Black Throat Monitor, The Best Pet Lizard? 

If you love reasonable unreasonable giant pet reptiles like this one, be sure not to miss the rest of our list of Five of the Best GIANT Pet Reptiles: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-NFEr_C-jWNE.html

Clint: "Before interacting with a Black Throat Monitor, you must become-" Me: "One with the monitor..."

They have such intelligent eyes, so aware. I really like them.

"You can always tell someone who owns a monitor because it looks like they have OTHER serious problems"-Clint's best joke of 2019

I'm constantly amazed by the variety of living organisms that like being pet.

“U can get away with a smaller enclosure until they become obese and die” I don’t if I should laugh or feel bad “U can always tell if someone has a big monitor because I it looks like they have other serious issues” 😅

He's huge and only a juvenile 😮 he looks huggable as long as you dont mind a few chest scratches lol

On Savannah monitors ..."until they get obese and die" LOL - pretty much sums it up On large lizard owners..."they always look like they have other serious problems" Get ready for people to think you cut yourself/self injure...when you explain "In not crazy, I just own a giant lizard," they look at you as if you are crazier than a person the cuts themselves! So true, so true. I really love your sense of humor! I don't always agree, but I always enjoy your show. Please maybe do a show on Ctenosaura iguanas, much more manageable than green iguanas...Green Basilisk are also an interesting lizard to work with

Eyes monitor: °° Clint: mice and rats and quils Eyes monitor: OO XD

Your mouth says “unreasonable”. But Oscar’s behavior when petted says “SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY!!!”

Monitors are awesome lizards. Definitely need a giant, zoo sized enclosure or an entire room for these beasts. Great video, Clint! 🦎👍

A further note, these big lizards really benefit from a bio-active setup. Just purely because the volume of substrate (more so than the financial cost) is massive to replace so just get a bunch of bugs to do the hard work. The type of plants you need will be trees and grasses (anything that is non toxic, but can cope with a massive lizard who will dig) and it might be worth waiting until they have settled on their burrow before you add the trees. It'll be like having a zen garden/sunbed room, except there's a 50lb lizard in there with you :D

I had a black throat for many years. Zilla was a wonderful companion though your right in saying they are expensive. He had his own room though he was often allowed out. They are extremely intelligent. Thank you for your video and for bringing me memories of a close friend and one of the best reptiles I have ever had. Zilla you are gone but never forgotten!

He’s so cute. When you were petting him he was like ‘yes, human slave. Pet me. “

I had a 55 lb Blackthroat, Mojo, in a large outdoor enclosure 26×18×10 with full landscaping and even a koi pond with plants and a waterfall. The enclosure was underwired with hardware cloth to prevent digging. It was built with cemented in 4×4s, 2×4s with 1×2 trim and hardware cloth. He ate everything from duck eggs to frozen or fresh rats, but his staple was ground turkey.

The Bentley and rolls Royce bit had me rolling 😂😂😂 Clint is too damn funny.

I love how you cuddle up to these huge reptiles and how sweet they can be. But then I watch an iguana video and you look frozen stiff, like your trapped in a room with a cannibal and are trying to figure out if they are feeling peckish(or an ax murderer). The contrast makes me laugh every time. I really love all these videos, because it really introduces animals I've never even heard of before. It's exciting to learn about these guys and the fact that you can actually keep these guys as pets(whether you should is another story) makes it more fascinating.

What a gorgeous boy. He's so calm and chill.

I love your overflowing positivity and humor! Even when you're saying negative or morbid things, you always sound so perky. 🤣🤣

"You can always tell if a person has a big monitor. Cause it looks like they have OTHER big problems". I just love that line.

Thank you for making your videos with a heavy emphasis on education and how to properly take care of all our reptile friends My entire family loves your Is this The Best Pet series so thank you.

One thing I would like to see included: when you say a critter needs a "small" enclosure or a "quite a big" enclosure, it would be great if you provided estimates. Like 8'x8' or 18"x3' minimum. Other than that, I watch each and every episode! Even when it is a critter I am never ever going to get (no matter how stinkin' rad you say it is).

I love giant reptiles I'm so glad you're doing them individually. I would love to see the Dumerils Boa one day. Great videos keep it up Clint you're stinking rad

Such a glorious beast. Definitely going to get an ackie in the future.

You're genuinely one of the best reptile channels out there, and I cannot stress enough how much your input has swayed my previous judgements about certain animals. Thank you for doing what you do.

