Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, I have finally decided that I am going to buy a savannah monitor. I have been wanting one for five years now and next week when the reptile expo comes to dallas I will buy one. But right now I need to get its home picked out for him. I know that if I get a baby, then I could get away with a smaller enclosure, however I want to start off fairly big, so I won't have to worry about upgrading for a while. I would appreciate any and all pictures that you guys would be willing to show me. I would be very much obliged. I am not going to necessarily "steal" anyone's idea, but I would like to get as many ideas as possible. I know that there are several different designs and ideas out there however I have a basic idea what I want. Probably something fairly square and no higher than 2 or 2 1/2 feet high. I also would like all of the sides to be made of some kind of see through material. Glass or Plexiglass? And ideas? What's the cheapest? Does one hold humidity better than the other? Do I want to keep in humidity?? Also I would like to see some pictures or ideas on the ways you have implemented the ventilation. Would it be well advised to ventilate every side? Just the top? A wire mess top or a solid top with holes? I also want this enclosure to be appealing to the eye, and I really had a hard time picturing using wood for any of the panels, as I thought that may look tacky. But would like to hear any ideas otherwise. I know I have been a jerk in the past with some of my messages, and I apologize. I just want this enclosure to be right, so please please help! Oh and christine, I saw some pictures of your Sav and I loved it. Any chance I can see a picture of where you keep gator? Thank you. Thanks everyone.
Also, I know that a lot of how I do this, depends on how much money I am willing to shell out. I would really love to make this look nice and keep it around the 100 dollar range. I am on a budget! Is it cheaper to actually build your own cage with glass panels you buy at home depot and use that rubber caulking stuff? Gosh I can't wait to see some pictures! Thanks again.
~Mark

I think it is much better to use enclosures suited for the size of the lizard, and increase the size of them as the monitor grows.

Building an enclosure that would house an adult sav for $100 is a fairly tall order. One that looks good is even harder. Two sheets of 3/4 plywood are close to $100. Glass looks nicer than plexi and will last longer, but it is heavy and breakable. Plexi is flexible and will scratch.

I posted pics of my enclosures just last week (scroll down and look).

The main problem with a 2' high cage is the amount of substrate you can put in.

Good Luck

--Robert

here

Thank you..The height looks ideal for what I'm looking for. What are the entire dimensions on that? It looks really nice but also really expensive!

2x2x5 and actually it wasnt thgat expensive the most expensive part was the glass i would saidd for both cages the price was 300 dollars.

A much higher dam and a lot more dirt.

Good Luck,

--Robert

AND DISREGARD THE SAND THATS INSIDE CUZ MY CAGE ISNT EVEN READY YET IM TRYING TO FIND THAT PINK BREEZE DECOMPOSED GRANITE THAT PE USES

It doesn't NEED to be deeper, you CAN keep them on paper towels.

I was just offering advice, do what you want.

--Robert

Offering bad advice like that. Shame on you! When's that Lady going to lay? You're deffinatly getting close. Good luck with everything Robert. -Jeff

She is making me very nervous, she has stopped burrowing entirely, just hiding in a log and basking for a couple days now. Only ate three hoppers in that time too, she won't even eat mice (which is very unusual for her (aka. Garbage Disposal)).

--Robert

They just dont have room for much in their stomachs for very much so they eat small meals. Sobek ate one jumbo mouse every week and a half for the 4 weeks she was full of 40 eggs.
After 2 weeks I set a vet appointment, I was worried and got an xray to verify eggs, this was at 3 weeks. At 4 weeks surgery was done to remove them (I wasnt risking her life), Dan Turner almost lost one, she had surgery at the 5-6(?) week mark (only her eggs were fertile), the eggs were rotting inside her.
Good luck, your peachies are such pretty animals.

I have only had her refuse food once before (when gravid). She will take a hopper or two. Right now, it looks like the weight has shifted, so it should not be too long. I have a feeling I was not feeding her enough before (when she was gravid), and that showed in the eggs, but we shall see. I am going to have to get a male in with her, all this stress for infertiles is no fun.

This week for sure.... I hope

--Robert

A topsoil from a local landscape place. Quit the capital letters.