Help! A Male Sav - Possibly Getting One

[AjaMichelle]

Hi everyone

I have a friend who does some rehabilitation and rehoming of reptiles and he was given a young savannah monitor today.

The little guy is from LLL and likely born in March/April of this year.

I've been wanting to get a male savannah monitor but have been at a loss as to how I could do so. I didn't want to buy two juveniles and hope for the best. I didn't want to try to find an individual old enough to be sexed due to the gout risk. I haven't been able to locate anyone who captive breeds.

I would obviously ultimately like to house the two together once they're size matched and if they get along. But I need to make an informed decision.

What factors do I need to consider? This is best case scenario--- that I'm able to house a male with Liam (i.e. they get along well and don't require two separate enclosures). I've considered what would be required if they don't get along.

What kind of complications am I risking by housing a male and female together?
Any input is appreciated. :)

Also, does this sav look like a male?

http://i1171.photobucket.com/albums/r544/_AjaMichelle_/male%20sav/C7609EAD-2B4C-4CD1-825A-E71913189CFE-4536-0000029FC6C649F1.jpg

Lateral pattern
http://i1171.photobucket.com/albums/r544/_AjaMichelle_/male%20sav/8C1E73C3-A45E-468D-86E3-5896A4941A53-4536-000002A02AA54C1F.jpg

Nuchal scales/pattern
http://i1171.photobucket.com/albums/r544/_AjaMichelle_/male%20sav/59995E81-AAFE-4E16-B179-024D6383AB74-4536-000002A00D181E33.jpg

Head Shape
http://i1171.photobucket.com/albums/r544/_AjaMichelle_/male%20sav/8BBC0334-EAE5-4664-9A10-BF62C08831A4-4536-0000029FF0B54074.jpg

http://i1171.photobucket.com/albums/r544/_AjaMichelle_/male%20sav/F65E38F4-885B-4545-874A-300613B48FAF-4536-0000029FE3F99115.jpg

http://i1171.photobucket.com/albums/r544/_AjaMichelle_/male%20sav/81652E0E-195D-43CE-8F01-2A7A0C0243B2-4536-0000029FCDD143F3.jpg

http://i1171.photobucket.com/albums/r544/_AjaMichelle_/male%20sav/7E6348FD-7FD1-4555-9AB2-BA8F91C5AA34-4536-0000029FEA05D05E.jpg

[AjaMichelle]

Vent
http://i1171.photobucket.com/albums/r544/_AjaMichelle_/male%20sav/45312B02-4D60-4CC0-9DD0-877D65A8045F-4536-000002A023A3FD82.jpg

http://i1171.photobucket.com/albums/r544/_AjaMichelle_/male%20sav/E7261E50-B614-43DB-AEDF-F2D83C012BEC-4536-000002A01CE01E4A.jpg

http://i1171.photobucket.com/albums/r544/_AjaMichelle_/male%20sav/A939E775-4C5C-40C4-978A-F4574468C164-4536-000002A004D1FB3C.jpg

http://i1171.photobucket.com/albums/r544/_AjaMichelle_/male%20sav/EAC000AC-34C4-4BB7-A6F0-A7D180AE9773-4536-0000029FFDBACEC5.jpg

http://i1171.photobucket.com/albums/r544/_AjaMichelle_/male%20sav/6E37F6CF-6CD7-4510-9A9F-476A26E78391-4536-0000029FDD381B66.jpg

http://i1171.photobucket.com/albums/r544/_AjaMichelle_/male%20sav/F4960165-2B55-47CD-BC20-249D185778A5-4536-0000029FD6756392.jpg

http://i1171.photobucket.com/albums/r544/_AjaMichelle_/male%20sav/3F02D04D-ABE9-483E-B59B-195730CABDE8-4536-0000029FBFF3442D.jpg

http://i1171.photobucket.com/albums/r544/_AjaMichelle_/male%20sav/C8C2D315-441C-4192-81A2-DF3B36B42979-4536-0000029FBA53935B.jpg

[AjaMichelle]

My attempt at some hemipenal transillumination.

http://i1171.photobucket.com/albums/r544/_AjaMichelle_/male%20sav/246E7319-51C7-440F-8DB6-42AF1CC25187-4536-0000029FB2250427.jpg

[Pirarucu]

With those pictures, I would say it could go either way. But then, I'm not very experienced in sexing monitors by body features, so I'll be interested in seeing other keeper's opinions. HTI pic, I have no idea if you're doing it right or not, or if that's just a shadow or a single hemipene, so I'm clueless.

On putting monitors together, Pro Exotics has a long FAQ entry about setting up a monitor breeding group, which should be helpful.
Pro Exotics Reptiles, the Nation's finest captive bred Snakes and Monitors, your source for Infrared Thermometer, Temp Gun. (http://proexotics.com/FAQ2.html#15)

[BarelyBreathing]

I would say that is indeed a male.

The biggest things you need to watch out for when housing two animals together is health, stress, and aggression. You know how to watch for all of those, though. Just make sure he gets a proper quarantining period.

[BarelyBreathing]

Oh, and when you introduce them, be sure you have something available to separate them quickly if you need to. Your hands aren't going to cut it. I've had to drop cardboard in between two monitors before just to get them apart, then I remove one.

