something new

[t-dot]

two days ago i got a new savannah monitor 16 inches long , and it is a male i got him in a 33g tank ~! what size a tank should i use or a cage ? i'm using newpaper for the bedding ~! what is good to use ? i'll soon post a pic of of my setup~!

[672]

Well, you should get him into the biggest tnak you can, and for substrate use dirt. Newspaper is no good because they like to burrow.

[JeffT]

When he hits adult, you will need to build a 6X2X2 or even 7X3X3 tank. Also for bedding like its been said before, DIRT, use dirt for him. It holds burrows and moisture. Savs like to burrow and dig a lot so get a good 20 inches of dirt in there.

Ive never owned a monitor, this is just from things ive read. Im sure someone else will help you on this like V.hb .

[V.hb]

I think we should talk to the mods about locking a thread in place about savannah care/maintanance. I 'am sure some on this forum will be happy to contribute, and so will I.
Rather than having the same Q asked constantly, we can have a guideline to follow, and then questions to follow that. Maybe something where we have some permanent photos of monitor enclosures, and ideas. To avoid the constant revisit of the same topic :)

[Bartman]

Here is a thread i started a while back that is guarenteed to answer all your questions'

lol, this one should be locked...it basically answers every question!

http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=35763&perpage=&pagenumber=1

[V.hb]

I think if we had one, consisting of like 3 posts to cover everything, from enclosures, basic humidity needs, and substrate it would help alot. Considering it can also be applied to other monitors as a guideline.

[CHRISANDBOIDS14]

Agreed! I would be willing to help with an F.A.Q. for it. I had alot of questions after I got my savannah monitor. Hes gone now though(sold):(.

C.

[t-dot]

thank for the help what does it mean when huff and puffs that only happens when i go and pick him up

[DragnDrop]

Originally posted by V.hb
I think we should talk to the mods about locking a thread in place about savannah care/maintanance. I 'am sure some on this forum will be happy to contribute, and so will I.

Sounds like a good idea, I'll pass that on, see what I can do. :)

[V.hb]

t-dot, monitors dont nessecarily enjoy being handled. You're just harrassing him, and thats how he tells you to stop. They dont understand why we want to pick them up, and man handle them. Hissing is just how they react to us sometimes. You should buy Ravi and Daniel Bennets book on the Savannah Monitor.

[Bartman]

Consistant handling over a while will help get him used to be handled, but as v.hb said, they dont like it. I hope you realized this when you bought him :D Some will become dog tame and some will be complete psyco's, not usually though. My guy doesnt seem to enjoy handling at all but ive gotten him down to just wiggling and trying to run away, no huffing, biting or tail whiping for him! Just takes a lot of patience and work.

Good luck with your little guy!

[t-dot]

i reading another book sava and grassland monitors by robert george sprackland Phd but yeah for sure i'll have to find Ravi and Daniel Bennets book on the Savannah Monitor.

[t-dot]

hey me so happy cus he didn't huff and puff at me is that a good thing ~!

[crocdoc]

Bartman, that's not usually the best way to gain trust with a monitor. I usually leave them alone and do the usual (feed, clean, change water). Eventually they get used to you and THEN you can see if they are interested in crawling onto your hand, slowly graduating to picking them up much much later.

[likeal0stchild]

I taught my sav who the boss was when she would tail whip me and hiss n puff........I jsut scooped her up and held her firm but gently and she calmed down amazingly with in a couple months

[t-dot]

is it good clean ur sav after cleaning its cage like shower it down with warm water ? and wiping him nice and dry cus i think he likes that cus would stand on all fours and stratch from head to tail ~1

[t-dot]

Originally posted by V.hb
I think we should talk to the mods about locking a thread in place about savannah care/maintanance. I 'am sure some on this forum will be happy to contribute, and so will I.
Rather than having the same Q asked constantly, we can have a guideline to follow, and then questions to follow that. Maybe something where we have some permanent photos of monitor enclosures, and ideas. To avoid the constant revisit of the same topic :)

yeah we should cus not much beginners know much of savs guy's like me that for sure or just monitors ~!

[t-dot]

and if i used drit how offen do i have to change the dirt?>