Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a couple questions that I couldn't find answers to searching.

First the info: 2.5 yo Sav Monitor, 3 ft. Set up in a 8x3x2 stock tank with 1ft of topsoil/decomposed granite substrate. 130 degree basking, temp gradient 85-90 on hot side, 75-80 on cool. 60-80% humidity. large "table" for hide, snug fit. large 3x2 water container

First question - before he was moved to this new cage At about 1.5 ft), he was in a 75 gal tank. he got too close to a repti-sun heat light and got a burn. I took him to the vet and got the cream that helps heal the burn. The burn has healed, but ever since, he has some spots on his back where it is a white flat patch with no scales. I used the cream until the burn was healed, but should I keep using it until the white patches go away (guessing its his skin)? He gets good sheds and I follow Robyn's advice and soak him once a week for an hour. Will this skin condition need a vets attention or are they slow healers? Sorry no picture I can provide a little later

Next question, He really doesnt burrow any more. he used to dig nice burrows almost tothe bottom of the tub, but now he just hangs out in his table hide. I pre-dug some burrows for him to see if he will investigate. The deeper I get, the more wet the dirt becomes. it is definitely a humid hide. How to keep cage humidity up top while not creating ponds at the bottom is a question I have. Also, what would stop him wanting to burrow? The dirt forms good burrows, but isnt rock solid (although FR explains that is what they essentially like to burrow in).

Just wondering if the two are related or if i am doing something wrong.

Thanks for your help

Did the no pest strip work on the flying bugs and gnats?
Mike
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Mike's Monitors!

Hey Mike, I picked one up and was reading the instructions, but it says not even to have it in a room with people for more than 3 hours. I decided against it and with luck, the bugs just went away. I still have it, just in case, it just concerned me with the warnings.

Thanks for your help anyway, can you comment on my current questions?

I have a couple questions that I couldn't find answers to searching.

First the info: 2.5 yo Sav Monitor, 3 ft. Set up in a 8x3x2 stock tank with 1ft of topsoil/decomposed granite substrate. 130 degree basking, temp gradient 85-90 on hot side, 75-80 on cool. 60-80% humidity. large "table" for hide, snug fit. large 3x2 water container

First question - before he was moved to this new cage At about 1.5 ft), he was in a 75 gal tank. he got too close to a repti-sun heat light and got a burn. I took him to the vet and got the cream that helps heal the burn. The burn has healed, but ever since, he has some spots on his back where it is a white flat patch with no scales. I used the cream until the burn was healed, but should I keep using it until the white patches go away (guessing its his skin)? He gets good sheds and I follow Robyn's advice and soak him once a week for an hour. Will this skin condition need a vets attention or are they slow healers? Sorry no picture I can provide a little later

Next question, He really doesnt burrow any more. he used to dig nice burrows almost tothe bottom of the tub, but now he just hangs out in his table hide. I pre-dug some burrows for him to see if he will investigate. The deeper I get, the more wet the dirt becomes. it is definitely a humid hide. How to keep cage humidity up top while not creating ponds at the bottom is a question I have. Also, what would stop him wanting to burrow? The dirt forms good burrows, but isnt rock solid (although FR explains that is what they essentially like to burrow in).

Just wondering if the two are related or if i am doing something wrong.

Thanks for your help

Jeff
All I can say is I hear the the DG is crap and can and does cause cuts and abrasions on their feet.

Also I have simple drains on all of my troughs that are FULL of dirt. This keep the bottom from becoming saturated and to wet.

These "tweekings" take years of trial and error!
If I could see your setup or better yet come to your house I may be of more help.
Good Luck
Mike
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Mike's Monitors!

Don't tell Robyn that, haha. Thats is where I got the idea and as far as I know, he swears by it. It was just too heavy to do a foot of total DG (and expensive too, coming from Home Deport), thats why I mixed with top soil (75 TS/25 DG). I may need to find a new dirt soon if that is why he isnt burrowing.

I am planning a 4 foot top section to give him some vertical space to move. he is getting fat, i've gone from 5 mice twice a week, to 4 twice with some crickets for exercise.

Here are some pics. If you're ever in Southern California you should def stop by and check it out

Jeff
I don't think Robyn swears by it much anymore!
I do see one problem, your trough is sitting on the floor.
What are the temps on that floor?
Your trough should be up off of the floor Brother.

