Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm sure this has been answered a thousand times here but I'm looking for suggestions as to the best substrate for Savannah Monitors. Also should a different substrate be used for babies? I noticed mine likes to drag it's hemipene( if thats what it is) or some other moist organ when it defecates and was worried that this would collect dirt/sand.

Thanks,

Chris

i always have used eco earth substrate. you buy it by the solid block then put it in water and it expands and you dry it and break it up. no complaints.

i am not sure but i think that might be a problem if it drags its red thing around like that... mine goes number two then drags its rear around but there isn't anything poking out when she does that.

I had a chameleon that had a prolapsed rectum which was when the red thing was out and couldn't go back in and it was a very serious issue...

Ecoearth and other coconut hull based materials dont make good substrates for dry climate monitors, or much of anything, except roaches for feeders, or for spiders.
You should be using a low organic material topsoil, low in clay.

Hm. Such as what? I haven't had any problems with the eco-earth so it's kind of an ' if its not broken, why fix it?' situation, but i always want what is best for the little (big) guy (girl).

Interesting comment, but if you dont know whats normal, how do recognize something thats broken?
So, I guess you need to set them up properly, see a period of time thats normal, then you will recognize when it is broken.
Try for yourself, the monitor will teach you best. Usually when newer keepers think everything is fine they get a rude awakening, but this takes time, its in their nature to appear healthy until they cant possibly take it anymore, most times its too late then.
Recently werent you having problems with your bosc? I dont remember exactly, I only visit this place infrequently now.
Dirt is dirt, coco-mulch is not dirt. If you look at the soil content of the parts of Africa where bosc and whitethroated monitors live you will see its very very low organic content, high in certain minerals, and very close to what you see in many places along river banks, you know the stuff many animals here in the US like to burrow into.

Thanks for the info. Do I have to worry about the monitor swallowing dirt? Should I always try to have a piece of newspaper down when I feed?

Thanks,

Chris

They eat dirt all of the time, they just pass it.
Synthetic substrates, walnut shells, etc are a problem for swallowing, but usually only for those who are not very healthy, a healthy monitor can practically eat 16 penny nails.
Over the years mine have eaten rocks, sticks, you name it. When in an environment that is set up to allow for faster digestion, and is well hydrated they digest just about everything, ot just pass it.

Thanks so much for the info! This Monitor is hilarious. So glad I found it. Much more entertaining than my snakes.