Hi Clint, great video! 💜 Also, a video on target training lizards would be invaluable to your subscribers. Please consider 😃🙏🏼 Lastly, Clint’s no-frills quote of the day - “Savannah monitors need as much space but you can get away with keeping it in a small enclosure for a few years until it becomes obese and dies.” 😂

The black throat monitor actually seems like my ideal pet except for the money and the size and the money and the money

Oscar is really chill!! As always here's a list of possible animals to cover next African bullfrog American alligator Asian water monitor Axolotl Basilisk Banded gecko Bearded anole Blood python/ woma python Blue tailed skink Box turtle Budgett's frog Cat eyed gecko Chinese cave gecko Collared lizard Crested newt Crocodile gecko Cuban knight anole Dart frog Diamondback terrapin Dragon agama Dumeril's monitor Dune gecko False water cobra Fan fingered gecko Fat tailed gecko Fire belly toad Giant day gecko Green tree frog Green tree python False water cobra Horned frog Indigo snake Leaf tailed gecko Legless lizard Mata mata Mourning gecko Pacman frog Quince monitor Red eared slider Reticulated python Rosy boa Russian tortoise Shield tailed agama Tiger salamander Tiger whiptail Tristis monitor Veiled chameleon White lined gecko Yellow headed gecko

I love how you just hold him and pet him like you're an early 20th century aristocrat with his majestic champion show cat.

I almost enjoy the videos about unreasonable pets more. Your expressions and the language is entertaining and educational!

Would you be willing to do a future video on target training more in-depth?

My very very best pet was Nile Monitor. For 9 best years. It was even sleeping with me in the bed. I tamed it not to bite me at all. And it was very very aggressive to everyone, except me and my 2 cats. Yes! It did not ever bite or cut or slap any of my cats. It was just ignoring cats, as if they were a furniture. But my hands were cut to blood just always, when I interacted with my nile pet. And my legs...

Even if you hated reptiles and crazy pets, you could love these videos for the dry humor. Hilarious!

He's like the Mr Rogers of reptiles ♡

I watched this video months ago thinking I would never get a Black Throat. Now I have two lol. Thank you Clint for the informative video !

I keep my black throat in my second Bently.

Clint Laidlaw. President of Reptile Costco

One of my friends had to re-home a young Black Throat, and it was really vicious for years. It even gave me a scar as a relative baby. Luckily it did calm right down after about 3-4 years of hard work, which was good because it got to 8ft long and would have been very dangerous otherwise. Definitely not for everyone, as the other that came in at the same time and went to someone else didn't calm down as much, so I can't say they all have "great personality" so beware.

I am now wondering what the Asian Water Monitor score will be if he makes one

These are absolutely incredible! If only I was rich 😭

In germany we get reasonal lifespends out of savana monitors (like 17-20 years). But they are not cheap in germany. But Reptil.tv did a very goo video on savana monitors where he explains what they need... He went to africa to look how they live in their normal hebbitat (temriture, humidity, substrate and more) But back to your video... Its awesome keep on the good work :3

I've loved black throats but I don't have space or time to care for them properly. Cuties though.

Love when he just lies in his belly with just his legs splayed out. My man is chilling

Could you do a video on the target training?

Hey, Clint, thanks for another great video. I love these lizards and sincerely hope I can get to a place in life where owning some of these unruly Giants is possible. In the meantime, watching you handle these Giants and show them in a positive, loving light while still warning people away is awesome. Dying to see a reticulated python video!

Can you borrow Rex and do an American Alligator video? Obviously more of a warning video but still.

I have been waiting for this specific video for so long my life is complete!

These monitors are my dream companion. I've wanted a monitor since I was around 6 years old. And the blackthroat monitor checks almost all my boxes. Once I own a home (provided I'm financially able to provide for more than 2 humans) instead of renting that will be the day I start building a room for one. I may get a smaller one, but having had dozens of reptiles big and small, I'm fairly confident money will be the quantifying factor to pull the trigger. Such beautiful creatures. Thanks for this very informative video up close with this adorable guy. Would love to see him now 2 years later!

I love your sense of humor and depth of knowledge. It's informative but fun. The Jon Oliver of reptiles.

This and a Red Tegu are my absolute dream pets. I take care of both of those at the zoo and they're both absolute sweethearts. The Black-Throat is fully grown though and the Tegu is a female that I dont think is fully grown so I guess I havent interacted with a colossal lizard. But their personalities alone made me fall in love!

I respect your advice and i acknowledge i cant properly house a black throat yet but one day i will own and properly care for my future black throat monitor. It is my motivation to be career successful.

What we have here is my dream lizard, but I know I won't be getting one inside the next couple decades. When I can devote a room in a house to gigantic reptile enclosures, then I shall get one of these big cuddly monsters. Love your videos Clint, you're such a positive guy, wholesome lizard talk really cheers me up.

Definitely still one of my favorite lizards out there, I’d never consider getting one as a pet but they are just so dang cool looking

Awesome video Clint I love this giant lizard he's very well behaved for such a large lizard if only they were not so big haha I don't have the room

Can’t wait to see your silver plaque

I love all monitors, but Savannah’s have my heart. My Savannah is around 5. I have worked incredibly hard with him, and he is the sweetest boy. They don’t make terrible pets, you just have to be willing to work extremely hard with them.

