Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Thought I would share a couple pics of a new addition. He/she is acclimating well. Top shelf is around 115 degree basking spot with ambient temps around 85 or so. Had him about 4 weeks now and eating great and showing growth. He/she was a bit thin when arrived but as you can see fat and happy now. Have had a few waters many years ago so excited about taking on the challange again. Pretty calm when working with him, has snapped at me a few times but that is to be expected at this age so dont push handling to much at this point. Just want to heatem up and feedem up!

Looks good. not an expert but from what I have learned. Hope there is a solid top on the aquarium and hope your already working on next cage lol. Also migh want to bump basking to more like 130ish. Good luck..
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Tom
0.0.1 California King Snake (booboo)
0.2.1 Sulcata Tortoise (tank, sahara and skittles)
0.0.2 Russian Tortoise (tito and lulu)
0.0.4 Red Ear Sliders (moe, uncle sam, bernie and ernie)
0.0.1 Western Soft shell (Squirt)
1.1.0 Bearded Dragon (marshmellow and Sparkles )
0.0.1 Sumatran Water Monitor (Tiny)
1.0.0 Peachfront Conure (kermit)
0.1.0 Love Bird ( KIKI )
1.2.0 Dog (layla, Roxy and Rosco)
2.2.0 Crazy Cats (babe, sabastian, tinkerbell and sadie)
0.1.0 Lion Head Rabbit (daisy)
0.0.1 Spectacled caiman (wilbert)
0.0.1 Aligator Snapping turtle
0.0.1 Mexican Red Knee Tarantula
1.0.0 Veiled Chameleon
0.0.1 Argentina Black and White Tegu
2.1.0 Columbian Red Tail Boas
1.2.0 Kenya Sand Boas
0.1.0 Green Iguana
1.0.0 Ball Python
1.0.0 Western Hognose Snake
1.0.0 Chocolate Skunk

Nice looking little salvator. The previous poster is correct, mine all average 4 feet in their first year. If you have a screen lid make sure you put something over it to hold in humidity and heat. Baby salvators also need plenty of hides to stay on track. Looks good though. Is it very shy, or does eat in front of you?

Volleyballjoe- Thanks for the input. I've worked with monitors in the past so yes I do cover a majority of the top to hold in heat and humiidity. Also yes plenty of hides, alot of cork bark sections he can wedge into. He has a large water area for soaking and I spray the enclosure often. As far as shy, not at all. I dont try to handle the smaller ones too often since my theory is its useless to try and convince a tiny monitor that a 250lb man isnt going to try and eat you haha. Instead I do place the cage in a high traffic area and when needed move my hands around him inside the cage when cleaning etc. So far so good, he never runs and hides and even allows me to touch him at times. If I do handle him yes he is nippy and tries to bite but relaxes after a bit so try to keep that minimal so not to stress to much. As he/she gets older and not so fragile the handling sessions will increase. And yes eats right in front of me and often and when offered turkey will take it from the dish in my hand. Here is another pic

Haha yes Tbone I do have a good top on there. The temps now seem to be working since he is thriving so well. Heck I bet he has grown by the time I get through writing this! Noticed in your signature you have some tortoises as well. I too have 4 redfoots and an 2006 Aldabra named Squirt (same as your soft shell)

yea I have 5 tortoises 2 russians 3 sulcatas. I would love an aldabra they are very beautiful. My two sulcatas are around 30 pounds and one is a baby. I too have a water monitor and you are right you blink your eyes and sometimes I swear it got bigger.
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Tom
0.0.1 California King Snake (booboo)
0.2.1 Sulcata Tortoise (tank, sahara and skittles)
0.0.2 Russian Tortoise (tito and lulu)
0.0.4 Red Ear Sliders (moe, uncle sam, bernie and ernie)
0.0.1 Western Soft shell (Squirt)
1.1.0 Bearded Dragon (marshmellow and Sparkles )
0.0.1 Sumatran Water Monitor (Tiny)
1.0.0 Peachfront Conure (kermit)
0.1.0 Love Bird ( KIKI )
1.2.0 Dog (layla, Roxy and Rosco)
2.2.0 Crazy Cats (babe, sabastian, tinkerbell and sadie)
0.1.0 Lion Head Rabbit (daisy)
0.0.1 Spectacled caiman (wilbert)
0.0.1 Aligator Snapping turtle
0.0.1 Mexican Red Knee Tarantula
1.0.0 Veiled Chameleon
0.0.1 Argentina Black and White Tegu
2.1.0 Columbian Red Tail Boas
1.2.0 Kenya Sand Boas
0.1.0 Green Iguana
1.0.0 Ball Python
1.0.0 Western Hognose Snake
1.0.0 Chocolate Skunk

Hi, I would raise the basking temp to between 120 to 130f, and the warm side ambient to approx 95f, cool side around 80f, that gives the monitor a choice. I`ve recently got a V.salvator macromaculatus. I know there are some people advising lower temps for this species, but my animal basks in that range regularly, so it`s obviously suitable!