a red stuffed animals

[@xandermin]

That's so cool! I love that more people are using clicker training for reptiles, it's a great tool for animals with strong feeding responses.

[@ethanwilliamson8949]

An example of higher intelligence/lower motivation-cats.

[@djy5645]

Joseph Carter is a legend! Great collaboration 👌

[@periplanetamissionary]

I think the trainability category needs to be a permanent addition, since training can mean many things.

[@DFangs219]

+1 for a target training video!

[@shleed]

Been waiting for this video, awesome. One on Kimberly Rock Monitors would be amazing too.

[@donovanjones405]

Yes, please. A video on target training!

[@johnperson8587]

A TARGET TRAINING VIDEO WOULD BE FREAKING AWESOME

[@stefanostokatlidis4861]

A very different outstanding video that shows another side of the human reptile relationship. I am waiting to see his progress in summer, when he will be hunting outside again. Make more collaborations with Mink Man please.

[@allankang7374]

An Argus like monitor that grows to raptors current size would be the sand monitor, varanus flavirufus of australia.. They're like an exact miniarure version of an argus, tripodding and all. You should do a video on them! P.S. any video on Collared lizards in the future?

[@roberttrump37]

As someone who has spent a lot of time studying falconry this is incredible. It takes about 3-4 weeks to train a red-tailed hawk. I wonder how long it would take monitor like him learn to come back.

[@cherylj7460]

Fascinating! The training by mink man! Can’t wait to check it out!

[@PhantomMemory0]

I had a peach throat monitor which I utterly adored. Monitors are so intelligent and I loved the commentary about motivation vs. intelligence. You can have a "big dumb" creature do incredible things by tapping into those classical conditioning factors and harnessing those basal instincts. Once I get my house and build a sick enclosure I plan on incorporating some of these techniques!

[@mattm7798]

Great episode. Can you do the dwarf monitors that REALLY DO make good pets vs the giant monitors that mostly don't unless you've got money? And by Dwarf, I don't mean Ackies(tho very good pets, still required quite a large enclosure). Ackies actually tower over the "true" dwarf monitors like storii, gileni, pilbarensis, kingorum etc.

[@emmyseth5340]

clint: they need a ton of animal protein my brain: so scrambled eggs?

[@newtscamander7713]

So, Clint, for me at least, the waterfall on your set that was introduced a few months ago hasn't been disturbing at all, and looks great!!

[@ClintsReptiles]

Thank you so much!

[@dirtyjeepgirl]

A target training video would be great! It's a skill that can be applied to any animal and potentially prevent animals of any species from being abandoned/rehomed. The lives potentially saved is huge.

[@suzannesaba2452]

Plz add up some more training videos like this one because that was so helpful!

[@caspar_gomez]

so cool. been fascinated with monitor and reptile intelligence for a while

[@elicohen4515]

The laugh at 0:33 after Clint said “king cobra” is what does it for me

[@P_steez]

Joe is so awesome. A great speaker as well

[@HomeSlice97]

11:50 holy cow! I was not ready for that speed

[@SunnyLovetts]

It’s a little dragon without wings lol

[@vas_526]

Clint & Mink Man = dream team. Awesome video brother! 👍

[@mypetvelociraptor]

So happy I got my Argus! Thank you for your content!🙏

[@slickmullet3891]

Yes! A target training video would be so cool!

[@heatherpederson957]

Clint! Love your ctr ring. I had no idea but I should have guessed by your personality and demeanor.

[@aaronburkeen6409]

You definitely should do a video on target training. Also you can target train snakes as well. Not alot of people do. But I was able to it easy with my cornsnake.

[@malusignatius]

I'd love to see a vid on target training.

[@nataliesreptiles]

YES! Target training video would be awesome!

[@lyrieth8833]

I just live for the after takes on the end of your videos!!

[@scorchingronin9448]

Great vid! My Argus never stops chewing my ear 😂

[@ClintsReptiles]

Not a good habit

[@blueboltshrimp]

oh absolutely the motivation thing,,,, my most food-motivated foster rabbit has been the easiest to teach tricks, while I have barely bothered with my current foster, who is the least food-motivated I've had so far. Eats a bite or two and then goes back to hanging out in a box

[@strippi8632]

Does Clint go on a full hunt with the mink man? That’d be wild!

[@chopstick1671]

Amazing video! I absolutely love all monitors, so every monitor video means it's gonna be a good day haha!

[@aceclubbs6771]

I love Argus monitors! I had one years ago mamed Veronica. She was awesome. Love your content. Far as i can tell you are good people Clint. Herp on!

[@cmcmillan22]

When you say they eat a lot, I think you understated that lol. Argus can choke more food down pound for pound than any animal I’ve ever seen