New monitor (salvator)

[Kimmie]

Hiya guys I got a salvator from Houten.

I saw this little guy in a box with a little bedding sleeping and looking skinny and dried up, and got very sad by the display he only costed 170€ so I bought him right away.

I know he gets really big that is why I got a empty room for him when it comes to that, atm he sit in my big cage (gonna post pictures).

Now I would like to know he eats jumpers no problem, I now dusted them in hope of him to get better faster, now I was thinking, I put calcium water in his water but can I put vitamins in his water too? even if it gets a little white. Gonna show a picture, not the best since he was pooping on me while taking it :sorry:

I always wanted a salvator, and when I saw him being all alone like that I got sad, i'm not jumping into this with no idea, I have owned a lot of tegus and iguanas and other lizards and know how much time, food and space they need. Good I have a "rich" boyfriend :wacky:

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/ee518/Kimmie_Miichu92/T3_zpsd4ad1c56.jpg (http://s1231.photobucket.com/user/Kimmie_Miichu92/media/T3_zpsd4ad1c56.jpg.html)
http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/ee518/Kimmie_Miichu92/T2_zpsf2080229.jpg (http://s1231.photobucket.com/user/Kimmie_Miichu92/media/T2_zpsf2080229.jpg.html)
http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/ee518/Kimmie_Miichu92/T4_zpsff07a86e.jpg (http://s1231.photobucket.com/user/Kimmie_Miichu92/media/T4_zpsff07a86e.jpg.html)
http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/ee518/Kimmie_Miichu92/T1_zps6fa8d6d8.jpg (http://s1231.photobucket.com/user/Kimmie_Miichu92/media/T1_zps6fa8d6d8.jpg.html)


http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/ee518/Kimmie_Miichu92/S1_zpsf25137e1.jpg (http://s1231.photobucket.com/user/Kimmie_Miichu92/media/S1_zpsf25137e1.jpg.html)

I know some people will say it is stupid to buy a unhealthy looking animal, but I like to help those animals who seem to be left behind like my burms, I feel better than leaving him there to probably die from the bad owners. :sad:

[Pirarucu]

Sorry to be a letdown, but that cage will probably kill him just as surely as he would have died otherwise if it isn't modified soon. First off, bark is not a suitable substrate. He needs soil that he can dig burrows in, and he needs a lot of it. You need to give him a deep layer of loamy soil, as thick as possible.
I don't see a basking area, what heating do you have in his cage?
Don't bother putting calcium and vitamins in his water, the supplements on his food are plenty, and you shouldn't need them at all, really.

[Kimmie]

Sorry to be a letdown, but that cage will probably kill him just as surely as he would have died otherwise if it isn't modified soon. First off, bark is not a suitable substrate. He needs soil that he can dig burrows in, and he needs a lot of it. You need to give him a deep layer of loamy soil, as thick as possible.
I don't see a basking area, what heating do you have in his cage?
Don't bother putting calcium and vitamins in his water, the supplements on his food are plenty, and you shouldn't need them at all, really.

Thanks I will get soil as soon as I go to the shop, tho I had no problem with my tegu on bark, he is digged now and my tegu did the same, I will get soil tho, his temp is 28, atm which said on Water Monitor & Black Dragon Care Sheet should be 70-80. I live in belgium so my temp is different. I will just dust or leave them undusted if he don't like them then. :)

[Kimmie]

now I layed all the moss I had in there on top of the soil as a good humid to I get the soil and hide, he got two hides already so he got extras. Sprayed it all down

[Pirarucu]

I am assuming that is the air temperature, that is fine. But he also needs a basking area with heat bulbs, and it needs to be much hotter. The air temperature there needs to be 32-37C and the surface temperature needs to be at least 54C. Vital Exotics uses temperatures as high as 65C.

