Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What is a better substrate for a sav monitor? Soil (dirt) or crushed walnut? I know that soil proivides digging and better humidity levels, but sav monitors tend to live in the desert, where the climate is hotter and dryer. What would you reccommend.

Someone has misinformed you. Savannah monitors live in the ..... savannah. That's a somewhat arid area scattered with trees, bushes and grasses - NOT a desert by any means. And the lizards of a desert do not stay out in the extreme dryness and heat anyhow. They seek shelter in burrows and such that are cooler and moister. That walnut bedding is absolute crap other than the pretty appearance of it. You need a good foot or two of dirt/soil that the monitor can burrow into and retreat from heat, dryness, and threats. That's a no-brainer.