Savannahmonitor.org

[jarich]

Hey,

I usually recommend savannahmonitor.org for any new keepers of savs, and I think most people do at this point. Im just wondering if anyone knows who put the website up? Its such a simple thing really, but so well done.

[crocdoc]

Im just wondering if anyone knows who put the website up? Its such a simple thing really, but so well done.
Yes, I do know who put the site up. He did it because he found himself (as many of us do) responding to forum posts with the same savannah monitor setups and problems/issues over and over again. Rather than re-invent the wheel each time by typing out the potential problems with petshop-recommended monitor setups (screen-topped aquarium, astroturf substrate, weak basking heat etc), he decided to put together a site to which we can all refer new monitor keepers. He's a really nice guy and put many hours into it, not for kudos or money but purely because he didn't like the idea of reptiles suffering in the hands of inexperienced keepers.

The last time I exchanged emails with him he was fairly busy with a new young child but reading this thread has prompted me to drop him a line.

[infernalis]

Yes, I do know who put the site up. He did it because he found himself (as many of us do) responding to forum posts with the same savannah monitor setups and problems/issues over and over again. Rather than re-invent the wheel each time by typing out the potential problems with petshop-recommended monitor setups (screen-topped aquarium, astroturf substrate, weak basking heat etc), he decided to put together a site to which we can all refer new monitor keepers. He's a really nice guy and put many hours into it, not for kudos or money but purely because he didn't like the idea of reptiles suffering in the hands of inexperienced keepers.

The last time I exchanged emails with him he was fairly busy with a new young child but reading this thread has prompted me to drop him a line.


Let him know, I point people to that site constantly, and have included multiple links at my "Chompersite" Chomper The Savannah Monitor (http://www.chompersite.com/)

[beardeds4life]

On there I read that there is no place to buy cages that will suit savs and you have no choice but to build one yourself. Why don't you just have a company build one for you i.e. reptiacks-they will build you any size cage you want.

[infernalis]

Considering the proper cage would take a forklift to get it into your house, I don't see where it would be remotely practical.

[savbill]

Hi all, I put the site up, and would be happy to answer any questions you may have.

My domain name registrar has the option to make registrations private and although I, too, have nothing to hide, I was surprised even back in the day how much of that information is ripe for telemarketing. When I received a telemarketing call some years back on my listed phone number from a domain name auction house, I changed registrars and have used private registrations since then.

I've indeed been busy with our now-three-year-old son, so I am actually only now revisiting the site's design and content. It has sat dormant for awhile, though apparently has still been of benefit. Although it seems to spark controversy on occasion, the site has been my thank you to the more experienced keepers who took the time to answer my questions, and change the lives of my animals (like Dave/crocdoc for instance). I really wanted to put something out there that illustrates you don't have to line the pockets of the pet industry to have healthy animals. Any time money is to be made where animals are involved, things seem to get perverted.

Anyhow, thanks Infernalis for the referrals as well, that definitely helps.

And beardeds4life, I am in Dallas currently, not too far from where Steve from Repti-Racks lives. He is indeed doing some wild things with custom caging, and he has made beautiful enclosures for animals like V. panoptes and V. tristis. When I saw his recent aluminum-based endeavors, I wondered too if he could produce something with aluminum and PVC that would be suitable for a Sav. The biggest obstacle I see is the sheer weight of the required depth of substrate. That's why wood works so well. But I have indeed updated the wording of the site this morning to mention some of these custom caging companies that are in existence since the last revision to the savannahmonitor.org site. We may have more options, hopefully. I know not everyone is a Bob Vila.

Take care,
Bill

[infernalis]

I know all about the controversy, I just took a bashing at kingsnake for recommending the site.

Oddly by people who think the physiology of one species is exactly the same as another completely different one, I bring up taxonomy, and FR has to shove his "success stories" in my face, yet he admits that he has no Savs.

These people think it is they (not nature) who can decide what is best for animals they don't even keep.

It is I who should be thanking you for having such an excellent resource available.