[Pirarucu]

Oh, and when you introduce them, be sure you have something available to separate them quickly if you need to. Your hands aren't going to cut it. I've had to drop cardboard in between two monitors before just to get them apart, then I remove one.^This. In fact, I would recommend doing introductions with a screen in between them at first, until they are a little more used to each other. I heard a story (Though I cannot speak for its authenticity.) of a male ackie taken to a friend's house to breed with the friend's cycling female. They made the mistake of throwing them straight in together, and the larger female quickly attacked the smaller male. I don't remember if the attack was fatal or not, but I'm thinking it was. I'm not saying don't try it, just that you need to be careful and go slow.

[AjaMichelle]

With those pictures, I would say it could go either way. But then, I'm not very experienced in sexing monitors by body features, so I'll be interested in seeing other keeper's opinions. HTI pic, I have no idea if you're doing it right or not, or if that's just a shadow or a single hemipene, so I'm clueless.

On putting monitors together, Pro Exotics has a long FAQ entry about setting up a monitor breeding group, which should be helpful.
Pro Exotics Reptiles, the Nation's finest captive bred Snakes and Monitors, your source for Infrared Thermometer, Temp Gun. (http://proexotics.com/FAQ2.html#15)

Thanks very much! :) I have read that FAQ before but had totally forgotten about it! :) It's very helpful.

I wanted to get two savannah monitors when I got my girl but decided to start with one. Now I feel like I'm ready for another sav and breeding isn't necessarily something I want to do, I just really enjoy savannah monitors.

Also, I held the light at several angles on the tail base, including perpendicular to those two suspect masses and they were always there. So I'm pretty sure that's no shadow.

I would say that is indeed a male.

The biggest things you need to watch out for when housing two animals together is health, stress, and aggression. You know how to watch for all of those, though. Just make sure he gets a proper quarantining period.

Woo hoo!!! I hope so!

I definitely know what to look for! :) The quarantine will be long. Liam is almost three feet and I want him to be pretty matched if they are going to live together.

I have a much better raise up enclosure now. It's a 150 gallon tank: 6 feet long, 2 feet tall, and 18 inches wide.

Oh, and when you introduce them, be sure you have something available to separate them quickly if you need to. Your hands aren't going to cut it. I've had to drop cardboard in between two monitors before just to get them apart, then I remove one.

This point can't be stressed enough! :) I'll be sure to introduce them properly and as safely as possible. I'll likely post all about it well before lol :)

^This. In fact, I would recommend doing introductions with a screen in between them at first, until they are a little more used to each other. I heard a story (Though I cannot speak for its authenticity.) of a male ackie taken to a friend's house to breed with the friend's cycling female. They made the mistake of throwing them straight in together, and the larger female quickly attacked the smaller male. I don't remember if the attack was fatal or not, but I'm thinking it was. I'm not saying don't try it, just that you need to be careful and go slow.

I heard a similar story. The male was killed. :(

[BarelyBreathing]

^This. In fact, I would recommend doing introductions with a screen in between them at first, until they are a little more used to each other. I heard a story (Though I cannot speak for its authenticity.) of a male ackie taken to a friend's house to breed with the friend's cycling female. They made the mistake of throwing them straight in together, and the larger female quickly attacked the smaller male. I don't remember if the attack was fatal or not, but I'm thinking it was. I'm not saying don't try it, just that you need to be careful and go slow.


I've heard the same story a few times, from a few different people, with a few different species.

I've even lived it. I have a male monitor who will go in and get the deed done, and then attack the female after they've finished. This is the one I've had to use the cardboard with. Both monitors were not harmed, luckily.

[jhinton6932]

looks male. if you have a female the risks are the same as with any monitor. improper soil options for her to nest will lead to death.

[AjaMichelle]

looks male. if you have a female the risks are the same as with any monitor. improper soil options for her to nest will lead to death.

I've been dealing with the nesting requirements already and will be, with or without a male so I don't think this will change anything. :)

Thanks for looking and offering your opinion! :)

I have decided to get him and am readying his raise-up enclosure. I really really really hope they get along! Rehoming him is going to be difficult if they don't.

[Gungirl]

I've been dealing with the nesting requirements already and will be, with or without a male so I don't think this will change anything. :)

Thanks for looking and offering your opinion! :)

I have decided to get him and am readying his raise-up enclosure. I really really really hope they get along! Rehoming him is going to be difficult if they don't.

If that is what you are thinking then pass on getting him. Only get him if you are willing to give him a home no matter what.

[AjaMichelle]

There is another person who wants him now and is going to take him if he doesn't get along with my savannah. I wouldn't even consider doing this if I didn't already have another home for him.

I meant rehoming him would be difficult because I'd likely be attached to him.

I appreciate your input though. What you've said cannot be overstated. :)

[Gungirl]

Ohh.. Ok then that changes it, My apologies for assuming.

[AjaMichelle]

I think your were right in assuming. :) Unfortunately most people don't look at keeping herps like they should. I had originally planned to just build another enclosure if they don't get along, but it turns out I'll likely have to move in a few years so I'm going to stick with just one giant enclosure for the time being. :)