Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I recently bought a hatchling savannah, he's no more than 6 inches in length, if that. Fairly tiny guy. When i brought him home, he seemed very alert, active, but was not too interested in his food. I left him alone with half a dozen medium sized crickets for 24 hours. Still nothing. I eventually ended up having to raise the temperatures from 85 to 90, 95. He is doing EXTREMELY better now. He has ate a dozen crickets within the last two days. I know it's not alot of savannahs when young like that, BUT it's an improvement for him. I'm quite satisfied. Well, anyhow, my question/concern now is, is that he is quite shy. He won't eat infront of me or anyone. Is this common? Should I be worried about this perhaps leading to aggression issues later on? Is there any possible way I can break him of this? Could this all be that he is still adjusting to his new home? -- To me, it's nothing major. He's welcome to have all the privacy he wants, but I'm just concerned for him. Any suggestions or thoughts are highly appreciated.

Thanks :]

In my limited experience I would say...one, raise him a basking spot to 120-130* and set for a gradient down to 75 on the low side. Give him all the crix he will eat. Dish for water big enough to soak in. I personally try the handle them now so that they get used to it right away. But that will depend on the temperament and reaction. My first was totally accepting of handling by the time it got home and has been a puppy since. The second threw a cow and we went to the let it get used to us first route. Now, this takes longer than the instant handling with the first,but months later she is a puppy too. They are little babies and hardwired to hide so they don't get eaten.

>>I recently bought a hatchling savannah, he's no more than 6 inches in length, if that. Fairly tiny guy. When i brought him home, he seemed very alert, active, but was not too interested in his food. I left him alone with half a dozen medium sized crickets for 24 hours. Still nothing. I eventually ended up having to raise the temperatures from 85 to 90, 95. He is doing EXTREMELY better now. He has ate a dozen crickets within the last two days. I know it's not alot of savannahs when young like that, BUT it's an improvement for him. I'm quite satisfied. Well, anyhow, my question/concern now is, is that he is quite shy. He won't eat infront of me or anyone. Is this common? Should I be worried about this perhaps leading to aggression issues later on? Is there any possible way I can break him of this? Could this all be that he is still adjusting to his new home? -- To me, it's nothing major. He's welcome to have all the privacy he wants, but I'm just concerned for him. Any suggestions or thoughts are highly appreciated.
>>
>>Thanks :]
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Sonya

Haven't we warned you about tampering with the structure of a chaotic system?
Mrs. Neutron

give him or her some time it takes a good while for savannahs to come around when they are little guys, they start to come around as they get bigger and they relize where the food is coming from, i have raised a few and it takes time dont worry yours is acting normal to be a lttle guy..good luck with your savannah...

bosc1973

i can't say that this is true for any more than my own savannah, but, i have read that you're more likely to end up with a calm animal if you get one right off the bat that's shy, as apposed to agressive. now, when i first got my savannah, about 8 months ago he was around that size, and although eating was never and issue, he was very wary of me, whether it was during handlings or whether he was in his cage, and he's still a little squirmy if i pull him out warm, but have never had any signs of agression. this might lay some of your anxiety to rest.

cheers

-voodoo