Our Loveable Lizard Rocky
For our little man AJ's sixth birthday this past November we got him a pet. Now, it's not your ordinary pet — since we our renting our house, the landlord said we couldn't have a dog (which would have been our first choice) or a cat— so we ended up with a Monitor Lizard, For those of you who don't know what a Monitor is, it's not your typical little garden lizard, this thing will grow up to practically be a miniature alligator.
Now, how did we end up with this creature you ask? Aaron will tell you it was all my idea — but I beg to differ. I suggested that since we couldn't get AJ a dog, let's get him something small like a turtle or lizard (meaning something you could find in your backyard). I DID suggest a reptile as I wasn't too thrilled with the idea of getting any kind of rodent. However, Aaron thought my particular suggestions would be too boring. So, we thought - how about a Chameleon?
Well, it turns out that Chameleons don't live long and can't really be handled, they are too fragile. But we were already at Prehistoric Pets ready to buy a pet and then I don't really know what happened next... I think we asked for a suggestion and then somebody started showing us the Savannah Monitors. Next thing I knew we were picking one out — they even struggled picking it up out of the cage for us to look at and it proceeded to deficate all over the pet store clerk. But, the next thing I knew we were buying the $100 lizard along with a 40 gallon tank, substrate, lights, heating pad, water bowl, etc....
Needless to say when we surprised AJ at his birthday party, him and his friends didn't even know what to say. I do have to admit that we felt like pretty cool parents for getting what could possibly one of the best boy gifts ever!
So now, just over 2 months later, taking care of it is a whole different story. But, we're getting the hang of it... I think. First should I say that we thought we could keep it in the garage, but for those of you who know how cold it's been that only lasted a couple of days before we realized that wasn't going to work and moved him in to our living room. Now, it's not the stinkiest animal until.... it poops! Can I say eeeewwww - gross! And, I guess it's common for reptiles to enjoy going in their water... even grosser! So, that is really the main problem and Aaron and I seem to argue who's turn it is to dump out the poo water or clean the cage - not fun! I however seem to be the only one who isn't afraid of holding the thing. Actually that's not true - AJ has been GREAT with it and LOVES him so much! Aaron is the chicken... go figure!
And as for NO RODENTS... what do you think this thing eats... YES mice.... and who gets the mice to feed him... yep.... ME! But, I do have to say Aaron and AJ handle the crickets because that just creeps me out. I feel bad for the mice, but I can pick them up without feeling like bugs are crawling all over me for the rest of the night. We're learning what to feed it and are now attempting to possibly potty train Rocky.
Yes, you heard me, Potty Train a Lizard! We'll see...
So, for now we love our little lizard - he really is cool I have to admit and he is growing SO quickly! We seem to be taming him pretty well, which just requires petting and handling every day. Since he likes to go "you know what" in the water, we've taken the large water bowl out of his cage. Then, we take him out and put him in a tub of water, where usually he will go #2 pretty quickly. But, he loves to hang out in the water - and the funny thing is he likes to hang out under the water coming out of the faucet. And he apparently loves to be held in a towel after he's done with his "bath". HAHA!
Well, if you've read this whole thing I hope you enjoyed. Stay tuned for more Adventures with Rocky the Lizard.
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