I mix 50% sand, 25% topsoil and 25% cypress mulch fines.
Mike

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Mike's Monitors!

Mike,
You can't see from the pic, but inside of the frame, the tank is sitting on 2x4s so it isnt on the floor. it is a good idea for me to temp out the burrows I just dug. I did one on the hot side and one on the cool side. I guess one good thing is that he still eats like a champ. I think giving him some vertical climbing room will help him shed some lbs!

my thoughts on soaking have evolved over the years. it is definitely helpful for rehydrating, and it can keep monitors looking extra pretty, but given a good setup, with a moist substrate, it is not a weekly necessity.

if your animal is having dry sheds or dehydration issues, soak as you will. but better to address cage setup issues.

a topsoil/DG mix is actually quite nice, i like it better than straight DG. but it sounds like you have a lot of moisture at depth, perhaps building up over time, and that is making it unusable for burrowing. a bottom drain, as Ugly mentioned, helps to address this.

it is a fine balancing act : )
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robyn@proexotics.com

Pro Exotics Reptiles

Right, those stock tanks have a drain but I think it sits up at least an inch from the bottom, might need to put rocks or something on the bottom so the dirt drains. I will run some drainage, I dont think the top soil was "pure" top soil so when it gets wet...or whenyou get to the wet soil, it has a not-to-pleasant odor, haha

Are you guys gonna be at the NARBC in September in Anaheim?

The white marks could be scars my monitor I got as a rescue the person before had him in to small of a cage and he burnt his back and now has three scars on his back....
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Tom
1.2.0 Leopard Gecko (dot, spot, leo)
0.0.1 California King Snake (booboo)
0.1.0 Sulcata Tortoise (tank)
0.0.2 Russian Tortoise (tito and lulu)
0.0.2 Red Ear Sliders (bernie and ernie)
0.0.3 Painted Turtles (larry, curly and moe)
1.0.0 Bearded Dragon (marshmellow)
0.0.1 Savannah Monitor (beef)
1.0.0 Peachfront Conure (kermit)
0.1.0 Australian Shepheard (layla)
2.1.0 Crazy Cats (babe, sabastian, tinkerbell)
0.1.0 Lion Head Rabbit (daisy)
0.1.0 Ferret (jordan)
0.2.0 Guinea Pigs (lilly and petunia)
0.0.1 White Tree Frog (dumpy jr.)
0.0.2 Fire Belly Newts (spork and blaze)
0.0.1 Fire Belly Toad (ferdinan)
0.0.1 Red Spotted Newt ( red)
0.0.2 Bull Frogs (goliath and tubby)
0.0.1 Rainbow Ameive (jack)
0.0.1 Spectacled caiman (wilbert)
0.0.3 Green Anoles
1.0.0 Bahama Anole
0.0.1 Long Tail Grass Lizard
Lots Of Fish

Jeff
Raising your trough will allow for a "simple" drain.
Mind you I spray my enclosures down everyday!!
I wouldn't do that for a Sav though, a drain will help you greatly!
If you ever see my "simple" drains you'd laugh your a$$ off, BUT they are VERY effective.
Mike

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Mike's Monitors!

I think I remember talking to you about your drains. Did you tap into the metal stock tank? You use the bucket method right? or is that just for the water basin?

I figure if I can raise the dirt above the current drain plug, putting rocks or something where the water below the plug can sit, then I can get drainage to the level of the plug using existing holes in the tank, no need to drill new ones!

Hows that sound?

Jeff
One of my "Simple" drains is just the plug cross threaded with a rubbermade (large shoe box size) container underneath the trough.
The other is the same way, except I drilled 3 small holes in it with another rubbermade container underneath.

I did use a 3" layer of lava rocks for the drainage.

Both need to be emptied about every 3 days, not so bad with all of the spraying I do!
Good Luck Brother!

OH and your dirt should smell fresh like a field after a good rain...not nasty as you say.
I love the way my enclosures smell.
Mike

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Mike's Monitors!

Robyn
I stand corrected on the DG!
Prehaps a little topsoil makes it better?
Mike
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Mike's Monitors!