Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I rescued a Savannah monitor from a horrible owner today. He is small only 9-10 inches. Living in horrible filth, no UVB, heat rocks, no basking site and was only fed every 1 1/2 - 2 weeks with 2 pinkie mice. I just got his cage cleaned, set up with non adhesive shelf liner a basking rock and UVB. I really need help on care for this guy.
I know they get very big and are carnivores but how do I feed him? and how much? what about supplements and temps? I have other reptiles but a monitor is new for me, I plan on finding him a new home as soon as I can as I do not have the room for an adult. I am research this species but since I need quick help I asked here. Thanks for ANY advice you can give. Oh, and are they normally nasty tempered? he has been hissing and peeing on me but hasn't tried to bit yet.

I would go to this site.
Savannah monitor care

Yeah! To put your mind at rest, a Savannah monitor is supposed to hiss and try to bite everytime you go and pick it up. They are not naturally tame, or any monitor species for that matter. I say this little guy still got a chance if he continually is hissing and trying to bite you.

For as bad conditions he was living in he actually looks pretty good, except for the missing toes for a bad shed. He didn't have any kind of a water dish. He ate pretty good last night which is surprising since he is so scared. I'll get some more dubia in him and take him outside later for some natural sun, don't worry, I have a harness.
I wasn't really planning on keeping him, I just wanted to get hiim out of that nasty home but it looks like he will stay. I really like him.

I wouldn't say a monitor is supposed to hiss and bite you. Granted its not good sign when the monitor isn't active but he doesn't have to be an angry hisser/biter to be "normal". Just because it is not "naturally tame", does not make it automatically naturally mean. I think many monitors will typically hiss when they are upset to warn you, then whip you, and if nothing else works, they will bite. Of course, there are ones that just love to bite whenever they feel like it.

But like you(waldo) said, it was living in horrible conditions so it was probably not very happy with humans and may take some time to trust them after all he's been through. Just don't force yourself on him and once he gets used to you and comfortable he will most likely chill out a little. Im sure you probably have been reading up on their care, but give him a hot(120-130) basking spot. Try to offer as large of a range of temps as you can so he can regulate his temps on his own. For feeding, you could use crickets, worms, roaches, mice, etc. You could probably feed him everyday if hes up for it....
Good luck.

Do not use HeatRocks