Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, my 26" year old Savannah Monitor is a little stressed. On Friday me and my father took down his 6'x4' enclosure because our basement is getting redone (we took apart the cage carefully, it'll be put back together in another week or so when the basements finished). Jango (my monitor) was put in a large cardboard box on Friday. He was rather squeemish all day night Friday and he was getting annoyed on Saturday as well. On Sunday, he was getting real lazy and today he is too. In this cardboard enclosure (about 3.5'x2') there isn't any soil in it yet (his usual substrate) but we are adding some tomorrow. His large water bowl (which he is getting too large for but its still a foot long) is in there along with his large basking rock. I have two 50 watt bulbs in there as well. He is next to the radiator so its nice and warm. Yesterday, I threw in a common mouse (3 inches long and live) which is his usual dinner (I usually give him thawed) and he was just closing his eyes and backing away from the mouse. We kept pushing the mouse at him for 5 mins and finally he snapped on it and ate it. Today I threw in another mouse, its been in there for 2 hours, he is doing the same thing. Right now he is basking on his hot rock. I gave him a nice 30 min soaking before. He is deficating too by the way. Does anyone know what I can do to relief him of the stress? I can probably get a bigger box and we are adding soil to his enclosure tomorrow but why is he acting this way and what can I do? He should be back in his huge cage soon. Thanks in advance.

"On Friday me and my father took down his 6'x4' Jango (my monitor) was put in a large cardboard box on Friday."

UMM not sure. It seems fine to me I mean if your house was being done and I stuck you in a dresser drawer you wouldn't stress so I don't know what to tell you to do. LOL

Here you go get him in something he can move, bask, dig, climb, ect. I bet he will not be as stressed. If you knew the basement was being done you could have found a 55 gallon or something for now that is not a cardboard box. Go ahead put 2 lights on the box do you have any idea what the term FIRE HAZARD means for christ sake the poor monitor will burn first, just use your head.

TB

Ok man you dont have to be so harsh. If the lights been like that since Friday, why hasnt there been a fire? But anyway, I have a 40 gallon breeder (has turtles in it that are my brothers that we might move to another tank) would that suffice? Is he most definately stressed, he is moving around a good amount (still lazy) and he still shoots his blue tongue out but he doesnt care to eat these tasty mice that he usually gives 2 seconds to live!

"why hasnt there been a fire?"

Because you are lucky.

But anyway, I have a 40 gallon breeder (has turtles in it that are my brothers that we might move to another tank) would that suffice?

By a 40 gallon breeder are you refering to a tank that is 36x18x12 if so it will be better than a cardboard box. I have to ask the tank size because some people don't know the real size of a tank. I would still suggest something larger I know he is not going to be in it long but you are at least compitent enough to relize he is stressed and something needs done. (which is more than some people). You might try a 50 gallon rubbermaid tub they don't cost much and can be found at any Walmart, after he is back in the enclosure you can keep the rubbermaid to put him in if something like this happens in the future.

TB

Yeah thats my 40 gallon breeder. I will mention the 50 gallon rubbermaid tub. But why is my sav not eating his mouse? What can I do to get him to eat it? This mouse has escaped for the 3 time (escaped yesterday twice and this morning) I want my sav to get rid of this mouse!
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My Savannah Monitor Jango's Statistics:

Size: 22"
Weight: 2 pounds
Ambient Temps: 78 degrees
Bask Spot Temps: 110 degrees
Night time Temps: 72 degrees
Diet: Thawed 3 inch mice and other meat products
Tank: 6x3x3 Enclosure
Age: 14 Months

Yeah thats my 40 gallon breeder. I will mention the 50 gallon rubbermaid tub. But why is my sav not eating his mouse? What can I do to get him to eat it? This mouse has escaped for the 3 time (escaped yesterday twice and this morning) I want my sav to get rid of this mouse!
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My Savannah Monitor Jango's Statistics:

Size: 22"
Weight: 2 pounds
Ambient Temps: 78 degrees
Bask Spot Temps: 110 degrees
Night time Temps: 72 degrees
Diet: Thawed 3 inch mice and other meat products
Tank: 6x3x3 Enclosure?????????
I thought he was in a cardboard box?????
Age: 14 Months

As far as him not eating the mouse he is under alot of stress just try to get the tub and put some substrate in it set your lights up and give him a day to settle down. what is happening is you took him from everything he is used to and put him in something that he can see nothing but up which will startle him at the least. What I am suggesting is to put him in the tub which will have the same effect as far as not being able to see anything but you will be able to place some soil and a water bowl, get the humidity up alittle more than a box and maybe he will feel alittle more at ease. If you have any more questions just give me a call.717-939-1513 I will be up for another hour or so if you can't call me e-mail me your number at webmaster@bayoubeasts.com I will call you.

TB

Ok, thanks, I'll add you to my buddy list. Oh, those stats you just saw, they are old, thats my old signature, I added that by accident, ignore those.

Cool good luck let me know how it turns out.

TB
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Stop complaining about yesterday,after all yesterday will not get you to tomorrow!