[Kimmie]

I am assuming that is the air temperature, that is fine. But he also needs a basking area with heat bulbs, and it needs to be much hotter. The air temperature there needs to be 32-37C and the surface temperature needs to be at least 54C. Vital Exotics uses temperatures as high as 65C.

okay thanks I will up it :))

[Kimmie]

and Pirarucu it is not a let down I like you tell what is wrong I will get the soil as soon as I can I now laid lots of moss on top to make him more likely to hide under that a sprayed it good to keep it very humid :)

[murrindindi]

Sorry to be a letdown, but that cage will probably kill him just as surely as he would have died otherwise if it isn't modified soon. First off, bark is not a suitable substrate. He needs soil that he can dig burrows in, and he needs a lot of it. You need to give him a deep layer of loamy soil, as thick as possible.
I don't see a basking area, what heating do you have in his cage?
Don't bother putting calcium and vitamins in his water, the supplements on his food are plenty, and you shouldn't need them at all, really.

Hi, it`s perfectly acceptable to use bark on top of a soil/playsand mix, it holds humidity quite well itself, it will also stop the soil drying out too quickly.

[Kimmie]

oki should I get both eco earth and coconut? or is one better then the other? :)

[murrindindi]

Thanks I will get soil as soon as I go to the shop, tho I had no problem with my tegu on bark, he is digged now and my tegu did the same, I will get soil tho, his temp is 28, atm which said on Water Monitor & Black Dragon Care Sheet should be 70-80. I live in belgium so my temp is different. I will just dust or leave them undusted if he don't like them then. :)



Hi, you basically need to know two temperatures; the lowest ambient (air) in the coolest parts @ approx. 24c, then the SURFACE temp at the basking site @ between approx. 50 to 60c.
The humidity should range between approx. 50 to 80%+ (the lower figure will be around the basking area).
Any water that the monitor can soak in MUST be heated to between approx. 28 to 32c, the reason being they may spend extended periods in there and you don`t want the monitor`s core body temp to drop too low.
There is no need to dust vertebrate prey, but inverts can be, and it`s important to gut load them before offering as food.
A rodent and fish based diet is appropriate, though obviously you should also offer invertebrate prey such as insects, crustaceans, etc.

[jpsteele80]

oki should I get both eco earth and coconut? or is one better then the other? :)

Neither one of those really hold a burrow, you need a sandy soil that when damp and you stick your finger in it, it will hold that form, also if that is the only light in that tank your going to need to ditch it fast, no way your going to get 120° to 130°F basking spot with that

[murrindindi]

oki should I get both eco earth and coconut? or is one better then the other? :)

Garden soil is good providing no chemicals have been used, you can mix it with some playsand/builders sand at a ratio of around 70% soil to 30% sand, it needs to be slightly moist and very well packed down.
I would suggest a layer around 20cm+ for the time being (plus a layer of bark on the top).
Can you tell us how big the present enclosure is and what type of basking and other heat/light bulbs you are using?
EDIT: It is most important you do NOT force handle the monitor, you must allow the animal to fully acclimate to the enclosure, which I can tell you may take quite a long time (many, many months).

[jpsteele80]

Having had water monitors before, cricket's and roaches aren't going to last long at all, mine was off them in about a month, eating hopper mice the next month and then like a month and a half later already up to rat pups, they grow like weeds

[Kimmie]

okay thanks will do :)

[murrindindi]

Having had water monitors before, cricket's and roaches aren't going to last long at all, mine was off them in about a month, eating hopper mice the next month and then like a month and a half later already up to rat pups, they grow like weeds

Hi, mine has never eaten an insect of any description (not for the want of trying), from day one he would only take rodents and fish (plus crustaceans).

[Kimmie]

i'm using ReptiSun as lightning at the top, as wide as the cage it is 130cm :)

[Kimmie]

If I have to get a basking spot I will move him into the terrarium up stairs where there is basking spot, but in this one he has heating for his belly which Cookie loved, I will move my friend's bearded into another cage for him :)

[jpsteele80]

Hi, mine has never eaten an insect of any description (not for the want of trying), from day one he would only take rodents and fish (plus crustaceans).

Most are like like, I only had mine on them from the beginning because the pet shop had him eating them, lost interest in them real fast, insect are really only for the smaller guys like ackies. (Which is going to be my next set of monitors when I get more) easier to take care of, don't need a monstrous cage that takes up all of your room, cheaper to feed. Plus I think they just have more character.

[jpsteele80]

i'm using ReptiSun as lightning at the top, as wide as the cage it is 130cm :)

Is that the only light you have in that cage, the one pointing sideways?

