Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I recently bought a 4/5 month old savannah monitor from the Central PA show. He was happy and friendly when I picked him out. I've had him about a month and he was doing great and eating well. Know he shows no interest in anything and eats rarely, he also has diahrea sometimes. He is starting to nip and hiss? I don't know if it's possible but I think he may be depressed. He was housed with 15 or so other savannahs, they were all curled up with each other. Could it be possible he's just lonely?? Savannah's are suppose to be active and mischivous. All he wants to do is sit in the corner of his tank by the heat, he used to run around, sit in his bowl, and try to escape. Does anyone have any idea what the problem might be? Thanks.
-Cheyenne

The problem is more than likely temperature related, along with other husbandry issues.
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Mike Heinrich,
Mike@amazontreeboa.org
www.amazontreeboa.org

Hi there. Is this your first monitor? Savannahs are often sold to people as beginner monitors. Savs are actually not an easy monitor to keep. Please get on the net and look up Sav care sheets ASAP. Must have proper temps, warm end and cool end are equally important. Must have a basking platform with 130 degrees in order to digest food. Must have hides at warm and cool ends and not ever be dragged out of same. Must have proper humidity. Must have proper size cage and correct diet. A monitor that size is a scared little baby, friendly things you "do" to it are seen as a mortal danger. Stress kills back their immune system. After you get his living conditions correct best to leave him alone a few weeks to settle.