What's It REALLY Like to Get Bit by a Real Monitor Lizard?

[@IntrepidExotics]

Thank you for all the great feedback! For more 🔔 CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE kzbin.info

[@OctopusWithNoFriends]

Handled that bite like a pro, man! And like a man, pro! Good stuff, as always. Great talk. Very important to bring a mature point of view to these inevitable bites.

[@rachaels8leggedwonders448]

I know it’s not funny, but every time you say “Let go!” I chuckle. It’s like talking to a naughty kid

[@EASnakes]

Props to you for keeping your cool in a crazy situation!

[@IntrepidExotics]

I pulled away from a bite one time, got skewered and decided never to do that again 🤣

[@YochevedDesigns]

Reminds me of some of the autistic kids I work with. It's hard to teach them not to bite, and if they are having a meltdown you have to stay really calm!

[@kizmo2317]

Best explanation I've ever heard for why Nile monitors are generally a**holes and Asian water monitors are generally chill. I had a Asian water monitor growing up and the only thing he ever did to me was whip me a couple of times with his tail. At the pet store where I bought him, they also had a Nile monitor that was a good bit cheaper, but the guy told me "you don't want that one".

[@nathancallaway2996]

your nile's a stunner.

[@pteromalid]

I appreciate this video. I've been researching Savannah monitors for over a year now to maybe raise one. This video relieved some of my fear, reinforced how to avoid the bite, and taught how to manage the monitor during the bite. Thank you.

[@willhickey7387]

Savannahs are so hard to keep alive in captivity. Good luck. Hope you do better than most.

[@Paula-sw2tt]

I was bitten two times by my six and a half foot boa constrictor, he bit and immediately released. Both times he was frightened. Very little damage was done. And while I do have a very high pain tolerance (I have 30 piercings and over two dozen tattoos), I thought that his bites were no big deal. I worried more about him, then myself. I adore Kevin at NERD and have learned a lot from his videos. As I have from yours. I will never keep a large monitor or a mainland retic, but they fascinate me and I love learning about them. Kevin's "threads of trust" works on all animals. How is my fav Silent Bob doing?

[@IntrepidExotics]

Bob is doing great :-)

[@kilakila992kilakila2]

I find it's the thought of getting bit is worse then an actual bite.

[@katiekane5247]

Almost always, unless it's a cat or a Chihuahua 😂

[@therealgigi7838]

Thank you I've always wondered but only heard stories about this. Especially Nile and croc monitors.

[@NinjaRunningWild]

Croc monitor bites are a LOT worse. They have scissoring teeth that slice & often need stitches.

[@anndoggette2195]

Just wanted to day, I love how you explain and compare reptile behavior. It's really helped me face my anxieties about bites. Your Sri Lankan python videos have encouraged me to work with my more unsocialized snakes. I just really appreciate seeing someone so down to earth, who has reactions, and keeps going. Makes me feel like I am capable of seeing things through. So, thank you!

[@sl81]

Hope your arm is better. Thank you for your content ( hurts a little bit - Sir you are admirable) You are so calm. 🫡 Those bites are nasty. I got bitten.... excessive bleeding.. bruise.... but the pain are real. Everything you say is very true. We need to adjust to them, understand and respect them. To learn their body language. They are soooo smart with time we can anticipate but each and every animal have their own personality. Monitor Lizard are the Best. Love the dinosaurs 💚🦖🐊🦎🐍🐢 Keep up the amazing work Love your Nile xo

[@SauceGuru2447]

Good to see you handing all this with respect 👍🏻👍🏻

[@StephanieDols]

Finally a video with good advise and explanation.

[@Tarras.Snake.Treasures]

As always, such a wonderful and educational video. You my friend, are AWESOME! Such great content.

[@YochevedDesigns]

I am loving your channel so much. No sensationalism, just plain truth. You could rename your channel "Integrity Exotics" and it would be fitting. I guess Niles wasn't in the mood for scritches that day. That bite was nothing compared to when Tom Crutchfield got his hand mangled by one of his monitors. (He totally blames himself, not the lizard.) Emily from Snake Discovery got bit by a little Dumeral's monitor and it held on for a full 15 minutes before she could get it off!