[Kimmie]

Is that the only light you have in that cage, the one pointing sideways?

no that is my heating lamp ^^

[murrindindi]

If I have to get a basking spot I will move him into the terrarium up stairs where there is basking spot, but in this one he has heating for his belly which Cookie loved, I will move my friend's bearded into another cage for him :)

Here is a photo of my Water monitor's basking site to give you an idea of what you need to provide...

http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy350/murrindindi/100_1202.jpg

[jpsteele80]

no that is my heating lamp ^^

Ok, your still going to need a basking spot of 120 to 130°F for him to bask on, monitors have a super Hugh metabolism rate and need that heat ( remember that's a basking temp to cage temps)

[Pirarucu]

Hi, it`s perfectly acceptable to use bark on top of a soil/playsand mix, it holds humidity quite well itself, it will also stop the soil drying out too quickly.I was saying that bark alone is not a suitable substrate, of course it is fine as long as there is soil under it.

[Kimmie]

Ok, your still going to need a basking spot of 120 to 130°F for him to bask on, monitors have a super Hugh metabolism rate and need that heat ( remember that's a basking temp to cage temps)

oki I will look at the shop for it with the soil :)

[jpsteele80]

Not sure how things are where you are but they don't sell soil in pet shops in the states, we have to go out and dig it up, it's better to dig it up then getting a soil from a home depot and adding sand to it, in nature it's already mixed together :D

[Kimmie]

Not sure how things are where you are but they don't sell soil in pet shops in the states, we have to go out and dig it up, it's better to dig it up then getting a soil from a home depot and adding sand to it, in nature it's already mixed together :D

I have soil here even garden soil in bags but is that safe to use?

[Kera]

In reptile stores by me they sell soil...

[jpsteele80]

I have soil here even garden soil in bags but is that safe to use?

It's ok as long as it doesn't have any type of fertilizers in it, has to be plain soil no additives

[jpsteele80]

In reptile stores by me they sell soil...

You talking about eco earth or coco husk?

[Kimmie]

so I should just go out and dig some up?, im just afraid he will eat it or get it in his eyes lol XD

[Kimmie]

what about if I buy eco earth and put some sand in there would that be good?, my garden is old im abit afraid of using the dirt there I dont know where it have been lol

[jpsteele80]

Eco earth mixed with sand doesn't really hold form very well, I always just went out and dug up soil, don't worry about them getting it in there eyes, there incredibly smart animals, sometimes almost to smart, I have to ask is this your first monitor?

[Kimmie]

Eco earth mixed with sand doesn't really hold form very well, I always just went out and dug up soil, don't worry about them getting it in there eyes, there incredibly smart animals, sometimes almost to smart, I have to ask is this your first monitor?

No I have had 4 tegus, 2 aguis, 3 bearded and 3 iguanas ^^

[jpsteele80]

No I have had 4 tegus, 2 aguis, 3 bearded and 3 iguanas ^^

Tegus, bearded and iguanas are not monitors, if you don't have the husbandry right for a monitor they will go downhill fast, hope your prepared to have a tank a minimum of 8x4x4 that weighs close to 2 to 3 thousand pounds, a monitor will out eat a snake 10 to 1, full grown he will eat 3 to 4 jumbo rats on Monday and be ready to do it again wednesday, they command a lot more of your time, constantly digging and messing things up, don't ever plan on having a pretty cage, I must have changed that water in my waters tank 3 or 4 times a day, they love to do there business in there lol

[Kimmie]

yea I know I never had a plant in any of my terrarium as my animals got bigger after having a tegu u will know how messy messy is lol, I work at a butcher so I get lots of free meat each week and got a huge freezer full of rats, mice, chicks of any size :)

[jpsteele80]

When I had my monitors I bred my own rats, best decision I ever made, they eat and eat and eat, I'd stay with the proven diet, I've seen where people feed them salmon and other things and get to where they only want that (doesn't happen to often but it does happen)

[Kimmie]

When I had my monitors I bred my own rats, best decision I ever made, they eat and eat and eat, I'd stay with the proven diet, I've seen where people feed them salmon and other things and get to where they only want that (doesn't happen to often but it does happen)

okay thanks I will keep that in mind :)

[jpsteele80]

okay thanks I will keep that in mind :)

Just a few pointers, obviously you know they stink, and the won't breed in hot weather, other than that there pretty simple

