First, I find that most new keepers, defend their "fat" monitors, as being healthy. I bring this up first, as it may not need defending.
Like I said down below, its always a battle between a monitor being "fat" and progressing and healthy.
A "fat" monitor does not mean its unhealthy or sick. It only means that its fat. Dang how silly is that. Indeed, the events that allowed the monitor to get fat may lead to a sick and unhealthy monitor later, unless changed.
Indeed, fat monitors are more prone to disease and early death. I believe that the same with most living animals in captive care, including us.
With young monitors, Fat is a sign the conditions are totally wrong. Young reptiles grow long and skinny, until they mature, then they bulk out. Again, I believe that is very normal in the animal world. Getting fat when young means that animal is not metabolizing its food. Its storing it as fat, instead of using it as growth. Its simple, ABC's, there is no magic to that. If your young monitor is growing fast and still getting fat, man thats a simple one, YOUR feeding it too much.
Why many of you feed so much is beyond me. I often think its broken into two basic groups. The competitors, who want to outgrow and outproduce others. And the Motherer's, those who just have to feed something thats hungry. In truth, you can do whatever blows your hindend coverings up, but you really should understand what a fat monitor looks like.
You will often hear Field people, say things to the effect that in nature, you do not see monitors(specially Savs) anything close to the ones in captivity. In nature, you do see really healthy thicktailed, strong monitors, but you do not see basketballs with legs. Ones with big round bellies and skinny legs, tail and neck. In fact, they are much the opposite, thick neck, legs, tail and slim waist.(you know, Golds gym monitors)
Again, you can do anything you want, but please take a look at the pic of a normal(weight) monitor's fat bodies that RobertB posted below. Under the Sweetpea thread. Or Robert can post it again if he wishes. Good luck, F