[@timbow1356]

This is super educational and well put together..Excellent content 😃

[@BrassManReptiles]

A great video covering a topic that so often gets hyped up just for people to oh and ah about. Sorry you got nailed, but of course glad it wasn’t worse, and you handled it like a champ! I remember taking a bit from my little 3.5 foot nile many years ago… not a fun bite, but certainly not hard to manage. I may have said more than “Really” at the the time though! 😂😂😂

[@IntrepidExotics]

I know right? That's my new-found zen demeanor, I don't get angry outwardly but was think "you little sum'a'bitch I feed you" 🤣🤣

[@BrassManReptiles]

@@IntrepidExotics 😂😂😂😂

[@charlesdoyle3630]

​@@IntrepidExotics Be thankful did not bit your nose lol

[@awilderireland]

He said... I'm not a good boy!! 😊

[@HammboneBob]

My favorite question is when people ask me if an animal bites. I just reply, "If it has a mouth, it bites."

[@Dovietail]

I bet the bruise was MUCH worse than the punctures. That's how it was when my normally sweet blood python mama confused "MY pinky" for "A pinky." 😆 The worst of it was her teeth got caught in my skin, and she started to panic because she tried to let go and couldn't. I just held her head in place while she was able to release 1 or 2 teeth at a time. Took about 5 minutes, and yes there was blood. But that's because of the coagulant that naturally occurs in her saliva. Hardly any damage in the end, and certainly no infection because the profuse bleeding cleaned the wound out naturally. Just a blue-green bruised pinky for days. And, yep, it was TOTALLY my fault. ADHD=HEAD IN CLOUDS WHILE CLEANING TUBS. 😊

[@Oldtanktapper]

I don’t keep monitors as pets but do live in an area (Queensland, Australia) where they’re just part of the wildlife. Our dog’s had a couple of “interactions” with big lace monitors and I’ve got to say that the teeth aren’t the bit to watch out for, it’s the claws that do the damage. One occasion needed stitches along the inner thigh, opened the flesh up down to the bone when she barrelled into one and it got under her. Looked like four parallel knife cuts.

[@Loki_Morningstar666]

I found your channel about a week ago and I've been binge watching it. You have so much helpful information in you are into a lot of the same species I am. Unfortunately I don't have the space you do right now. I currently just have a carpet python and a blood python, but I've always wanted a retic and if I ever have the space I will totally get one. It's hard to find good sources of information about them.

[@jwilcox]

I’m one of those friends. What amazing animals.

[@terrietime]

Great Video ❤

[@beenherebrforemurry6365]

This video is great . We use the same signs lol . We have a green iguana male rescue. Everything you said in this video I can relate too with our green iggy .

[@dadkingcoffey8333]

My little 2 foot AWM WAS A BITER for the first couple months. I learned quickly to not get excited..less damage .he is sweet now .we french kiss now 🤣🤣

[@susanmartin3762]

😳 OH MY stars! That was such a fast bite! That bite could have been SO MUCH WORSE!! Oh ... damn!.. I watched it again when you said you saw it but trusted him not to bite you. I saw the tiny change in his focus..I saw what he was thinking after you explained it. Like he didn't want you petting him the way you were. Nothing special that YOU did but... you could see him change his focus on you. Yikes!!😮

[@krittercandyexotics]

Do you have any tips or experience with Argus monitors? Im soaking up all info on them possible before Exotic Pets brings one in as a store pet.

[@Kellllppp]

Great video as always Tim. Question if you have time Hatching monitor came in, told it’s an ornate Nile monitor. After researching I’m seeing lots of folks say they are a bit less rowdy than the traditional Nile. But there’s limited info out there. Do you have any experience/ knowledge about ornates, and if they are comparable/ if most general Nile Info applies.

[@IntrepidExotics]

My understanding is that ornates are a sub-species of niles that get a bit bulkier, and I have heard that they have a better temperament but I've not a great deal of experience working with them specifically to give a first hand account. There again though, just like with snakes I don't think it really changes how we work with them as the basic principles all still apply, although some species will take more/less time to come around.

[@Kellllppp]

@@IntrepidExotics 100% agree. Thank you so much :) excited to work with the lil guy

[@rossrichards912]

That's a great video, alot of really good information. I've worked with a variety of reptiles for over twenty years, from venomous snakes, pythons , juvenile crocadiles and a variety of lizards/monitors. I got a bite on the finger from a lace monitor few years back with a bit of the hack saw action you spoke about and yep opened it up nicely. The other thing to be aware of particularly with arboral species of monitors is the claws and tail slapping (all species). Your right, totally my fault, I let my guard down for a split second and munch. Subscrbed and liked, keep up the good work.