[Kimmie]

Just a few pointers, obviously you know they stink, and the won't breed in hot weather, other than that there pretty simple

okay thanks :D

[murrindindi]

Tegus, bearded and iguanas are not monitors, if you don't have the husbandry right for a monitor they will go downhill fast, hope your prepared to have a tank a minimum of 8x4x4 that weighs close to 2 to 3 thousand pounds, a monitor will out eat a snake 10 to 1, full grown he will eat 3 to 4 jumbo rats on Monday and be ready to do it again wednesday, they command a lot more of your time, constantly digging and messing things up, don't ever plan on having a pretty cage, I must have changed that water in my waters tank 3 or 4 times a day, they love to do there business in there lol

Hi, I agree with almost everything you`ve said except the part about them going downhill fast if conditions aren`t too great. In my experience that is not the case, rather they can linger for a number of years which means most newcomers believe everything`s just right when it really isn`t. ;)

[jpsteele80]

True, that's usually the case with not having the humidity right, which is keeping them in what I like to call a beef jerkey machine (open screen top cages) they will last a few years slowly drying out, then when the eyes start sinking in they wonder what's wrong, at that point it's far to late to do anything about it.

[Kimmie]

so I update on the little guy, he got fatter and his skin have colored a lot more he looks healthier overall, I spray his cage 3times+ a day so I think that helped him a lot, he eats 2-3 jumpers a day so np there, I will try to give him mouses but everytime I open or get close he runs for the hills, so I will wait to he has gotten more used to me :), he sits every morning on his tree and looks around so we are getting there :)

[jpsteele80]

Glad to see he's doing better, it was 3 months before I got mine to crawl up on me, keep up the good work :D

[Kimmie]

Glad to see he's doing better, it was 3 months before I got mine to crawl up on me, keep up the good work :D

thanks I will do my best :D

[jarich]

Most are like like, I only had mine on them from the beginning because the pet shop had him eating them, lost interest in them real fast, insect are really only for the smaller guys like ackies. (Which is going to be my next set of monitors when I get more) easier to take care of, don't need a monstrous cage that takes up all of your room, cheaper to feed. Plus I think they just have more character.

My adult female sav still eats insects of all kinds readily. ;)

[murrindindi]

My adult female sav still eats insects of all kinds readily. ;)


My V. s. macromaculatus has never been interested in eating insects of any description from day one (not for the want of trying), it doesn`t seem to have had a detrimental effect on his health, he`s now slightly over 3.5 years old and as close as I can measure, 209cm ToL and 17.3kilos (approx. 38lbs).
This species will do very well on a diet based around rodents and fish/seafoods, of course other prey can be offered.

http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy350/murrindindi/004_zpsec508e53.jpg

http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy350/murrindindi/009_zpsfb8df3db.jpg
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy350/murrindindi/004_zpsedf22bdc.jpg

[simpleyork]

that is a beautiful monitor there!!

[Kimmie]

so beautiful, he now seem to have gotten tired of jumpers but love pinkies as soon as I get to the Expo i'm gonna buy some bigger ones :)

[Kimmie]

oh and which fishes can I give him? :D

[murrindindi]

oh and which fishes can I give him? :D

Hi, you can feed any whole fish, either salt or freshwater, if they are too big to swallow whole, cut them into pieces along the length so that each piece contains the skin, bones, intestines, etc, I mainly use trout for my monitor.
Of course if you can afford it for the time being while the animal is still quite small you could offer tropical fish if you can get them cheap enough (or a few goldfish if you cannot).
I must mention that it`s much easier to feed f/t (frozen thawed) or f/k (fresh killed) rather than placing them in a water container still alive. The reason being that if the monitor is still not acclimated to the enclosure, it can take them much faster without exposing itself for too long, so less stressful.

[murrindindi]

that is a beautiful monitor there!!

Thanks! Not to detract from the thread, but how are your monitors doing?

[murrindindi]

so beautiful, he now seem to have gotten tired of jumpers but love pinkies as soon as I get to the Expo i'm gonna buy some bigger ones :)

Pinky mice are virtually nutritionless for an animal such as a Varanid (especially the hatchlings/juveniles of the larger species).

