Savannah **shyness**

[alphafem]

Ok I have read and do keep 3 side covered at all times, but my new Sav seems to be much happier when all 4 sides are covered. I indulge him for much of the day with all sides covered. And always when he eats. He doesn't seem to want to eat with me watching.

Is this bad?

Will it make him more shy?

Tips on helping ease his shyness?

Sorry for all the questions...

[pathfinder36]

Don't be sorry, the main reason for this site is to offer advice and tips to those who need it. I'm not a lizzard man, but you could PM or e-mail NicoleRussell, as she is the local lizzard expert. I'm not sure, but I think LdyDrgn may also have some tips for ya'.

[JuliusSqueezer]

Oh, this is about a lizard lol. I was gonna say...Kelly (savannahbabe) ain't all that shy really once ya get to know her. lol

It's not unusual for any reptile to be shy while feeding. ESPECIALLY the young ones. They know that it takes them awhile sometimes to get food down and they don't want to be caught off guard by a predator while their mouth is full and they can't defend themselves. It is probably that your sav still sees you as a threat to at least some degree. This will get better with a little time but you should respect the privacy for awhile at least while eating. Covering the whole cage up should not be necessary unless just while feeding. You might rethink where you have the cage though. If it's in a high traffic area of the house, you really should move it somewhere where it's pretty quiet most of the day...some place where you have to go specifically to see him. From your posts, I gather that you are very excited about your new pet and can't divert your attention from it any waing hour you are home. It's nice that he will never be neglected but you have to understand that he is a wild animal. there is no such thing as a domesticated reptile. So he doesn't share your enthusiasm and stress could end up being his downfall eventually. The best way to ease the shyness is just to be patient and very non-threatening when handling, feeding or whatever you do around him. Keep the kittys and dogs away. Don't cran up loud music around him. It is a gradual process. Don't expect some miracle technique to chill him out over night.

[alphafem]

Yes I am very excited. Since he is sick I am even more so. I am just trying to do anything to help him get better. He actually just got a new home today. Moved to a 40 long today. He is a little over a foot long. He is in my room, which is low traffic except when I go in the kids tend to follow. It's kinda weird when you go to look in on him he watches my every move. He won't move till you go away. Since he gets meds (from the vet) twice a day, we only get him out for meds, which he is handeling very well. He isn't trying to attack the syringe anymore. :P

Since we just moved him I have half of the front covered, the side and back covered as well. Before he was on top of a chest of drawer now he is very close to the floor. He seemed a bit freaked out by shoes.

I will try to give him his space. I don't bug him too much when I hold him he is still pretty small and underweight...There isn't much I can do with him except keep him firmly gripped in my hand. He seems to really like being held in a towel after he plays in the tub for a bit. Last week he slept in the towel for almost an hour. I didn't even have to keep a hold on him he was happy being all hidden.

He is young I don't know an exact age but the vet said she'd say no more than 6 months, but don't get her lieing about an exact age. :P

[NicoleRussell]

Again I agree with Brett----when I had one or two reptiles I think I basically wanted overnight results with taming. When you start to have a larger collection it's not big deal if an animal takes a while to chill out because you are so busy with everything else.
Give the animal time to acclimate---pet him within the cage---bribe him with his favorite treats and do things in his time not yours.
I have a cyclura who is now starting to act tame--I got him in Jan or feb (I can't recall now)...I gave him his space and lavished the time on my rhino instead --he came around, but it took longer. But he did come around.
Any lizard under a year (except a tegu) will basically be reluctant to interact. Yes there are definately animals that are exceptions but try not to stress if yours is not one of them. The more patience you show him now the better you will gain his trust later.

Good Luck.