Good thing I live in texas if I get one I can set up a place in the back yard (it gets extremely hot down here)

This is a dream animal

Lol love that monitor attitude. My little baby savannah monitor was mishandled before I got him and hated world. When I first got him he would huff and puff, death roll my finger, and tail whip. Considering he isn't even a foot long yet he's quite adorable when he's upset. Now I can pick him up and he'll eat off of tongs though, so great improvements.

I'm still waiting for that video on the greatest lizard of them all: The middleschool hall monitor.

I'm absolutely in love! Goals for 15/20 years from now when I will hopefully be able to keep one of these. What a beautiful creature!!

I'd love to see you review the truly giant commonly kept pet mammals, that are also the only animals that are allowed to compete at the Olympics. Yes, I'm talking about horses. I'd give a well socialised horse a handlability score of 1, unless you're already a fairly experienced equestrian, then they get a 5 (most of the time); they can still seriously injure you. Even experienced equestrians get seriously injured or die from horses every year. They are large enough for you to use them as a car or motorcycle, though, becasue before cars and motorcycles were invented, people used horses. Horses have in fact been used for a lot longer then cars and motorcycles. They don't have venom, though, meaning that most bites are going to leave you with bruises, but a not well socialised (or traumatised) horse that's really trying to bite you, can tear chuncks of flesh from your body. Their teeth are still their least dangerous weapons, compared to their hooves. Their very close relatives, the zebras, are capable of killing big cats in the wild. One kick from a zebra can break a lion's jaw. A not well socialised horse gets a 0 for the majority of all equestrians, as well. Upfront cost is a 0, you need to have at least 2 of them, unless you're renting an enclosure at a facility, and the enclosure you need is a house, and on top of that, you need LAND. Care is also a 0, they need to get fed multiple times a day, unless you live somewhere were you can let them graze all of the year. Be careful though, to make sure that you know the nutritional value of the grass on that land, or else they can end up with serious nutritional deficiencies, unless you're providing the right supplements. You also need to know the nutritional value of the hay (or dried grass) you buy, and potentially provide supplementation. You also need even more land if you're going to let them graze all of the year, if you live close enough to the equator for it to be possible. They also need a lot of excercise, and depending on the type of excercise, you might need to spend up to an hour cleaning them first. They also need daily, or near daily brushing, unless they're kept in a more naturalistic environment and don't wear rugs. If you're serious about sport, though, their winter coat might need clipping, and then they're going to need rugs (jumpers and coats for horses), during the cold season. Their hooves need regular care by a farrier, too, every six weeks if they're wearing iron shoes, and several times a year if they're barefoot. They don't need UVB, though, because they get that from the sun, but they need to spend hourse outside every day (that's what you're going to need most of the additional land land for). It's also recommended to let them graze outside during the season when it's possible, together with other horses, because it's one of the best things you can do for both their mental and physical health. Hardiness is 3, they're endotherms, and they can grow a thick enough coat to withstand temperatures well below zero. The reason they don't get a 5 is the risk of injuries from other horses, or accidents in general. Some of the most severe health problems in horses are caused by a poor diet, or incorrect training. Pretty much all horses need veterinary care at some point in in their life, and they also need vaccinations, regular deworming, and might also need the care of other equine health care professionals, such as dentists, massage therapists, or physiotherapists. If you live somewhere were they can't graze outside all of the year, or if you don't own enough land to provide that, they eat a lot. They also produce about a tonne of poop per animal a year, that you need to have a disposal plan for. Availability is a 5, but the availability for the right horse(s) for you is realistically a 1. You're going to need to look at a lot of horses to find the one(s) you're looking for. Even if you find a horse that's right f you on paper, the two of you might not like each other very much, and you want to find that out before you buy it. Temperament and personality is highly variable, even among individuals of the same breed. On top of that, you need to have a horse examined by a veterinarian before you buy it, to make sure that the horse you're planning on buying doesn't have any hidden, serious health problems. This means that you can find your dream horse, and still not be able to buy it, if it doesn't pass the vet check. If what you want is a Lamborghini, that's a lot more capable of killing you, and also need as much care as a human child, but also its own house, with additional land, then a horse might be the right pet for you. Don't forget, that unless you're renting an enclosure somewhere (the enclosure rent can cost as much as a low-income family's home every month) you will need at least two of them.

Clint I'm very interested to know what you rated Dav Kaufman.

He’s lovely. He looks so powerful.