[Kimmie]

Pinky mice are virtually nutritionless for an animal such as a Varanid (especially the hatchlings/juveniles of the larger species).

oki thanks, im gonna get him some different things, to see what he likes, he ate some pig heart but only one piece and then he stopped, gonna try some fish as soon as I get my hands on some ^^

[jpsteele80]

As far as fish, if you want to stick with better stuff like trout, salmon ect. that's fine, don't feed gold fish that's some of the dirtiest crap you can feed your monitor, personally I'd just stick to what works for a water monitor, mice then rats, occasionally fish. Just because you can feed it something and it will eat it doesn't mean you should, how often do you see monitors eating ground turkey out in the wild?

[Kimmie]

this is maybe a stupid question, but how long is mouses considered useless? I know pinkies are fat bombs but is it when they start opening their eyes that they are a good thing to feed? - I know mouses alone is not good but just wanted to ask.

[murrindindi]

As far as fish, if you want to stick with better stuff like trout, salmon ect. that's fine, don't feed gold fish that's some of the dirtiest crap you can feed your monitor, personally I'd just stick to what works for a water monitor, mice then rats, occasionally fish. Just because you can feed it something and it will eat it doesn't mean you should, how often do you see monitors eating ground turkey out in the wild?

Hi, either fresh or saltwater fish can be offered on a very regular basis (as regularly as rodents/other mammals/any other suitable whole prey). A few goldfish are fine. I have no idea why you suggest fish should only be fed occasionally?
Varanids in the wild eat virtually anything they consider food, "healthy" items or not.
I`d be interested is seeing a few pics of your Water monitor/s if you have any, plus details of age/length of time under you care, etc.

[murrindindi]

this is maybe a stupid question, but how long is mouses considered useless? I know pinkies are fat bombs but is it when they start opening their eyes that they are a good thing to feed? - I know mouses alone is not good but just wanted to ask.

When they have developed fur and are basically "self sufficient" the skeleton will have developed to a greater extent (in some countries they are known at that stage as "fuzzies" and "hoppers", etc). Pinky mice have not yet formed a skeleton (solid bones).
I`ve heard on other forums that they are "full of milk", making them very nutritious food for Varanids which is rather strange, considering they are extremely small ("full of milk"?), and Varanids/reptiles cannot digest (metabolise) lactose.
Of course there are reptiles such as small snakes other lizards that may get some benefit from pinky mice, usually they have a much lower metabolism, meaning they don`t require as much energy as most monitor lizards.
I believe you keep Tegu`s, a hatchling/juvenile Tegu might get some benefit from a few pinkies because their metabolism is lower.

[Kimmie]

When they have developed fur and are basically "self sufficient" the skeleton will have developed to a greater extent (in some countries they are known at that stage as "fuzzies" and "hoppers", etc). Pinky mice have not yet formed a skeleton (solid bones).
I`ve heard on other forums that they are "full of milk", making them very nutritious food for Varanids which is rather strange, considering they are extremely small ("full of milk"?), and Varanids/reptiles cannot digest (metabolise) lactose.
Of course there are reptiles such as small snakes other lizards that may get some benefit from pinky mice, usually they have a much lower metabolism, meaning they don`t require as much energy as most monitor lizards.
I believe you keep Tegu`s, a hatchling/juvenile Tegu might get some benefit from a few pinkies because their metabolism is lower.

okay thanks a lot that was very useful :)

[jpsteele80]

Hi, either fresh or saltwater fish can be offered on a very regular basis (as regularly as rodents/other mammals/any other suitable whole prey). A few goldfish are fine. I have no idea why you suggest fish should only be fed occasionally?
Varanids in the wild eat virtually anything they consider food, "healthy" items or not.
I`d be interested is seeing a few pics of your Water monitor/s if you have any, plus details of age/length of time under you care, etc.

I no longer have my water monitor but when I did have him he was under my care for almost 3 years,( before I moved and had to get rid of all my animals) and this isn't the wild this is captivity, Yeah they eat almost anything in the wild they can get a hold of but in the wild you don't know when your next meal is going to come either, and when I make comments about the fish like that it comes from people like Crusty who have been breeding monitors far longer than anyone here and I'll take his advice over anyone's.

