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Is bathing ur monitor suggested? I usually just fill the tub up and let him swim around in it for a little although he doesnt like it too much(Savvy) Is there a proper way to wash them?? thanks

Our beardies don't like to be bathed at all either but sometimes when they are having shedding problems or have tracked through their poo and made themselves a smelly mess, bathing is the only way to go. For a big monitor I bet you could time the bathing in the morning just like out iguana and acutally have him poo right in the tub...we use a different bathtub for the iguana than we use for ourselves but if you only have one...make sure to disinfect it with fantastik or some kind of bleach cleaner.
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Chris Vanderwees
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Savannahs are not aquatic. They come from dry areas. A typical savannah response to large quantities of water is to inflate like a balloon and hope the water goes away quickly. If they think they can get out on their own, then the response may be to thrash around or scratch like hell to get out of the tub.

If you are intent on soaking your savannah, use small amounts of water. He should be able to stand without reaching. If there is a deeper end to your tub, then an object he can prop himself up on will make him feel a bit more secure.

In the end, you are asking an animal unaccustomed to water to tolerate it. Chances are he'd rather not. If you are determined to make him be in it, then you have to make him comfortable in it.

I occasionally spray my savannahs with a misting nozzle on my hose. Sometimes they do not mind it and sometimes they get upset. I adjust accordingly. I also provide a large enough water container for them to semi-fit inside. They can choose to sit in it or not (I know they go in it sometimes, but very rarely).

The above explanation applies to beardies. Again, an animal that is not from high water areas is not designed or evolved to be comfortable in large quantities of water.
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^x^ Bloodbat ^x^

I hate to dissagree but, my savannahs love to soak in the tub. I put warm water in it and they both love it. Smaug, the bigger of the 2 likes to be able to totally submerge while Sqassy likes to swim and blow bubbles.Maybe they don't know they aren't supposed to like it, I aint tellin them. lol

Scott
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Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.

What fun would this be if people did not disagree on occasion?

I merely presented the typical savannah response to large quantities of water. They are, in fact, a dry area monitor and generally unaccustomed to large quantities of water. That does not mean they will not go in it, but that is not their general tendency.

That said, there are exceptions to most rules. Further, a monitor can certainly learn to adapt to a given situation. If you made the introduction to water a low threat situation, then a particular monitor(s) would probably learn to accept such events as part of life. I sincerely doubt a savannah would choose to immerse itself in water as often as you choose to immerse it in water, but then we all ask our monitors to do lots of things they probably would not choose to do without our influence.

Your monitor may also "enjoy" or utilize immersion in water to compensate for deficiencies in its normal enclosure. An overly dry enclosure with no humid areas may lead to dehydration. Your monitors may compensate by taking full advantage of their exposure to large quantities of water. I differ from many people on the forum when I state that I do not necessarily find the process of compensation to be a bad thing. Monitors are adaptable creatures with many paths to their goals. Monitors search for an end result, the means matters little to them (this is where I disagree with the notion of giving them tools they recognize as a critical aspect of husbandry. They do not care about the particular tools, they care about whether or not what they have will get them to where they want to be.). They want to be hydrated. They will burrow to find a humid location, they will soak in water, they will sit and be misted. The end is the same. They may be more geared for one method, but alternatives are within their adaptable playbook.

Just be aware that your savannahs' behaviors may be more complex than an enjoyment of water/bathing/swimming.

Happy Herping
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^x^ Bloodbat ^x^

I can't argue with what you said. Smaug was badly dehydrated when I got him so soaking was a something that needed to be done and it's almost like he's gotten to expect a soak atleast once a week. When I built the inclosure I added a tub for them. Sassy will bask for a while then take a swim. Then the fun begins, I think she only likes to dig if she's soaked. lol Just like a kid I think she's happiest when dirty.

Scott
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Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.

me and my wife use a big plastic tub to soak our savannahs in when there skin gets to dry and flakey ive keped savannahs for many years and the ones ive kept maby 9 out of 10 have loved the water i take a little tooth brush and scrub all the dried skin off them and let them soak for a while and they seem to love it