Gravid or not?

[Dom]

Hello,

I was simply wondering if anyone could describe to me in as much details as you can as to how I would know that my Savanah is carrying eggs and when she will lay. If you suggest palpating .. plz be precise as to the "how"..

Thanks I really apreciate it

Dom

[SDSnakes]

The best person to contact about that
would probably be ravi. Im not sure
of his email but his website is
www.themonitorspot.com theres lots
of good info on there also.

[Ravi]

Hello Dom and everyone else

I just found this forum and see some interesting discussions going on...nice.

A gravid savannah monitor is most obvious. I know, I know, that doesn't help you very much so let me expand.

Female savannahs are usally much smaller than their male counterparts to begin with.

When she cycles she appears bloated for a period of a few days.

Once copulation occurs and assuming the eggs were successfully fertilized she will begin to expand in the abdomen.

The rest of her body will remain relatively the same for the time being.

Basically, she'll look like a football so it's hard to miss.

Approaching her last few hours before laying, her tail will start to lose some of its mass. She will lay soon!! (Assuming you've provided her suitable nest options.)

I hope this is what you were looking for, Dom. Best of luck and remember that what I described is what I saw and your observations may be different so just use it as a starting point and work from there.http://www.themonitorspot.com/pictures/sav/sav27.JPG

[Dom]

ok I have heard that several times from many ppl Ravi, I appreciate the help .. the only thing is It is not as easy as it seems if you have never seen a gravid savanah monitor b4.

The female that has been bred too shows no cycling at all but the other female that (to me does not seem like shes been bred too - never seen it anyway) is HUGE baseball size around. But she has been for at least 5 days now .. All my monitors are still eating as of yet.

My male seems to show interest only in one female and not the other.

Is there any way you can tell by feeling there stomach?

By the way .. I read your care sheets ans saw many of your pics .. Great job!

Tx for all the help

[NiagaraReptiles]

Hey Dom,

If you have any doubt in your mind, likely she's not gravid. Any gravid monitor is like a punch in the face compared to their regular size.

Also, assuming everything is adequate, nesting should take place 2-3 weeks after copulation (rule of thumb).

Best wishes,

[Dom]

Tx guys .. then, I have doubts wich means shes not gravid!

Thas a good way of looking at it..

BTW Jon K .. I saw u at the show .. u were at the PCPC table right beside .. I wanted to talk to u but u seemed to busy with the customers.. I was at the table beside..

Take care
Dom

[NiagaraReptiles]

I was told you were there, but didn't see you. Next time stop by and say hi :)

[Dom]

I defenetly will say hi next time .. U just seem busy!

tx for all the info man - u've been a great help in my cloud of confusion towards monitors..

Although I am more confused than before, I feal I learned more and realized I knew nothing to begin with .. lol

[NiagaraReptiles]

That is the first step in the right direction my friend!!

If nothing else, that is what I try to pass on to fellow Varanid enthusiasts, as I feel it is the starting point of the correct approch to Monitor Husbandry.


PS- I'm always busy, just bug me anyway :D

[Dom]

lol that sounds good!

[crochunter]

hey Dom how many monitors do you have? and what else do you have?

[Dom]

3 savs .. 1 large whit throated monitor and a water monitor wich is up for adotion if anyone is interested..

Tose are my monitors!

2 snow bulls, a pair of balls, a pair of coastal carpets .. 1.2 jungle carpets, 0.0.1 new guinea carpet .. a rock, a blood..

Thats it for now ..