I was looking at a black throat today marked as 1/2 off still $350.00. The personality of the little guy was great. I mentioned that you had done a video on Black Throat monitors to the people I was with. I remembered you saying they were very tamable and sweet guys. I almost bought it and started thinking Petco has to be wild-caught. Let's go watch this video. On the way home I get a call from the girl at the shop. (I have bought a few and was given a few reptiles from this store, I own 25 reptiles, 6 that are or will become 4-6' as adults. Just building a 6x4x4 for my tegu now). I regress, so she says I will give him to you for $ 175.00. I did tell her ok and then watched your video. I called her back and told her I am just not ready for another large guy right now. They get big fast and I need to have everything set for the ones I already own. He really looked so sad I don't have the time, while building all these enclosures, to bond with a lizard who doesn't know me.

next video: "Godzilla, The Best Pet Lizard?"

Loving the videos! It's cool that you are covering some of the more "Difficult" pet reptiles. Black Throat Monitors are one of those reptiles I really like and I am excited to see what else is in store for the future. 2.6 score is a little rough but it makes sense for a lizard like this.

Awww,ant he cute ,thank you for sharing him today.😊

they are very much docile and really love human interaction, my cousin has one and it would often cuddle with me when i come over for a night visit and hes a very sweet boy. i do believe if you have the energy and care for them they can actually make great pets next to a dog

Please tell Oscar that I love him. I know he probably doesn't care but he has such a sweet face.

He looks like he is enjoying the affection and attention Clint is giving him

He looked so happy getting hed pats

Heyy Clint!👋 Awesome video!!(: Question! Since technically birds are reptiles, will you ever do a bird video?🤔

Omg, he is just so precious!!! I am insanely and utterly in love with him!!! Will probably settle for a Argentine tegu but my God I want a black throat!!! I've had Savannah monitors for years but have always dreamt of the black throats. I was lucky to have a buddy who was a big dubia supplier and he gave me his culled adults.

you know those ear thingies on the side of his head, can they easily be damaged

Love black throat monitors they’re so chill when it comes to the monitor species

dave dunhams ..big boy rest his soul what a monitor he was and so well trained

it's head looks so freaking cool, really wish there was something like this that I didn't need to remodel my house to keep lol

Have you ever considered doing a video on reptile enrichment like target training? I would love to see something like that!

Finally, after three Years (i.o.w. since I watched this Video for the first time) I got myself an '22 CB BTM. Well. They're amazing.

Great content. Please do a video on box turtles as pets.

The monster size of a Nile monitor with the mild temperament of a Savanah monitor is a plus. They are expensive to buy, house and feed. This guy would need a room size enclosure for his essentials like substrate, hot basking spot food and water dishes and still need to brought out for exercise and enrichment.

"Cheaper by the dump truck load and your gonna go through that" probably applies to the food bill also. As a previous Savannah Monitor owner, I can only assume its worse with a Black Throat at full size.

I really love monitors they are gorgeous! I think if I could get my head around feeding them ( I don't even know if it HAS to be live food or not) but, I always watch your videos and am beginning to think I really want a monitor!

I have 2 black throats and their honestly the best best monitor I've ever owned

Could you please do a video on a bluebelly lizard that would be great thanks

Hey Clint!! Hope everything is going well..just want to thank you for these reptile vidios🤘

Congratulation on 100k you deserve 1 mil

New video idea for yah! I've actually got nothing topic-wise and just want you to use that accent for the entire thing no matter what it's about.😂

A black throat monitor strikes me as the kind of animal where to truly give it the best possible life you almost have to be Tony Stark level rich and live somewhere where you can just build a massive outdoor enclosure for it which circles back around to being rich.

Your vids are great, Clint!

Can u do a video on long Neck turtles 🐢 since I have three

Will we see a dumerils boa video soon? They remain my favorite snakes after yellow anacondas

Awesome video again clint! Can you do a video on a caiman soon? I'd love to see that.

what an absolute unit

In my opinion the best three lizards are. African fat tail gecko’s, leopard geckos, and uromastyx.

love the video Clint! yes i agree that people shouldn't get this monitor as a starter or if they don't know what they're getting into but pretty much all monitor species start out (not considering the tail) about the size of a phone, most of the time smaller. it'll be at least 2 years before it even grows to the size of the monitor you have and that's more than enough time with regular interaction to learn monitor behaviors :)

I'm hoping that you do a video for lace monitors soon. I've been planning on taking one off the hands of someone who doesn't seem like they're caring for it properly.

that's one beautiful reptile!

Jumping back 3 years as I binge some old content, the light requirements caught my attention. Growing plants you need a full spectrum light, they are super bright and provide a good balance of distribution as they're made for plants (cannabis typically where maximum energy & light spectrum is needed to promote healthy growth and crops). Have people from the reptile community used these lights or do you need to go with the older style lights? Currently I've got a high powered full spectrum lamp that puts out about 1000 lumens at maximum (adjustable) without needing to worry about bulbs and it cost me around $200 CDN. It's also a lot cheaper on the electric bill than filament bulbs.