Re: Not: why the long face? but:why the long neck?

[Dann Pigdon <dannj@alphalink.com.au>]

On Mon, Oct 12th, 2009 at 9:59 AM, B tH <soylentgreenistrex@yahoo.com> wrote:

> I can see where a large monitor whipping its
> tail could both sting/hurt and perhaps even
> break a bone, but a smaller one really doesn't
> pose much of an issue with its tail, does it?

The tail of a smaller monitor won't break any bones, but it *will* hurt like 
hell. It can be hard trying to 
concentrate on immobilising the bitey end if the other end is flailing about 
wildly. By immobilising the 
other end as well, you also prevent it from twisting it's body around so that 
the hind claws are facing 
you (which tend to be roughly at stomach or groin height if you're holding it 
while standing up).

The combined whirlwind of teeth, claws and tail make trying to handle a wild 
monitor best left to 
experts (of which I'm certainly not one).

-- 
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Dann Pigdon
GIS / Archaeologist                Australian Dinosaurs
Melbourne, Australia               http://home.alphalink.com.au/~dannj
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