Reptile & Amphibian Forums

just bout a sav monitor bout 3 months ago. it is still young, its about a foot long. ever since i have got him he constantly stays in the hide rock. Never see him come out and explore his cage. I never see him eat but know he is because I can see where he goes to the bathroom. he also does this weird shakeing thing with his head when i handle him. any info or suggestions will be great. any more info i need to provide please let me know.

What kind of substrate are you using? for example dirt? And how are his temperatures? Do you have a temp gun yet?

temp is arounf 85 humidity is up at 60. the substrate is the soft cocnut bark. can i use something different for the substrate. what is the best thing to use

http://www.proexotics.com/care_savannah.html

Here is a care sheet for them. Your problem sounds like the cage set up. He is not getting access to the proper temps. You can buy the temperature gun from Pro-exotics or LLL reptile. Its the same exact one. Monitors need surface temps of 130F with access to cool temps of 70'sF. The pet stores try to keep monitors like snakes and they can't be kept like snakes. It would be alot easier if they could but thats how it is.

what is the basking temp? how deep is the substraight? you should use a sandy dirt and it should be deep. Show pix of your enclosure for more informed answers from the expirienced guys here. Make sure the top of the enclosure is totally covered with the basking light inside the cage down low to the basking spot adjusted to a temp of at least 130 at the basking spot only, with the temps dropping slowly to room temp on the other side. lots of tight dark hiding spots in all temp ranges. The substraight should be a sandy dirt as deep as you can provide in the enclosure. This is all I can tell you from my short time with monitors. good luck

thanks for all the advice. Think im going to have to get a bigger cage. i will get that and get it set up correctly. thank you everyone