help on the sex of my sav / sitting in water all day [Archive]

scott1m

07-09-12, 05:54 AM

19808

19809

19810

19811

looking for a bit advice as to what sex this could be? there is not much of a hemi bulge as of yet but its only just a yr old it think.. its 27" long and eats very well.. the reason i ask is that its been sitting in its water bowl all day today and dont look like it wants to move at all, all temps is ok and was fed yesterday.
any help would helpful
many thanks
scott

infernalis

07-09-12, 07:15 AM

Current temps and humidity readings please. ;)

scott1m

07-09-12, 07:24 AM

Current temps and humidity readings please. ;)

hot side
basking 145f
air temp 95f
soil surface temp 93f

cool side
air temp 90f
humidity 58% (bit low)
maybes a little hot in there, ive knocked a light off in there to help humidity and lower temp a touch
cheers
scott

BarelyBreathing

07-09-12, 07:51 AM

DiscoPat

07-09-12, 05:39 PM

What is the humidity on the hot side? Both sides should have humidity. Also
My sav seems to be more active at around 70% humidity. He is only a few months old donut may differ.

Gregg M

07-09-12, 09:25 PM

Do don't have a cool side. I think that's part of what the problem is. Your basking temperatures and hot end temperatures are fine, but you need a cool side of 75F, 15 degrees cooler than what you have.

I agree but I would not drop the cool side to 75 degrees. There is really no need for it to be that low. Cool side should be low 80's.

BarelyBreathing

07-09-12, 11:03 PM

I agree but I would not drop the cool side to 75 degrees. There is really no need for it to be that low. Cool side should be low 80's.

I disagree, as I feel that cooler temperatures should be offered. If the monitor doesn't want to use it, that's on them, but I feel it should have the option.

Gregg M

07-10-12, 06:26 AM

I disagree, as I feel that cooler temperatures should be offered. If the monitor doesn't want to use it, that's on them, but I feel it should have the option.

For what though? when are savannahs exposed to 75 degrees? During their aestivation period? Varanids want to maintain a core temp of around 86 degrees at all times. What would a 75 degree temperature do for the animal besides slow it metabolism down.

Not trying to argue. I think this can make a nice topic.

infernalis

07-10-12, 06:59 AM

My cage don't have any spots in it much lower than the mid 80's...

It drops a little at night in there, but not a lot.

However, I observe the lizards commonly sitting on the rocks after I turn the basking lights off.

That indicates to me that even after it gets dark, they are seeking the stored warmth in the rocks.

The smaller one (female?) has even set up residence very close to the basking light.

From what I am seeing, these lizards like it warm and toasty.

AjaMichelle

07-10-12, 10:30 AM

What is the humidity on the hot side? Both sides should have humidity. Also
My sav seems to be more active at around 70% humidity. He is only a few months old donut may differ.

Knowing the humidity on the hot side really isn't important. In a properly set up enclosure, correct humidity on the cool side will insure the humidity won't be below 50% on the hot side.

The only parameters that one should stress over are

---The 130*F to 140*F SVL surface baking temperature.

---The 75*F to 80*F cooler area.

---That the humidity is at least 60% in the cooler area (but higher is better).

varanus_mad

07-10-12, 04:18 PM

I believe ive seen this chap somewhere else...

Out of interest how deep is your substrate does he have the option to burrow in anywhere?

scott1m

07-11-12, 03:53 AM

I believe ive seen this chap somewhere else...

Out of interest how deep is your substrate does he have the option to burrow in anywhere?

hi there, cheers for the replys
hes currently on 14" soil/sand mix (which is getting raised up to 20" this weekend as ive made new smaller doors) he has a few burrows in there but rearly uses them, he just seems to dig away then leaves them, though he has them from one side to the other, hes got a cork tube in there that he mainly sleeps in or he goes under his basking platfrom.. his in his water bowl now and has been doing it for a few days now, just in the morning thou but i feel somethings not right
Temps on cool side are at mid 80s and hot side is in check
cheers scott
http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=19818&stc=1&d=1342000259
http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=19819&stc=1&d=1342000292

infernalis

07-11-12, 08:50 AM

Enclosure looks good....

BarelyBreathing

07-11-12, 09:01 AM

Have you dropped the cool side temperature?

scott1m

07-11-12, 11:33 AM

Have you dropped the cool side temperature?

ive dropped the cool side to 82f n thats the lowest i can get with the bulbs im using (60w spots) so im gonna drop them to 40w, that should work better for me i think.
cant wait to raise soil level this week, cos he was diggin round and i could hear him at the bottom digging at the sides, so that will deff benefit it
cheers scott

Gregg M

07-11-12, 04:39 PM

ive dropped the cool side to 82f n thats the lowest i can get with the bulbs im using (60w spots) so im gonna drop them to 40w, that should work better for me i think.
cant wait to raise soil level this week, cos he was diggin round and i could hear him at the bottom digging at the sides, so that will deff benefit it
cheers scott

Your cool side temps are perfect at this point. No need to go any lower.

scott1m

07-12-12, 02:40 AM

Your cool side temps are perfect at this point. No need to go any lower.

