I have had Priscus about a year and to be honest I'm beginning to wish I hadnt bothered.
All its been is constant unremitting worry and stress, mostly unneccessary on my part, about this animal. He doesnt do what he's supposed to, he isnt friendly (2 minutes is about his limit when being picked up), I am covered in scratches and I am honestly at my wits end.
About a month and a half ago he shed and his personality completely changed. He used to come out and bask under the light, usually when I was in the room reading, and he'd watch me. After this shed he slowed down with eating and hides constantly, comes out every 3-4 days for water and food, sleeps almost all the time. He wedges himself back into his favourite hiding place and thats it for however many days, until he needs a drink again and then he wriggles his way out and takes 2 or 3 really long drinks and its back inside again.
The problem is where he is hiding he cant yawn and his breathing is starting to sound odd. His nostrils are completely clear but in the morning when he wakes up it sounds like there is a lot of goop in his mouth but because of where he is hiding he cant clear it very well. I am really worried about this but there is another problem.. every single time I get him out from there (under bedroom cupboard) and give him nice comfy sleeping box with a pillow - within half an hour he's climbed out and back under. I am not sure whether its the dust irritating him or something worse. I worry that getting him out will cause him unneccessary stress, if its nothing serious. When he comes out and walks around he moves fine standing up on his legs with his tummy off the ground. When he's out and walking around there are no odd breathing noises and he's not short of breath.
All his food items are supplemented except the eggs (if they have the shells on, otherwise I supplement too). He's not showing any signs of mineral problems (I had bloods done) and he's big and still growing, at least 2+kg, 32 inches long nose to tail tip and a 5 inch front leg. The basking light is a 10.0 reptisun coil with a halogen light/heat element providing the heat at about 155-117f. The room doesnt get below 75f
I have taken him out on the lead a couple of times when it has been warm enough, the last time he made a spirited attempt to escape, ended up under a neighbours car but I managed to retrieve him. Amazingly fast animal. I dont think I will be taking him out again, as there is no way I could keep up with him. I dont know if anyone else has noticed this, but after a long walk he seemed hotter at the end of the walk than at the beginning despite the sun and temperature being the same.
I am honestly at my wits end. I got him from a pet shop who delivered him by shoving him into my hand and legging it leaving me with the wrong caresheet (for a varanid) and a nervous animal with dry shed and a missing toe. I have done everything I can think of to try and tame him down, I am gentle with him, I talk to him, stroke him and everything other people have suggested on here just seems to make no effect.
Sorry for the essay but all the worry about this animal is actually beginning to affect my health..
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