[@heatherbrunner2165]

I like how you put it you don't want to break his spirit I have the same thoughts and feelings towards all of my animals including the horses why would you want to break any pets spiri ❤

[@NicholasMati]

W.R.T. venom, I've found that I can get a noticeable reaction from it, but only under specific circumstances. Backing up a bit, I just have ackies, so not a huge amount of breadth to speak from. Also, I have never been bit by an ackie because they were being defensive or aggressive towards me. The two bites where I got some memorable swelling from the venom were both from a particular female that I had just pulled off another ackie that she was trying to kill. After 5 to 10 seconds, she had calmed down, realized she wasn't going to get at the other ackie, and then laid into me, as if out of spite. The first time, my thumb swelled up about 20% larger in size and was difficult to bend for 2 or 3 hours. The second time was in my chest and resulted in a ~5 cm long welt with almost no visible puncture wounds that lasted a couple hours. In short it's like a mild bee sting. Interestingly, I've been bitten numerous times over the years during feeding because I use my right hand to give commands and they sometimes just decide to go for the thing that's moving, a.k.a. my hand. I almost never get any noticeable swelling from this. Also, I have a male that will sometimes get a little too frisky with my hands and draw blood. That also basically never swells. I think you either need prolonged hard chewing to get saliva into tissue or a very light nick that penetrates, but doesn't draw blood. If they draw blood, the blood seems to flush out the wound. Also, bites with the front of their mouth tend to not cause any reaction; I kind of suspect their venom is concentrated near the back of their mouth. I would kind of expect the bite in this video to cause some sort of reaction, but maybe everything from Australia is just more venomous.

[@sherryhall2587]

Kevin says a little mouth wash will get them to release. Just a few drops is all it takes because Listerine tastes so bad. I've seen it in a few videos with different keepers and it always works instantly.

[@IntrepidExotics]

I keep some on hand and have used it on retics, seen them ignore it though but in general if I can get to it I keep a spray bottle of brown listerine handy

[@Half-this]

Got a bite from my favorite Retic and I had the same reaction but now over a year later she still haven’t learned to trust me again

[@Penta_Proceed_GT]

please make more videos in the future

[@yesidtac7863]

Asombroso 😮

[@tommosher7774]

He smelled food he was thinking twiched a couple of times in deciding . just made to wrong choice

[@bnutz3k]

Yeeeouch! I think the most damaging/painful bite of any of my reptiles, by far, would be my uromastyx (and they're not bitey). I simply don't want to take a bite like what a monitor or a large snake could deliver, so I stick with what I'm comfortable with. Am I a chicken? Yeah, maybe!

[@kilakila992kilakila2]

No I'd say sensible😂

[@mlouism2minotti748]

Very good video., professional and informative.

[@MasonsMonitors]

Hello, I’ve been a fan of your channel for a while and love all your videos. I am by no means of professional and do not have as much skin in the game as you do, but I would like to say that I think I am pretty well-versed on seeing something before it happens. The behavior seemed all good and then a sudden spike of interest towards your hand Maybe it’s just me personally, but as soon as his nostril turned towards your arm I immediately felt tension and the bite that came after concurred my conclusions that I had a prehensile premonition when my lizard had flicked on me all of a sudden It seemed dangerous I have only been bit once by a Nile out of curiosity As much as I would love to say good reflexes play a vital role and not taking a bite it could actually jeopardize the bite even worse, but luckily my reflexes were on point Anyways, love the content and I would duly take notes

[@MasonsMonitors]

Update : I have just been bitten by my first ever squirrelly lizard ! My foolish mistake, thinking that I could transport him indoors with one hand while having a glass of lemonade in the other

[@davidsricker2338]

I agree with you that the environment of the Niles totally governs over there temperament I've gotten bit by my savannah my reticulated and my Asian girl comes with the territory..

