thinking of getting a savannah water monitor need some incite.

Ballchris · 04-17-15, 12:56 PM

Ok guys Im thinking of adding a savannah monitor to my collection been doing some reading on them, alot of other forums say there good even for the beginner as they don't get much bigger thank 4 ft and caresheet's thats iv read confirms there size, ok my questions are how big of a tank should i start with, substrate Im thinking cypress if no let me know, just some general info about them anyone that has kept similar monitors chime ini want to know everything I think there fascinating. thank you all for ur advise in advance.

SnoopySnake · 04-17-15, 01:07 PM

Savannah monitors and water monitors are two different things and require a bit different needs. This is not an animal that can be kept in a fish tank. They need very large enclosures with lots of soil to burrow in. No cypress, they need a sand/soil mix for substrate. They require very high temperatures and need lots of stimulation. Please, please, please think long and hard and do lots and lots of research before getting one. If you're serious about it, join a monitor forum and get more answers there. I'll let the monitor keepers do the rest of the talking here...

Ballchris · 04-17-15, 01:16 PM

ha i did call it a water monitor i was typing this while looking at water monitors, my bad im gonna edit so i don't look like a complete dummy, and I will most deinflty do my research always do and thanks for the advise snoopy on the cypress see this is why i come to u guys for advise.

Ballchris · 04-17-15, 01:19 PM

is there anyway to edit the title of the post god i feel dumb

jarich · 04-17-15, 03:23 PM

Just a simple mistake man, no big deal.

I cant remember, but I think its ok to mention other forums here. Just look up one called varanustalk and you will find all kinds of information to get you started. There is a section dedicated to each species, including Savannahs. As mentioned, the cyprus wont be a good idea. For a sav, youre looking at a recommended size enclosure of 8'x4'x4' minimum. If you can go bigger, then I would definitely recommend going higher too. They love to climb, especially the males. That height will also give you the ability to give them a nice deep 2' or so of bioactive soil substrate. Make sure to pick a part of your house that will support that much weight, so stick to the outside walls, etc. I could go on and on, but if you look up that forum both Wayne and I have posted care sheets for them that are 'stickied' at the top.

If at all possible, try to find a captive bred monitor. It can be tricky, but they are around. Or if not, possibly look on CL or other places for a monitor that the owner doesnt want. This time of year there are a lot of people who bought little babies and, after realizing how much it takes to care for them, are wanting to get rid of them.

Feel free to ask any questions you may have.

Ballchris · 04-17-15, 07:11 PM

when i put my reptile room together I tore the floor up and reinforced everything, and the never thought to look on cragslist. im still in the reserch phase itll be months before i get him or her Ill start to put everything together so when he comes home he will right at home

jarich · 04-18-15, 05:04 PM

Thats the perfect way to come at this; lots of research first THEN getting the animal. A tip of the hat to you sir. Since you have the time, go ahead and purchase this book here:

Mampam Conservation - Savannah Monitor Book

Its only $4 if you buy the ebook, and still a great bargain if you buy the paperback too. Its not often that you get to say about any species of reptile that this one book is the absolute best book on the animal, but that is absolutely the case here. There is no better book than that one. We have made some advances in how we do our enclosures since it was written, and I dont always agree with Daniel about diet, but its still the best information and I couldnt recommend it highly enough. It should be required reading before getting a sav.

Also, as its your first monitor, I dont want to discourage you, but make sure to be careful about getting one from CL. While I wouldnt worry too much when getting a young one, it can be a problem getting a 'second hand' or rescue adult monitor as your first. They are notorious for being able to hide internal problems until the very end, so if you dont know what to look for you can end up with an animal that has been treated poorly for years and has multiple internal issues. For instance, its very common for them to have organ damage or even failure due to long term low level dehydration, and not show much in the way of outward signs. But the stress of a move is enough to really bring it out and is often fatal. Not a great first start for you. With younger lizards, its much simpler to see if there is a problem in their behaviour, so thats a little safer bet.

Ballchris · 04-18-15, 06:06 PM

Thanks gonna get the book, I'll prolly get a baby that way we can build a relationship and I know for a fact that its been taken care of

jjhill001 · 04-24-15, 10:57 PM

I see you were able to decide to dedicate the space to a retic but any time I see someone consider getting a snake like that, or a lizard like this or an iguana is to say: make sure you REALLY want one. You have to make sure you take the effort to tame it otherwise it's not gonna be a fun pet.

Ballchris · 04-25-15, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjhill001

I see you were able to decide to dedicate the space to a retic but any time I see someone consider getting a snake like that, or a lizard like this or an iguana is to say: make sure you REALLY want one. You have to make sure you take the effort to tame it otherwise it's not gonna be a fun pet.

I do really want one, yes I was able to find the space for my retic and if this ban gets it injunction here in a few days I will be getting a female albino goldenchild tiger I Am not some 10 year old kid that as no attention span I am a grown A** 26 year old adult with a wife 3 beautiful kids and great snakes I do not need you trying to talk to me like a child. I may have not have always kept reptiles but I have studied them for year upon years. I have worked in a few pet shops that kept these giant lizards, I dont know much about them as i have always been a snake person, thats why I come here to get some advise not to told to make sure u want one i know they can live 10 to 20 + years. space is not an issue it is becoming one thats why next year I will be moving my reptiles to there own building. I have a good job I am smart as hell thank you Im srry to sound like a a** but you know sometimes u just need to say something. this is the building im getting it will be finished and become my permanent reptile home.

Ballchris · 04-25-15, 01:31 AM

my new building comeing in 2016 cant wait!!!!

jarich · 04-25-15, 12:50 PM

That whole building is all for your reptiles?! That's amazing. I wish I had that kind of ground floor space. Insulate the hell out of it and add some sky lights. Talk about a great set up. Just a thought, but they do make plastics that allow a higher percentage of UV wavelengths through. Its not cheap, but if you could allow them sunlight access that way it would save you tons on UV lighting and be that much healthier.

jarich · 04-25-15, 12:42 AM

What an odd thing to say. What does taming it have to do with the joy of owning such an amazing creature?!

Ballchris · 04-25-15, 01:12 PM

I don't know really, its 14wide by 16 ft long I can't wait I'm sorry I got defensive on here though. I have a big yad lol it will have its own heat and air unit as well

jjhill001 · 04-25-15, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ballchris

I don't know really, its 14wide by 16 ft long I can't wait I'm sorry I got defensive on here though. I have a big yad lol it will have its own heat and air unit as well

You don't need to get defensive but you are probably just as familiar with all of the horror stories as I am so I just do a blanket do not recommend overall to everyone to starting out with pretty much any monitor, iguana, tegu, smaller lizards that need WAY more space than one would think (IE water dragons), retics, snakes and lizards that have specialized diet requirements (IE Lizard eating vine snakes, ant eating horned toads).

I only do this because I care about the animal's welfare. Awesome reptile house by the way and subsequently removes any worries about not having space or dedication to their animals.