Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am just curious since my sav hit his growth spurt in June after I started feeding him mice. He has grown about 9 inches since then and I think he usually sheds at about once every few weeks. What is the normal shedding rate? I know that a monitor can grow at different times, some growing to 48" in a year and some only getting about a foot (like mine, hes a little over a year and is 22". I've heard all of these stories. I heard about monitors that finally got to 44" at 3 years old! I am wondering since my monitor is not yet full sized (hes about half way there) and I was just curious. Anyone have stories?
-----
My Savannah Monitor Jango's Statistics:

Size: 21"
Weight: 2 pounds
Ambient Temps: 88 degrees
Bask Spot Temps: 100 degrees
Night time Temps: 75 degrees
Diet: Thawed 3 inch mice and other meat products
Tank: 6x3x3 Enclosure
Age: 14 Months (his size is small for his age but he is starting to catch up shedding at 2 times a month!)

Hey, Ppk. I don't own a sav, never have. Although I know people that have, but their experiences wont help you or me much. I own a WT that is still young and is almost always in a constant shed. Don't worry much about growth as long as your supplying its needs, it will do fine. Feeding it well, having the proper heat and enclosure requirements(the requirements are common knowledge here) it will do fine. Shedding is part of the growth process for them. Just relax, take it easy and enjoy the next 12 -15 yrs you will share with your monitor. Read up on the old posts they offer loads info. Research, research, research. Best of luck!

I am very excited indeed. I am not at all worried. I was the first 9-10 months since he only shed sparingly and he only grew I think 7 inches total. I got him as a hatchling (5 inches total length) and he only grew to about a foot total length. I came here and found out I should be feeding him mice (I was feeding him crickets and insects only). I started with the mice in June and b/c of it he grew over 9" since. He finished shedding last week I think and I can tell from this morning that hes ready to start a new shed. His legs are turning grayish as his sides and tail are too. This is what has been happening since June and within about 4 days he starts shedding and finishes in a few days afterwards and starts again! I am very happy with these results with the mice. I am going to start feeding him 5 mice a week (I feed him 4 now) and the other two days chicken. His growth has been amazing me, I had to switch out of his 40 gallon breeder (which I bought in July since he outgrew his 20 gallon) and that was a waste of money, only lasted 2 months. His new enclosure should be good for his whole life I hope, it is 6x3x3. He is still getting used to the new tank. I will keep feeding him mice forever since that gets me good results, the crickets dont. I hear crickets are only good for fiber. I was just wondering with the shedding since he sheds about 2 times a month and looks bigger every week. I'm not really used to it yet since he only grew a little bit the first couple of months. I am not worried at all, I'm excited, I cant wait to see him full sized (I am hoping to see him full sized in the spring at the rate hes growing). I will get a pic soon of him and his enclosure. I have other pics but its him at about 16-17 inches(early August pictures). I have to take a few new ones and some of his enclosure.
-----
My Savannah Monitor Jango's Statistics:

Size: 22"
Weight: 2 pounds
Ambient Temps: 88 degrees
Bask Spot Temps: 102 degrees
Night time Temps: 72 degrees
Diet: Thawed 3 inch mice and other meat products
Tank: 6x3x3 Enclosure
Age: 14 Months (his size is small for his age but he is starting to catch up shedding at 2 times a month!)

It is a big myth that shedding is directly related to growth in reptiles. The truth is, shedding is just a rejuvination of old skin cells. New skin comes up from the bottom, and the dead, old skin comes off of the top. Think about us humans, we are all full grown adults, yet everytime we scratch our skin, we are in fact shedding skin cells. We are done growing, but yet we still shed our skin. In fact, 90% or so of the dust in our homes, is actually composed of dead human skin cells. It's kind of gross when you think about it.. just my .02

bob mendyk

hey, its a good thing tht your monitor sheds freqently, dont worrie about monitoring its growth by it. as long as its eating properly and doesnt get over stressed all the time then theres nothing to worrie about. it will grow at its own pace. and also th enclosure size you are building will last him a long time, it may not last him his whole life. savannahs are a rather large monitor at full grown. some stay in the 3 foot range and some get up to 4 and ive seen a male xantic savannah reach 5'3" in captivity. this was due to powr feeding for breeding purpose though. if i was you id look for your guy to get about 3 1/2 thats not un common but also be prepared if he gets 4-5 and a cage 3 foot wide wont be large enough. the rule of thumb is usally 2 time larger than his length and 3-6 time larger for the length of the cage. if im wrong some one please correct me so this guy knowsthat right facts, becuase these are just coming from my expirence.