[@ralphspiegl]

hi

[@jasmine0354]

Very informative video. I think I'll "pass" on any bites, thank you ! 🙃

[@donnamunday6749]

I have bitten by a dog twice, once which required stitches. The ER doc told me that bites are big infection risks. Is this risk increased when it’s something like a reptile? Or is it basically the same considering that all animals (including humans) have bacteria in their mouths that can cause infection? Can their teeth come out in you? Apparently that is a common thing with dog bites.

[@davidsricker2338]

I just do what you do I just talk to Sammy till she lets Go...

[@blanco1231000]

Hi there, Nile bite vs Asian water monitor bite ? Which does more damage? also would I be able to get either one with a 9 to 5 job ? I’m leaning towards the Nile I like the taming challenge.

[@IntrepidExotics]

The bites would be similar, and ya should be fine keeping with a day job, most of us do :-)

[@blanco1231000]

@@IntrepidExotics thank you. 🙏

[@Erica-PlaneSnakes]

I'm sorry but I couldn't help but think "Lyons and Tigers and Bears, oh my!" But seriously, most reptile bites are not as bad as they're hyped up to be. I got a bite and wrap from a 6ft Ball Python a couple weeks ago and my response was "Seriously?"

[@Erica-PlaneSnakes]

I know a 6 ft BP bite is not the same as a 6ft Monitor bite. I just thought it was funny we had similar responses.

[@vincentquattrocchi7924]

It sure looks like he was Sensing Food ,Flicking his tongue that fast.

[@leesreptilesandaquatics6368]

I'm sorry but that sign I have same one on my red iguana cage .since she looks like blue from jurassic world

[@matthewmonteagudo679]

I almost lost a pinkie to a 5 foot nile monitor 😂😂😂😂

[@matthewmonteagudo679]

Every thing with a mouth can bite ......

[@stevedingman474]

I have an Asian she’s big but she is a puppy , I believe she’d have to be hurt badly to get aggressive. She’s 26 years old . Yeah I’m 60 when I was a younger keeper all we could get was wild … or if your lucky could get wild born hatchlings … I love the African rock pythons but just now are able too be handled and are much more calm . But I thought I’d share the best way too make them or snakes let go ! Antiseptic throat spray … it makes your mouth numb well I had a 11 foot Burmese pythons struck at a rabbit 🐇 and missed it and hit me on my wrist and rolled up on my arm will I walked calmly and I was looking for something too make me taste badly ! Well one of my kids was sick with strep throat a week before so that spray was there so I sucked the snakes mouth and that snake couldn’t get me outta his mouth fast enough ! It works with anything with a tongue dog cat lizards birds I still keep a couple of bottles near my enclosures . It was my fault I had handle several rabbits and well i smelled like its food ! Only animal it hasn’t worked with is snapping turtles. Again feeding and one snuck up under the stirred up water and bang had my fleshy part of my hand and the spray didn’t work . But outta the water on a picnic table it took 5 mins to let go . I have kept venomous but no longer with kids and grand kids , and I’ll never put them at risk!

[@MFoster392]

It looks like he tasted something on your arm, of course i wasn't there though. I'm not commenting in a bad way just a thought :)

[@Kotti_TV]

I have a NILE RAISING HIM UP FROM A BABY HE VICIOUS SO I CALL HIM LUCIFER BUT HE GONE CALM DOWM ONCE HE GETS BIGGER

[@susanmartin3762]

I almost lost my thumb from a horse bite. I was brushing U-Rabi, our Arabian Stallion that was MY BABY. I was near his face and he just turned and chomped on my thumb! My nail turned black and fell off a few weeks later. It hurt so much. I have a permanent dent in my thumb nail and I was bitten in 1998!😮 I'm sorry you were bitten. Speaking of that, what's your take on the man bitten by his Taipan? From what I watched...Karma can be tough.

[@IntrepidExotics]

Arabians are definitely spirited horses! Used to ride some up north as a kid and the Arabs were always the most fun! The previous video I put out was on the taipan bite, tried to make it as positive as possible.

