Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a 8 month old sav, and every things been going pretty well. I was feeding him about 15 crickets a day that I was buying at petsmart, as im sure every one knows thats a stupid and expenive way to purchase crickets. So I bought 500 crickets from a bulk supplier where I live, but my sav just wont eat them. He will eat about 3 every time I feed him and the rest he just smells and turns his head to, and Ill adimit they do smell a little bit funny even for crickets. I was wondering if anyone had any insite or has experienced this before?

How big is he? 15 crickets doesnt sound like alot but once again dont know size. Usually at a certain size they will just get bored might be time to move to some new food but need more background info..

Tom

I would say hes 11" or 12". The reason I was feeding him so few(15) crickets was that there so damn expensive from petsmart, but i got a large container and like I said bought the 500. The first day I got the new ones he ate 20 but ever since then he just turns away. I understand that he probably needs 20-25 a day, but I was more so confused about the new crickets. He seemed very interested in the old crickets from petco but shows little to no intrest in the new ones, so I dont think hes bored of crickets I just think he doesnt like the new ones for some reason. Maybe it is time to switch to pinkies. idk

I am far from an expert on monitors but as long as he doesnt seemed stressed and other than that acts normal i would say try the pinkies you can also look into other insects to try zoo med even makes canned snails and grasshoppers and things like that. As I said i am no expert but i would try other foods such as pinkies. My savi likes the insects but he loves his rodents he is about 2.5 feet and will plow through his cage to get to the food lol. Hope the info helps

Tom

Ok, ya I guess Ill see what he thinks of the pinkies. Thanks for the help.

Well just like everyone else, I too am not an expert. Just someone who loves reptiles. My savannah started with 10-15 small crickets every other day. But after he got used to catching them, he got bored. So I went with medium crickets. And those worked until he turned about 7 months. He is almost 1 year and i have him on 2-3 fuzzies every other day and 12 large crickets every 3rd or 4th day. He is very active and healthy and is not obese, trying to avoid that stereotype of big ol' fat savannah. I think you are doing a great job, but probably need to challenge your monitor. But once again, I AM NOT AN EXPERT. Its just my opinion, and I hope your savannah grows up big and strong and healthy

0.0 1 Savannah Monitor
1.0 1 Burmese albino

I actually got him pinkies yesterday for the first and he seemed to like those just fine. So I think im going to go with the alternating pinkies and crickets like you do to change it up so he doesnt get bored. Thank you for your advice and good luck with your sav as well.

Not a problem and good luck with your sav too. By any chance did you get any calcium powder for the crickets? I like to sprinkle it on them and them put them in the cage and watch Stewie (i named him after the baby on Family Guy) go crazy trying to catch these little moving powdered donuts. Plus it helps to prevent that bone problem savs and most monitors are known for. Just thought it would help.

As you guys know all kinds of invertebrates are good for the savannah but one thing I have foud good for them< hard to find sometimes, is hornworms they get huge, they are soft not crunchy and they are high in protein and calcium and low in fat make good snack and great source of calcium. Just thought i would chime in.

Tom