Monitor diet

[Havik2146]

*I understand this debate has gone on as long as people have been keeping reptiles as to whats the best diet. But after some research for preparing for salvator I came across a website that said pinkies are actually healthy for reptiles? any input? Also is there a big difference in feeding rats vs mice if so how significant?

second is roaches are becoming a phenomenon for feeding reptiles because they are almost twice as good as crickets plus they cant climb or smell and get bigger. Does anyone feed frozen roaches in the US? And if so where do you purchase? Any downsides to frozen over live? I dont see any personally

right now I plan on 5 to 8 roaches a day plus 2 mice n 1 chick. Alternating fish every third day instead of a chick and just roaches on sundays.

[infernalis]

With a good hot basking spot, you can feed almost anything.

I personally feed mice, rats, rabbits, chicks and roaches to my lizards and they have yet to show any signs of being fat.

I have linked the best guide to Salvator care published right here.

http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/varanid/96757-vital-exotics-water-monitor-varanus-salvator-care-sheet.html

[Havik2146]

Thanks for the info and link. I have it saved and downloaded on my desktop and tablet. Its almost my bible.

[formica]

the main downside to feeding dead insects, is the removal of exercise thru foraging and chasing live insects, this is a significant factor imo, captive animals should be given as much enrichment and exercise as possible

the figures produced by various studies suggest that a healthy diet should consist of 60% insects and 40% vertebrates - these where studies on exanthematicus and albigularis, there may be diffrences for salvator that someone can give you more info on

[infernalis]

Satiating a salvator with bugs is not going to be easy.

I would feed big hissers, But a water monitor could get the best exercise chasing bunnies around rather than insects. :)

[Havik2146]

Ok ill keep the excercise thing in mind. Its really hard to find frozen anyways.

[Havik2146]

The image of rabbits hopping along just popped in my head. Like a bambi scene. Then a 8 ft salvator came in a had some dinner. Yeah I dont plan on keeping insects around for long due to the sheer size

[Pirarucu]

Ok ill keep the excercise thing in mind. Its really hard to find frozen anyways.Not to mention you have to keep buying more if you get frozen... Get a colony of hissers started.

[Havik2146]

Yeah but salvators get so big that it becomes almost pointless to feed them insects thats why I dont want to start a colony. I thought about it already. Unless anyone objects to that statement

[infernalis]

Madagascar Hissing roaches are 3-4 inches long, weigh almost an ounce each at maturity, They are freaking HUGE bugs.

The downside, they can climb, so you have to be extra careful or the nymphs will escape.

I would just buy a dozen adults at reptile shows and feed them off as soon as you get home.

[Havik2146]

Yeah and no one wants loose 4 inch roaches running around the house!

[Akuma223]

Yeah and no one wants loose 4 inch roaches running around the house!

I've had it happen, not fun lol.

[formica]

Yeah and no one wants loose 4 inch roaches running around the house!


I dont want half inch or 4 inch running around tbh haha thats why only use dubias, so they cant escape....that said, I found a dead one in the corner of my bedroom yesterday, I cant figure out how it got there, really hope i just missed it when doing a clean up or something

[franks]

I dont want half inch or 4 inch running around tbh haha thats why only use dubias, so they cant escape....that said, I found a dead one in the corner of my bedroom yesterday, I cant figure out how it got there, really hope i just missed it when doing a clean up or something

Me too formica. I found a semi-live small dubia in the corner of my bedroom while cleaning last week.