No wonder Savannah Monitors get the bad homes

[infernalis]

This is your typical pet shop advice, too bad everyone believes it!

Savannah Monitor For Sale Online, Buy Now With UPS Overnight Shipping (http://www.reptmart.com/p-2526-savannah-monitor-for-sale.aspx)

DIET: Canned cat food and crickets.

HABITAT: Very large and sturdy cage with stout limbs for climbing, and a large, heavy water dish. Substrate of cypress mulch. Hide box or large, flat stone or bark for hiding. Temps 80 - 90F with basking area of 95F+.

[DeadlyDesires]

this is what i learned too... im glad i found educated people who helped me do the right thing.

[Mikoh4792]

Since you are knowledgeable on moni's don't you think sending them an e-mail or something telling them their care info is wrong would help? They have so many things wrong with their advice.

[infernalis]

Since you are knowledgeable on moni's don't you think sending them an e-mail or something telling them their care info is wrong would help? They have so many things wrong with their advice.

I have been asked that before. Everyone I approach either shoots me down, blocks me or begs me to stop going viral with the truth.

[SuperSleuth]

I'm curious (and too lazy to Google). What's the proper husbandry?

[DeadlyDesires]

Correct Savannah Monitor Care (http://www.savannahmonitor.co)

[infernalis]

too lazy to Google

LOL... ;)

"SuperSleuth"

Forgive me shaggy, been hittin' the scooby snacks again?

(Nothing personal, that just made me laugh, hope it did you too)

[Mikoh4792]

I have been asked that before. Everyone I approach either shoots me down, blocks me or begs me to stop going viral with the truth.

Yeah I don't understand, it should be easier to just give out proper husbandry advice.

[infernalis]

Yeah I don't understand, it should be easier to just give out proper husbandry advice.

Then allow me to elaborate. ;)

Simple economics. Who in their right mind will buy a $25 lizard when they know right up front that they will need to drop another grand by year's end?

Shop owners need to eat, they have bills to pay, SO.. rather than have a show room with only 4 cages in it illustrating proper husbandry, the shop would go broke before it ever started.

Even if they place a dozen into a cheap display, if they handed over a hard copy of my web site as a care sheet, the prospective new owner will walk out without buying the lizard.

Things like - it may never tame down, prepare for many large boxes of frozen feeders on your doorstep every few weeks, Do you have an 8 foot cage with 2 feet of dirt in it ready yet?, it may eat your cat, vets are clueless, they bite, they scratch, and let's not forget that electric bill.. Those words are sales killers every time. So the shops have no choice but to keep proper husbandry a secret.

Sluggish, lethargic animals are so "cute" since they have no fight left in them. it's sad really.

[SuperSleuth]

LOL... ;)

"SuperSleuth"

Forgive me shaggy, been hittin' the scooby snacks again?

(Nothing personal, that just made me laugh, hope it did you too)

Ha! I didn't even think about it! Usually I'm all about figuring things out on my own but I've had a very long and stressful day today. We're preparing for an Ohio road trip and it's been crazy setting things up.

[sweatshirt]

Wowzers. :( I've learned so much about monitors from this forum. This makes me sad.

[formica]

this is pretty much the info I found when i first got my Sav, and what I was told in the shop, I have since been back to the shop and spoken with the staff there about their advice, they seemed quite open and interested to learn more, i think it depends who is running the shop, they arnt all just interested in making ££

I dont think that there is some conspiracy to keep monitors sluggish and cute, that is taking it to far; we have to consider how difficult it is to find good information, when you are confronted with dozens of websites and books, all with (apperntly) excellent credentials, saying the same thing, it is not surprising that people are less inclined to be told otherwise

[infernalis]

I dont think that there is some conspiracy to keep monitors sluggish and cute, that is taking it to far; we have to consider how difficult it is to find good information

Never quite called it a conspiracy, that would indicate that the shop owners all communicate with each other.


The point I was making (and trust me, I have tried) is that when a place like this (and the hundreds of others like them) gets in a few dozen baby monitors, they need them sold fast.

If you told everyone who has the $25 to spend that they better have everything else in place before purchase, the animals would just sit there.

We are NOT talking designer morphs or even remotely expensive pets. In the varanid circles we call them "cheap imports" targeting the average buyer. The average buyer is not a varanut yet, so they are put off by the expense.

I have had more than one shop agree & seem interested, yet a year later they are still selling cheap Savannah monitors with these spartan recommendations.

[Lankyrob]

Wowzers. :( I've learned so much about monitors from this forum. This makes me sad.

This is exactly why i wont get a sav. It was my dream but i know i cant care for one so i just enjoy waynes pictures instead :D

[mdfmonitor]

I have been asked that before. Everyone I approach either shoots me down, blocks me or begs me to stop going viral with the truth.

Wayne many have followed the cause before!! Don’t lose hope just ignore negative comments!!

What worries me is how many keepers have given up with asking online because they’ll never be able to provide what is required!!

Maybe we should go easier on new keepers & except that they have bought the monitor & just try & make the best for the monitor they’ve got & cross our fingers that a bigger percentage live!!

[infernalis]

Wayne many have followed the cause before!! Don’t lose hope just ignore negative comments!!

What worries me is how many keepers have given up with asking online because they’ll never be able to provide what is required!!

Maybe we should go easier on new keepers & except that they have bought the monitor & just try & make the best for the monitor they’ve got & cross our fingers that a bigger percentage live!!

