Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My sav hasn't shed since last month. Why? I changed his enclosures at the end of september (hes in a huge one now) I added two more light fixtures and I also upped his diet (he eats large adult mice from Rodent Pro). He hasnt shed since the middle of September. I just recently covered his tank (I put plexi glass and plywood over the top and put a blanket over it. I have also been misting him daily to keep the humidity up. Why isnt he shedding? I can see gray on his legs and tail and part of his back but whats taking so long? From June to the middle of September he grew about 9", whats going on? I do use UVA lights with some regular 75 watt floods. He has a bowl for soaking and has two basking spots. His ambient is in the high 80's with the basking spots at around 110 degrees but thats how its always been. Since June when I upped him to mice he started growing like crazy, is he just starting to fit into the new tank?
-----
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!)

Is it dusty and dry, ar is it slightly moist and hold together? Your ambient cage temp is a bit high. Try and go for the high 70s/ low 80's for an ambient. I remember a really informative post from last year. I believe Gaiseprincess(or some name like that) wrote it. She said that if your monitor is soaking frequently than that should be a red flag. There should be enough humidity in the enclosure so that your animal doesnt get dehydrated in the first place. -Thants something that really stuck with me.

You have the top covered with plywood and plexi glass, right? Why do you have the blanket?

About 5 years ago, I had a Nile monitor. I was living with my dad at the time, and he decided he didnt want the thing in the house anymore, so I had to move him out into the garage. At that time I didnt have the high range temp gages, so I was doing a lot of guessing with my temps. Well I figured that, out in the garage I would have to try to keep him xtra warm, considering it was winter. So I covered him up with a comforter. I found him dead the next morning. He had overheated and expired during the night.

Im not saying that your temps are gonna get that high. Just be careful. Thats a pain that I wouldnt want anyone to go through.

All the best, and happy shedding(fingers crossed)!

Michelle

It is more dry on the top but it is a little moist at the bottom. I have the blanket on top b/c there are some small areas that arent completely covered. I am using 75 watt bulbs so should I go down to 50's? Also, it is about 82 in there (thats the ambient) right now. It might have gone down slightly, but should I go to 50 watt bulbs? I have the 4 75 watt floods right now so what do you think? Also, my sav doesn't soak up all that much. He soaked today and hasnt for a week or so. Should I change to 50 watts?
-----
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!)