big sav - Page 2

treevaranus · 06-10-05, 01:13 PM

Please keep in mind that these animals are reptiles, are ectotherms, and come from tropical/subtropical areas, where temps are very rarely below 80F.

By taking him out, and letting him move around a room that is 74F or whatever the room temperature is, his metabolism will slow down significantly(why most people call their pet reptiles 'tame' when they have them out and are handling them. The truth of the matter is, these temps are very cold for monitors, and not the ideal temperatures that monitors choose to stay in during the day. Most varanids choose to seek out body temps of over 100f during the day.

By taking him out, and putting him in a cold room, with no access to a basking spot, etc, you are only stressing the animal out and lowering its metabolism, making its choices for thermoregulation, not allowing it to get itself comfortable.

If you are going to do this, I would suggest having an enclosure with a front opening door, that has access to the floor, where the animal can return back to the enclousre when he/she so chooses to do so.

I only have one monitor that I allow to come out of his enclosure, and that is a male V. beccarii. I do not pick him up and take him out, I merely leave his enclosure door open. He'll climb down from the enclosure, walk around, search around, mark his territory(usually take a dump on my carpet), and when he gets cool or uncomfortable, he walks right back to his enclosure, climbs back in and goes bask, hide, sleep, etc- whatever he wants. He knows where he needs to go to warm himself up, after walking around the room(which is usually around 85F anyways), and he has access to it. He also does not spend hours out, only five or ten minutes.

Just my thoughts and experiences... People don't realize that room temps are cold for most pet reptiles...and they force their animals to remain out in these cold temps.

Cheers,

Bob

Lrptls · 06-10-05, 05:43 PM

thats exactly what i was going to do. i dont want him to have to sit out in the room for how long I want him out, i want it to be his choice. i really just want to let him out to get excercise. if i open the door and he doesnt come out then i wont make him.

kap10cavy · 06-10-05, 06:38 PM

I am getting tired of agreeing with you. hahaha
I have one lizard that I trust enough to leave the door open. She will come out and explore but never goes far from the cage door. Cleaning her cage is easy. If she goes out when the door is open, I know she won't stray very far. She has lived in this cage for 3 years and it is where she feels safe.
Now my argus and albigs have to be watched like hawks. They get out, they go on a rampage. If you've never tried to catch an adult male albig that doesn't want to be caught, you are missing alot of fun. Not to mention the broken nik naks, furniture, screaming cat, squawking birds and all the rest of the mess you get to deal with once it's caught and put back in the cage.

Scott

Lrptls · 06-10-05, 06:54 PM

yeah that sounds like ALOT of fun, sure wish i could help (eesh!) the only thing i have that sucks catching are ferrets and thats only because they hide some where i cant get to and fall asleep. i dont think id have a problem catching my sav if he decided to run about, poor guy has some bone deformities and walks all funny, never seen him move very fast at all.

Lrptls · 06-12-05, 09:47 PM

i would like to let my sav soak in the bathtub sometimes to help shed and stuff, how often can i soak him?

Lrptls · 06-12-05, 09:47 PM

ignore this

kap10cavy · 06-12-05, 09:51 PM

If you give it the right substrate and plenty of it, soaking is not needed. I give mine deep dirt and large water bowl. If I see them soaking, I know changes have to be made.
They only use the water bowls for drinking, filling with dirt and for some reason, use it for a toilet.

Scott

Lrptls · 06-12-05, 10:02 PM

thanks

Lrptls · 06-15-05, 07:57 PM

ok one more real quick question. what is the best temp for the basking spot and the cool end. thanks a bunch

kap10cavy · 06-15-05, 08:11 PM

Basking surface temp between 130 and 150.
Cool side in the mid to low 70s.

Scott

mbayless · 06-16-05, 12:11 PM

Hi,
As for soaking: its ok for the animals to soak sometimes. If they remain in the water more-so then it is probably too hot for them. Bosc monitors (V.e.) do not like ambient temps over 95F, and seek refuge when such temps are reached. White-throat monitors (V.a.) tolerate a little higher temp, maybe 100 F before they retreat - if retreat is not available to them, then alternative soak is....

Yes, both albigularis and panoptes are natural explorers and cover alot of ground in their wild to seek food, mates, etc...so of course in the house they will do the same - its all new to them and they love to explore/forage....it keeps their minds in good working order and dispodsition for 'memory' which a 'dumb reptile' is not considered to have but does....

My dog feces did not like the big albigularis' as they would hiss and one even tried to tripod at the husky once! She would bare her teeth, and move - except if she was on the counch them the lizard better move! They tolerated one another - even at meal times when they both got a rodent or two for a scooby snack....

markb