[BarelyBreathing]

These people think it is they (not nature) who can decide what is best for animals they don't even keep.


Oh, I definitely see that all the time, especially on another forum. There is one person in particular who calls everybody feeding their animals a natural diet "bad keepers" and even goes as far as saying that because they're in captivity, we have the responsibility of feeding them rodents because they are a "more complete" food source. At this point, I roll my eyes. My signatre for that website is:
[INDENT]Because I'm tired of repeating myself.

Rodents have been found in LESS than 0.2% of savannah monitor diets. ZERO.2. Sources: Bennett, Cisse, Bentley, Smith, Hans.

Therefore, captive savannah monitors should not be fed rodents.
To the creator of savannahmonitor.org-
Your website is really a great tool that I recommend every time I see somebody with a new savannah monitor, whether it's on a forum, or in person. I have printed out several sections of your site and offer it to anybody who adopts a savannah monitor from either of the rescues I volunteer at, and it is listed as a resource on the bottom of the monitor adoption application at one of the rescues. Thanks for everything you do.

[millertime89]

SavBill, I do not currently own a Savannah monitor, but perhaps as time goes on I will be able to properly care for one of these amazing creatures. When I first read Wayne's praise of your site I went over there and read every page and it seems very well put together and has loads of useful info.
Thanks for sharing your experiences with current and prospective Sav keepers.

[infernalis]

Looks like we are accumulating some sensible keepers right here, Hope it becomes a trend.

Anyways, they all say to buy Bennett's book, then contradict what's in it.

Moe was here for a while, but he got laughed off the board because he wanted to play FR stooge.

[SpOoKy]

@savbill...thank you, just thank you :)

[KORBIN5895]

Got it boss! Pm returned..... wasn't what I thought it was.

On a side note I was reading the website recommended and really appreciated the info. Truthfully I was Jus t reading here and there but can you place a young sav in an adult enclosure?

[infernalis]

Certainly won't hurt anything.

When I first got Chomper, I was only mildly prepared.

His first couple months were in a 10 gallon aquarium, I quickly built a 2 foot square wood box with a window, and again in two months time it was not enough, so I built a 2 foot deep 4 foot wide box, and by the end of his first year he had once again out grew his enclosure.

The next one was six feet wide, 4 feet front to back, and 2.5 feet top to bottom, and that didn't last very long either. Regretfully he got burned on his basking lamp, simply because the ceiling was too low.

so I would easily say, just start right out with the biggest you can afford to do, they are super hyper little creatures and will make use of the space provided.

Make sure it is sealed up good, when young they will climb up whatever they can to find a way out.

Chomper escaped once when he was 8 months old, and hid in a laundry pile for half a day before I found him.

[infernalis]

For the record, I also copy the foraging, I feed mine several small invertebrate snacks a day.

[KORBIN5895]

I have to say thanks! You two made me go back and read a couple of very interesting that moe was a part of. Boy did I giggle. I also learned loads!

[shaunyboy]

Looks like we are accumulating some sensible keepers right here, Hope it becomes a trend.

Anyways, they all say to buy Bennett's book, then contradict what's in it.

Moe was here for a while, but he got laughed off the board because he wanted to play FR stooge.

^^^^^
thats a really good point wayne,we have helpfull,decent,sensible keepers for just about everything on here

its become/becoming one of the best informed forums around

its a credit to you and jason mate;)

savbill
hello and welcome

cheers shaun

[infernalis]

Can't wait to see where we rank in the top 40 next year!

[infernalis]

Just keeping this thread alive..

The new look of the site is great.

[lady_bug87]

Sticky it!!

[infernalis]

been there done that. ;)

[lady_bug87]

glad I could help...? :p

[jarich]

It took me awhile to get through all the posts from when I was gone at the start of the year, so I just saw this. Wow, so cool that Bill actually came to say hi! Thanks Crocdoc, appreciate you contacting him for us

[infernalis]

The site has been down for days now.

[millertime89]

what happened?

[infernalis]

Don't know, I sent Bill a message.