Savannah caging Q's...Natural setups.

[Kyle Barker]

I have been reading articles here and there, and have read that in the wild certain populations eat a lot of Land snails, and Tenebrio beetles (i have both available to feed him). First, here is the basic layout of my cage. Retreat is 1/5 of cage high and 1/3 of the legnth. there are 2 drain tile type things on top for extra hidding and hotter basking, along with branches for him/her to fool around with. There is a large shallow water dish that he can fit into. The rest is dirt.
http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/504/464savcage-med.jpg (This pic was taken when i was building the cage, so i had to try and draw in some things)
So i was thinking of plant about 1/3 of the dirt with some sort of african weed (like dandelions or some other fast growing "pest" plant). Then allowing some beetles to breed, and also let a few snails go (for food not to let breed), and the plants would act as food untill the snails/beetles were eaten. I am still planning on feeding him crix and rodents, but i am just thinking he may feel more at home in a "natural" setup (i think this because he is a WC and really seems miserable in captivity, although it is getting better). Also i am not planning on keeping the soil wet, the plants will be naturall desert dwellers.This a good/bad idea?
Thanks for ANY help/suggestions.

Kyle

[tabastifur]

You have the right idea. The setup will look great I am sure. But remember that Savannah's like all other monitors, tend to destroy natural plantation and all other enclosure furnishings very fast. This is why when I feed mine, I remove everything from the cage.

Best of luck,

-Dan

[Kyle Barker]

Yeah everything in there is too heavy for him to move, the water dish is burried in the ground, and the sticks are screwed in. The plants i have linned up grow really fast (like a couple inches a day), so he can go right ahead and destroy them :). Can anyone think of anything wrong with doing a setup like this?
Thanks
kyle

[CornSnakeMan]

Not me it sounds perfect

[Kyle Barker]

great, i put in some plants yesterday, and have added the mealworms, but im still waiting for some baby snails. Thanks for the comments.

kyle

[snakemann87]

lol this isnt related, but kyle i just noticed your avatar, is that stewy from family guy. didnt they shut it down? But i agree, that is an awesome cage setup. looks to have thick walls too which is good for monitors

[Kyle Barker]

Thanks, the walls are only 3/4" but the cage was accidently dropped down the stairs when i was carrying it up, so im sure a monitor cant put it through much more punishment than that.

And yes it is stewy:) They took it off for a while, now its on teletoon at 9pm & 1am pacific, but they stopped making new ones :(

kyle

[Dom]

I persoanlly think he will destroy everything.. Trust me on this one .. simpler the better.. the natural set up is a great idea but I don't think it will work idealy ..

They are opportunistic animals.. they will eat or even gorge themself if they can..

I persnonally would limit there food and not let colonies of beetles or snails there all the time..

Just my though.. The simpler the set up .. the easier to clean and the more rooom u're animal has to roam..

[Kyle Barker]

Alright thanks. I will just put in a few of everything the. Makes total sense, but he does love his sticks.