[smy_749]

I no longer have my water monitor but when I did have him he was under my care for almost 3 years,( before I moved and had to get rid of all my animals) and this isn't the wild this is captivity, Yeah they eat almost anything in the wild they can get a hold of but in the wild you don't know when your next meal is going to come either, and when I make comments about the fish like that it comes from people like Crusty who have been breeding monitors far longer than anyone here and I'll take his advice over anyone's.


Hi Jp,

Krusty doesn't keep any water monitors. The biggest species he keeps are indicus as far as I know, and he doesn't keep the larger localities. I'm fairly certain that Krusty (Justin) would not say feeding fish to species that spend most of their time in the water is wrong. Please don't give people a bad name in order to prove your point.

[murrindindi]

I no longer have my water monitor but when I did have him he was under my care for almost 3 years,( before I moved and had to get rid of all my animals) and this isn't the wild this is captivity, Yeah they eat almost anything in the wild they can get a hold of but in the wild you don't know when your next meal is going to come either, and when I make comments about the fish like that it comes from people like Crusty who have been breeding monitors far longer than anyone here and I'll take his advice over anyone's.

No need to get defensive sport, I was responding to what you said, that`s all! ;)
As far as I`m aware, Justin (krustly) does not and has never kept Water monitors? And again, as far as I`m aware does not recommend feeding mainly rodents to them and fish only occasionally?
I mainly use a rodent fish/seafood based diet which seems to work very well.

[jpsteele80]

Perfectly aware that he mainly works with the smaller species, I think the biggest thing he does is argus monitors, I never said it's not ok to feed fish In general I said he said gold fish were no good to feed your monitor, not trying to come off defensive

[nepoez]

I believe you keep Tegu`s, a hatchling/juvenile Tegu might get some benefit from a few pinkies because their metabolism is lower.

Actually I give my tegu the same kind of heating as the monitor. The tegu is pretty much active all day long like a hyper dog! I'd say they have the same kind of metabolism, feed is full of food, the next day his tummy is flat again and hungry and scouring around again!

[murrindindi]

Actually I give my tegu the same kind of heating as the monitor. The tegu is pretty much active all day long like a hyper dog! I'd say they have the same kind of metabolism, feed is full of food, the next day his tummy is flat again and hungry and scouring around again!

Hi, if you do a little research I believe you will find Tegus have a relatively low metabolic rate, far lower than most Varanids. :)

[Kimmie]

Actually I give my tegu the same kind of heating as the monitor. The tegu is pretty much active all day long like a hyper dog! I'd say they have the same kind of metabolism, feed is full of food, the next day his tummy is flat again and hungry and scouring around again!

that is weird my tegu became the laziest reptile I have had after 2-3 years he eats bask and sleeps lol :p

[murrindindi]

that is weird my tegu became the laziest reptile I have had after 2-3 years he eats bask and sleeps lol :p

Tegus have a relatively low metabolic rate, they also rely mainly on anaerobic excercise unlike most Varanids that use aerobic. Simply put; Tegus do not have the stamina of many Varanid species.

[Kimmie]

Tegus have a relatively low metabolic rate, they also rely mainly on anaerobic excercise unlike most Varanids that use aerobic. Simply put; Tegus do not have the stamina of many Varanid species.

ah okay good then Cookie is just a normal lazy tegu lol :laugh:

[Kimmie]

So my friend came buy and took some fotos of him with her good cam :D

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/ee518/Kimmie_Miichu92/Sal1_zps7ecc73ca.jpg (http://s1231.photobucket.com/user/Kimmie_Miichu92/media/Sal1_zps7ecc73ca.jpg.html)

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/ee518/Kimmie_Miichu92/Sal2_zps49fb7f27.jpg (http://s1231.photobucket.com/user/Kimmie_Miichu92/media/Sal2_zps49fb7f27.jpg.html)

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/ee518/Kimmie_Miichu92/Sal4_zps8e663419.jpg (http://s1231.photobucket.com/user/Kimmie_Miichu92/media/Sal4_zps8e663419.jpg.html)

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/ee518/Kimmie_Miichu92/Sal3_zpsb2430a72.jpg (http://s1231.photobucket.com/user/Kimmie_Miichu92/media/Sal3_zpsb2430a72.jpg.html)

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/ee518/Kimmie_Miichu92/Sal5_zpsd36bd78e.jpg (http://s1231.photobucket.com/user/Kimmie_Miichu92/media/Sal5_zpsd36bd78e.jpg.html)

[Pirarucu]

Do you have a proper basking spot set up yet? It's urgent that he can get himself to adequate temperatures, otherwise he will have trouble digesting food and may not develop properly.

