Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hello,

i just got my savanna monitor today, and im having a hard time deciding on a perfect substrate, many recommend sand, some say turf, others like newspaper. id like to know whats the "professionals choice" and whats least likely to harbour and bacteria and other harmful scum. right now hes on newspaper and eats crickets like its going out of style. i also want to feed roaches and mealworms, how often does this monitor need vitamins sprinkled on its food? any tips and trick for savanna keeping in general? sorry to ask questions that are seemingly trivial, i know i can find this info in a caresheet, which i am also consulting; but i prefer to talk to other actual keepers and get it from the horses mouth.

thanks

greg

Plain old dirt works just fine when they are somewhat small.As adults you will need a ton of it to fill a suitable sized cage though.Cypress mulch mixed with dirt is okay too.

so, i can go dig up some good ole georgia clay? or is topsoil better for these guys? i kinda dont want him turning that red-clay color.

I know what you mean about the clay.I live in Va. and there is plenty of red clay here.I just went to a construction site where they dumping "fill dirt".No clay there,they can't use it to pack down under houses.They don't usually care if you take some because it is a small amount(and FREE)