Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Okay im not new to iguanas and tortoises but im new to monitors. Somone contacted me and said that this lizard needs a home right now. Its well cared for and very tame. I have no idea how large the cage should be for a 25 inch monitor. Should there be a water tub in the inclosure? How often do i feed this lizard? Any other helpfull hints would be great!! Thanks

we live in albany and are planning on adopting one also, just seeing if it might be the same one.

No this one is in Tualatin. I have never been there but i looked it up on the map and its before you get to portland. Maybe if your better prepared to care for it we should talk more? email me cmorgan1980@hotmail.com

Here you go....
1.http://my.pclink.com/~dkelley/monitors.htm#fee
2.This one is better---http://www.anapsid.org/savannah.html
3.http://www.abhp.com/Savannah Monitors.htm
4.http://www.redragons.50megs.com/savannahcare.html

Thanks alot ill check em out asap!

But I dont like anapsid because the monitor care sheets are sooo far off they were written for a different animal. If you want the best book or care sheet etc. get Daniel Bennett and Ravi Thakooordyal new book "The Savannah Monitor Lizard, the truth about Varanus Exanthematicus". Its the best book on captive care of monitors, and the only one one the bosc or savannah monitor period.

Thanks!

Hi there and gongrats on the saving of and unwanted Monitor.
I also have Iguanas and a monitor along with a few other species. I my self have a White Throat Monitor which is closely related to the Savanah. I can tell you that they usually reach a length or approx 3-4 feet and have a very healty gurth. They are a very good first monitor to have and if it is already tame enough to hold then you are in good shape.
First things first then.
Cage: As big as possible! They like the room and will use it all once they get settled in. For the minimum you should use an enclosure of 6 foot long X 3 foot high X 3 foot deep. This should allow for hideing and bathing locations. Along with the all needed basking local. *Hint(Bath pools are also the potty) So you will need it to be cleanable with ease.
They are good climbers so give them the chance to. *Caution ( They are heaver then the Igies and not as adept in climbing so anchor all cage furniture cause they will tear it up.)
Food:Well they are primairily carnivorous so this means mice and baby chicks in the freezer for you. My feeding list consists of Prey items like Mice, 3 day old chicks, fish, shrimp and insects. All this food is frozen thawed accept the insects are alive. then we also have some normal food like Eggs, chicken breast, turkey and some greens. This is all boiled accept the greens. ( Eggs the favorite and the greens are least fav.)
I like to move the food dish around every once in a while to allow her to hunt for it and use her tounge to servey the situation. Keeping her from getting board with food and the cage is one way I get her some exercise and keep her from getting lethargic.
Bedding: Well try what you want to cause every one has there own oppinion on that,( as well as about every thing else)
I like play sand for bedding. it is cheap and good for her to dig around in. She gets it wet all the time and it does not mold like wood does. some people like to use a sand / soil mixture to allow for burrowing but it gets a bit messy to clean then I think.
Well that is about it i think so good luck and you have to see what works for you and your monitor not for every one else.
David...

Some use cyprus mulch because it holds a burrow and , important hold moisture like crazy. But dirt does this to and better. Sand drains water through it and dries out fast. Check our humidity levels in your monitor cage, it should be between 60-95%, thats with a dry surface to the substate. Dehydration manefests itself in long term health problems such as liver and kidney failure. If you dont have a digital hygrometer sit an orange peel in the cage for a day or two or so and see if it dries out, if it does your monitor is drying out also, a good indication is frequent drinking and soaking. I switched to dirt once and will never use anything else (unless to keep incisions clean after surgery). The bosc and WT are semi-arid to arid grasland and woodland monitors not desert monitors. Even desert species live in the dirt under and in the sand, to retain moisture.
Consider this before suggesting something to others as well as for your own monitors health and happiness. Adapt to his needs dont try to change his,to adapt to your wants. Besides my experience with sand and dirt shows dirt easier to clean in your house compared to sand.

hi there again,
Did not mean to up set you with the whole bedding issue. I have used a sandy soil mixture and just a sand bedding for my monitor and have not observed much of a difference in them health or happy. I do agree that you need soil to obtain a sticky burrow type bedding, and also that humidity is also a factor. I have no problem obtaining the 60- 95% rate you suggest in the cage I have for my monitor or my Iggies. (It helps to have a completly sealed PVC enclosure.) Out side of the vents of course.
Yes you are also correct in the fact that soil holds water better then sand that will drain accept when saturated.
My monitor seem to have no problem in keeping it saturated by splashing around in her water dish at least twice a day.
I am sure that in a cage situation like most are able to achieve that dehydration is a problem useing sand as a bedding but that is also why I have suggested that he use a sand/soil mixture for his cage.
I hope this clears up the confusion in my last post.
And do you have any other questions with the care of my or your animals??
David...