[Kimmie]

he get that tomorrow since that is when I go to the animal store. :)

[nepoez]

ah okay good then Cookie is just a normal lazy tegu lol :laugh:

Actually it's normal for tegus to be lazy on youtube, but I think if the cage is big enough and set up correctly he should be very active. My tegu is 3.5 feet(just started a big growth spurt after hibernating for 4 months!) and never stops moving until you fill him with food :) Otherwise he'll hyperactively move around looking for food all day! Maybe after 2-3 years he learned that there's no point in looking for food because the owner just gives it to him so why bother looking around?

[Kimmie]

so he now got his heating spot/basking spot which he have not used for the 4 days it have been there :p maybe he is a very very slow learner lol.

He now feed on hoppers which is great even when they are bigger then his head he pushes them down, so how many times a week should I give him those?.

Things I tried: salmon, beef, chicken, ground beef/pig. He take one bite and leaves the rest it is kind of a waste of food, why don't he eat more? :(

[smy_749]

so he now got his heating spot/basking spot which he have not used for the 4 days it have been there :p maybe he is a very very slow learner lol.

He now feed on hoppers which is great even when they are bigger then his head he pushes them down, so how many times a week should I give him those?.

Things I tried: salmon, beef, chicken, ground beef/pig. He take one bite and leaves the rest it is kind of a waste of food, why don't he eat more? :(


You answered your own question. If hes not using the basking spot, something is wrong with the basking spot.

[jpsteele80]

My adult female sav still eats insects of all kinds readily. ;)

A sav Is not a water monitor

[Kimmie]

You answered your own question. If hes not using the basking spot, something is wrong with the basking spot.

he just used it for 20mins but now is gone again, there is nothing wrong with the basking spot it is just like my tegu's Cookie, and he lays there everyday.

I guess just like people some animals like other things, he loves the heating rock tho, as well did Cookie when he was young :).

But I guess just like young tegus do he hides a lot in the ground.

[Kimmie]

but like my black tree monitor male only like mice, he seem to like mice a lot better than other things :/ atm

[smy_749]

he just used it for 20mins but now is gone again, there is nothing wrong with the basking spot it is just like my tegu's Cookie, and he lays there everyday.

I guess just like people some animals like other things, he loves the heating rock tho, as well did Cookie when he was young :).

But I guess just like young tegus do he hides a lot in the ground.


If he only likes mice, theres nothing wrong with that. Just keep feeding mice. I was referring to him not eating much. I wouldn't use a hot rock though.

[Kimmie]

If he only likes mice, theres nothing wrong with that. Just keep feeding mice. I was referring to him not eating much. I wouldn't use a hot rock though.

ah okay thanks :)

[murrindindi]

Hi, can you show a few photos of the whole enclosure as it is right now? Thanks!

[murrindindi]

so he now got his heating spot/basking spot which he have not used for the 4 days it have been there :p maybe he is a very very slow learner lol.

He now feed on hoppers which is great even when they are bigger then his head he pushes them down, so how many times a week should I give him those?.

Things I tried: salmon, beef, chicken, ground beef/pig. He take one bite and leaves the rest it is kind of a waste of food, why don't he eat more? :(

Hi, why are you feeding lean meat such as beef, chicken, ground beef/pig? You need to feed whole animals only, otherwise the monitor`s health will suffer very badly.

[Kimmie]

Hi, why are you feeding lean meat such as beef, chicken, ground beef/pig? You need to feed whole animals only, otherwise the monitor`s health will suffer very badly.

I only fed those items ones since he didn't like it tho im gonna keep feeding fish.

[mdfmonitor]

most monitors when offered the right conditions will do this this>

Argus Monitor Lizard feeding session - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdUEeaXBp6s)

i don't usually packed them up like this, but i just wanted to show that a monitor lizard that feels safe & secure & has the right temps/basking spot & the right humidity etc etc will do the above (well most will :) :) )

there was a lot more food taken that isn't shown!! lol