[@susanmartin3762]

@@IntrepidExotics Hey Tim! Long time no see. It was nice seeing you again. Sorry bout your boy chomping down on you. It could have been SO MUCH WORSE had he started shaking his head to tear a chunk outta your arm. Moving on to Arabian horses. People hardly see them or hear about them anymoren. Aren't they BEAUTUFUL? We had Cocoa and Rab... Cocoa was U-Rabi's son and they were both GORGEOUS! They were both Sorrel red with white blazes down their face and white socks around their fetlocks. I kept both of their manes braided. I did it for Cocoa at Play- days..but. (some people call them "Gymkhana") I'd comb it out in the morning of and it was all wavey and so beautiful. I couldn't ride Rab at play-days ( short version of his name) he was too hot to be around other horses. He was quite the ladies man. He threw some awesome babies. Cocoa mom was a cream closed Saddlebred! She had that amazing 5th gait. When I'd ride her it was like being in a rocking chair. Her gait not only felt good to ride but to watch her "walking" was something really special! Wow it's been a long time since I talked about my years of growing up with horses. Every day from the age if 5 until my folks split up when I was in highschool when I was 18..😞 I miss those days

[@caimacd]

Lol. "Really?"

[@Dovietail]

"Bite porn" is just so pathetic. Totally turns off most female hobbiests. We know "mine's bigger" BS when we see it. 🙄 Good of you to reastically share the good with the bad. I've gotten worse - a LOT worse - from a fox terrier puppy with those blasted super-sharp puppy teeth, BTW.

[@katiekane5247]

I had a Chihuahua get out of the muzzle and nail 3 joints on my hand in a nanosecond. Seriously infected despite starting double coverage antibiotics in minutes of the bite. Vet tech, happened maybe 20 years ago, still have some issues with those joints. Cat bites are often worse, I've had very few of those thankfully.

[@xturtlex84]

"really?" "Really?!" 😂😂 Yeah that's about it. I thought for sure you were going to at least drop a quick swear word or something.

[@Dovietail]

Me, too. 😂😂😂 Boy's got two copies of "the calm gene" for sure!

[@bmanz8117]

These lizards need to stay where they belong, in the wild. In Florida, you can't own one. Asian Water Monitors are solid as they are fairly calm when properly socialized.

[@IntrepidExotics]

You'll find zero respect for this ridiculous "leave it in the wild" BS here. Humans are slowly ensuring there will be no "wild" for these and many other animals.

[@michaelburton3322]

Thanks for the video but that wasn't the media. You tend to blame the media way more than I believe is warranted. Talking about the stories they cover, the exact words they use, their voice inflection.. The only thing I really agree with is when they are using stock footage that is not the same type of animal. Just wanted to point out that was not the media, that was a T.V. show.

[@IntrepidExotics]

Words have definitions, the fact that people can only associate words with the way their favorite political pundant uses them doesn't change that fact. TV, newspapers, magazines, newscasts, youtube channels, and hey...even social MEDIA is media. me·di·a1 /ˈmēdēə/ noun 1. the main means of mass communication (broadcasting, publishing, and the internet) regarded collectively. I call out misinformation where I see it, with the understanding that people in general typically could care less if something is true or not because honor is dead and everyone wants their opinions to weigh as much as the facts that prove them erroneous. I also clearly explained my rationale in the previous video to which you're referring for pointing out the dramatized manner in which it was presented, and yes, phrasing, word choice, inflection and emphasis can most definitely impact the message, especially in a society like modern day America where so many people are so willing to shut down their brains and be led around by their emotions.

[@GiaNt_TaLOn]

Tigers...in Africa 🤔

[@IntrepidExotics]

Pretty sure I dropped the note that tigers aren't in africa.

[@derrikbrown6281]

Where is your Asian water monitor?? Never see him anymore

[@IntrepidExotics]

He actually belonged to a friend, I brought him over for socializing vids but the guy was so chill that it was impossible to show working through bad behavior, he went back home. Would have loved to keep him I simply don't have room for another permanent monitor enclosure here.

[@cadirgemont5900]

"A TIGER ?!?! IN AFRICA ?!?!"

[@IntrepidExotics]

There's a note on the video that states there's no Tigers in Africa, lol

[@cadirgemont5900]

@IntrepidExotics I was quoting Monty python with the Zulu scene.. dude you opened the door I just walked through 🤣🤣🤣

[@IntrepidExotics]

Ahh, haha...love some Monty :-)

[@cadirgemont5900]

@IntrepidExotics yeah , love the video by the way very interesting. I've personally been looking into getting a female asian water monitor but just waiting on the community to adopt using QPCR or PCR tests to sex hatchlings.