cheers for the replys
do u have any idear why its been lying in its water bowl in the mornings? thats why i asked what sex it was, incase ive got a female and she wants to lay eggs, it just seems to go in and fall asleep for a hr or 2 then just carrys on about its business
I might set up some kind of nesting box in there but not to sure how to go about setting one up, is there any chance someone can help out with some info and pics on setting one up
many thanks
scott

varanus_mad

07-12-12, 02:44 AM

cheers for the replys
do u have any idear why its been lying in its water bowl in the mornings? thats why i asked what sex it was, incase ive got a female and she wants to lay eggs, it just seems to go in and fall asleep for a hr or 2 then just carrys on about its business
I might set up some kind of nesting box in there but not to sure how to go about setting one up, is there any chance someone can help out with some info and pics on setting one up
many thanks
scott

id tweak the humidity up and see what happens

Of course it could just be a bit of a weirdo and just like sleeping in its water bowl

scott1m

07-12-12, 02:57 AM

id tweak the humidity up and see what happens

Of course it could just be a bit of a weirdo and just like sleeping in its water bowl

humidity is up to 70% and goes higher sometimes, so thats been ok other than the other day
its deff a weirdo like but this is not something it normally does which is why im asking, its only started doing it the last week or so
cheers scott

infernalis

07-12-12, 03:00 AM

Any stuck shed anywhere?

scott1m

07-12-12, 03:09 AM

Any stuck shed anywhere?

maybe a bit but not much come to think of it.. well this shed seem to take a bit longer than normal, i bath it twice a week and it has a good soak
cheers scott

scott1m

07-12-12, 03:12 AM

it still seems active and will eat anything i put in so i dont think its ill.

Jay

07-12-12, 06:07 AM

it still seems active and will eat anything i put in so i dont think its ill.

So do a lot before they die.

Everything you're doing sounds great. Your cool side is now perfect.
After laying in the water does he empty his bowels?

mo9e64

07-12-12, 06:23 AM

scott1m

07-12-12, 08:24 AM

If your conditions are good and he's still spending alot of time soaking,there is a good chance he is ill,people mention that there monitors can and will eat till death,so that's not always an indicator of health.Sometimes good conditiond don't always cure preexisting conditions beyond our control and a qualified vet is required.Hopefully you have a vet in your vicinity with reptile experience.

hi there
id say he spends around 1/2hrs in the morning in his bowl before he goes about his business.. ( is that to long or just normal?)
ive got a reptile vet thats about 10/15 miles away from me, so ill have to get it book in just to check..
cheers scott

StudentoReptile

07-12-12, 08:42 AM

Is he defecating pretty regularly? If not, that may be your answer. Stuff going in isn't the problem; could be that nothing is coming out the other end!

scott1m

07-12-12, 08:50 AM

Is he defecating pretty regularly? If not, that may be your answer. Stuff going in isn't the problem; could be that nothing is coming out the other end!

yea the bowl is pretty much full of it everyday
cheers

StudentoReptile

07-12-12, 08:58 AM

Well, I'm with everyone else. Pretty much everything about your set-up seems right. Either your sav just really likes the water, or like Moe said, it may be some pre-existing condition and you probably want to consider a vet check-up.

BarelyBreathing

07-12-12, 09:14 AM

HOW are you keeping up your humidity? Is it stable in a sealed environment, or are you having to do a lot to maintain it, like misting often?

scott1m

07-12-12, 09:45 AM

HOW are you keeping up your humidity? Is it stable in a sealed environment, or are you having to do a lot to maintain it, like misting often?

hi there,
i dont really have to do anything to keep the humidity up, its normally in the 70s, ive never had to mist as of yet but i think something like that will be done soon cos the soil is starting to dry out a bit on the top.. the water bowl is nearly in the middle of the cage so the heat from the lights should b keeping the humidity right. down in the burrow is around 95%..
should i b misting on a regular basis?

dehlol

07-12-12, 10:00 AM

I wouldn't say your monitor int he morning soaking for 30 minutes and then going about his day is that unusual. I've had a few monitors in my time raising them that will just sit in water bowls every now and then. They never had health problems, they just seemed to enjoy it, on the other hand it depends what's going on around you.

We had a wildfire enter into our city a few weeks ago-my last monitor spent literally the entire time in his water bowl (unusual for him), as soon as it was put out and more contained he ventured back out and went about his normal life.

As long as conditions are correct, as in temps and humidity- than I wouldn't worry too much, a vet check wouldn't hurt, but I wouldn't worry too much.

BarelyBreathing

07-12-12, 11:08 AM

hi there,
i dont really have to do anything to keep the humidity up, its normally in the 70s, ive never had to mist as of yet but i think something like that will be done soon cos the soil is starting to dry out a bit on the top.. the water bowl is nearly in the middle of the cage so the heat from the lights should b keeping the humidity right. down in the burrow is around 95%..
should i b misting on a regular basis?

No, what you are describing to me sounds fine. I was worried that you ARE misting regularly, as the exchange of dry and humid air is almost as bad as humidity that is too low. Keep doing what you're doing.

mo9e64

07-13-12, 06:28 AM

scott1m

07-13-12, 07:34 AM

That's the thing about not knowing what is normal,i think Gregg is the only one here with longterm experience with Sav's so his perspective is important.To me 1/2 hour does not seem too long to soak,but i don't know.

i meant it spent 1 to 2 hours in the morning soaking, which is something ive never seen it do, so id thought id ask people with experience.

infernalis

07-13-12, 08:11 AM

i meant it spent 1 to 2 hours in the morning soaking, which is something ive never seen it do, so id thought id ask people with experience.

To me, sitting in the water that long does seem quite odd.

Even my first Bosc that was kept completely wrong never sat in his water that long.

Knowing that your cage conditions are proper only makes it more of a mystery.