If I was any nicer, I would be making them dinner. ;)

[Toothless]

I agree that its frusterating how much bad information is still out there. I have been trying to educate the pet store in our area on proper monitor care for over a year now. The only thing they've done is raise the humidity in the enclosure a bit by spraying it a few times a day- better than nothing though as at least new owners now know they need a higher humidity. Before they were telling people they lived in the desert... or is it dessert...obviously they don't live in a cake.
I know one of the workers there bought one of the savannahs at the store last year, and all she did everytime I was in there was brag about her new monitor. I told her that she was killing it if she didn't have the proper enclosure (said in a nicer way of course :p). She of course didn't listen...two months later and I never heard a word about the monitor again...wonder what happened????:sad:

[mdfmonitor]

If I was any nicer, I would be making them dinner. ;)

How many courses!! :)

i'd like to know if the imports of these animals has gone down in the last few years?? are we making an impact on WC monitors imports is my question, or are new keepers just reading & staying off the forums!! :)

The shop i got my argus from must of had a dozen savs in around the time i got her, or has hard times reduced the sales? maybe both!

[infernalis]

Some folks are unaware, but I have been viral all over facebook.

I am seeing more and more big cages full of dirt, so the tenacity is paying off for the animals.

I also attribute slow sales to hard times, recreational cash is hard to come by for many, and as the word spreads about caging, gout and the importance of burrowing, I am seeing people postpone purchase.

[suz1000]

I use 2 heat lamps one 50 and one 100 should I switch to three 50s? Also I find it really difficult to keep the humidity and temp correct on the cool side with 130+ basking area I have it between 115 to 120 will this affect my monitors health/ well being??

[Toothless]

I use 2 heat lamps one 50 and one 100 should I switch to three 50s? Also I find it really difficult to keep the humidity and temp correct on the cool side with 130+ basking area I have it between 115 to 120 will this affect my monitors health/ well being??
If your enclosure is properly sealed and the substrate is correct there should be no problem maintaining humidity or a proper basking temp:). Sounds like there's a leak somewhere.
The basking spot should be between 130-150, any lower and they can't digest there food properly. Its best to use three 50 watts- that way you have a nice even basking surface temp (make sure you're measuring with a temp gun).

[mdfmonitor]

Some folks are unaware, but I have been viral all over facebook.

I am seeing more and more big cages full of dirt, so the tenacity is paying off for the animals.

I also attribute slow sales to hard times, recreational cash is hard to come by for many, and as the word spreads about caging, gout and the importance of burrowing, I am seeing people postpone purchase.

Viral sounds worring to me Wayne!!

i always send sav owners your way, you have a great set-up that is a great example of how to house savs. :)

i still like to know the import figures!!

[franks]

This is your typical pet shop advice, too bad everyone believes it!

Savannah Monitor For Sale Online, Buy Now With UPS Overnight Shipping (http://www.reptmart.com/p-2526-savannah-monitor-for-sale.aspx)

And it is 3x the price of all of the other savannah monitors: not to mention...

[franks]

Then allow me to elaborate. ;)

Simple economics. Who in their right mind will buy a $25 lizard when they know right up front that they will need to drop another grand by year's end?

Shop owners need to eat, they have bills to pay, SO.. rather than have a show room with only 4 cages in it illustrating proper husbandry, the shop would go broke before it ever started.

Even if they place a dozen into a cheap display, if they handed over a hard copy of my web site as a care sheet, the prospective new owner will walk out without buying the lizard.

Things like - it may never tame down, prepare for many large boxes of frozen feeders on your doorstep every few weeks, Do you have an 8 foot cage with 2 feet of dirt in it ready yet?, it may eat your cat, vets are clueless, they bite, they scratch, and let's not forget that electric bill.. Those words are sales killers every time. So the shops have no choice but to keep proper husbandry a secret.

Sluggish, lethargic animals are so "cute" since they have no fight left in them. it's sad really.

First off- nice to see you MDFmonitor.
Yes! Well stated. Hopefully, the future of Savannah Monitors will be captive bred babies for much higher prices and significantly lowered imports. Let the baby monitors stay in ghana to interact with nature and the people of ghana.

[simpleyork]

not sure on their care but I do believe I just saw some photos of some Sav's from GBU enterprises that were getting it on.

[infernalis]

getting it on is only a fraction of the bigger picture.

In fact, any monkey can plop 2 critters in a box and watch them bump uglies.

The next steps are the ones that matter.

[suz1000]

If your enclosure is properly sealed and the substrate is correct there should be no problem maintaining humidity or a proper basking temp:). Sounds like there's a leak somewhere.
The basking spot should be between 130-150, any lower and they can't digest there food properly. Its best to use three 50 watts- that way you have a nice even basking surface temp (make sure you're measuring with a temp gun).

You were correct I did have a leak I changed up the lighting and fixed the problem yesterday my wife said he was out basking all day after I made the changes. :) she was so happy about it sent me this picture

[mdfmonitor]

First off- nice to see you MDFmonitor.
Yes! Well stated. Hopefully, the future of Savannah Monitors will be captive bred babies for much higher prices and significantly lowered imports. Let the baby monitors stay in ghana to interact with nature and the people of ghana.

thank you for that franks!!

CBB i agree would be better all round! :)

[Toothless]

You were correct I did have a leak I changed up the lighting and fixed the problem yesterday my wife said he was out basking all day after I made the changes. :) she was so happy about it sent me this picture
I figured it was a leak. Mine was doing the same for a short time until I ran a hot glue gun along all the seams (thanks Wayne). Now I only have to dump some water on the soil once a month and never have to worry about the humidity- the water is mostly to keep the soil good for burrowing, not so much to maintain the humidity as that stays constant.
Check the whole enclosure over with a fine-toothed comb. You would be surprised at how easily humidity can escape. Weather strip the doors, seal the seams and make air-tight the holes where the light cords are. After doing this the humidity should take care of itself. I only check my humidity gauge once every week or two now since it never drops.