Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, I am not new to reptiles, but I do not know a thing about monitors. I have had beardies and leopard geckos. I would really like to know about savanna monitors... what do I need to know (housing, lighting, do they need UV, how big do they get). I am going to do a lot of research but I thought this would be the best and quickest place to get it from. Any help will be great!

There is a Nine month old savanna monitor at the pet store near my house, looks pretty active, and healthy. What should I look for when buying one? Thanks again.

First of all, please go to Pro-exotics website and read their caresheet BEFORE you buy that monitor. Just so you know, there are much better monitor choices, so dont be in a rush to get the first thing that strikes your fancy. Read as much as you can about different types of monitors. I personally do not like the idea of having Boscs(savannahs), or niles because they are not widely captive bred, so the ones you see at the pet shops are wild caught. This is what the dealers do...they go to africa, collect as many gravid(pregnant) adults as they can find, harvest their eggs, and then dump the adults where ever convienient. Many of those adults are returned hundreds of miles from their home territories and perish.
You will spend a bit more upfront for something like an Ackie, but that would be, by far, a much better choice than a Bosc.

Rgrds,
Michelle