Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi

I'm new to Savannahs (well haven't actually even got it yet)
Apart from a dog and a parrot we have had a beardie, a corn, now have 3 rankins and a ball python. We've got a baby Sav on reserve (CB) as my 18 year old daughter who works in a reptile department has always wanted one and has known some nice large ones. So I've decided to do my homework (I feel that if anything moves into my house I have a responsibility for it). I've seen how they act as babies (and read all about their crankiness on this forum ) so we know what we're letting ourselves in for LOL!

I just want to make sure I have everything right according to what I've read and what our reptile specialist says so please forgive what I can see coming up as a long post

Firstly, temps should be 80-85 cool end and 100 hot end with basking spot of 120.

Substrate should be soil (without additives etc) and newspaper, sand and repti-bark is a big no-no - although of course it's much easier to clean up newspaper and paper towels (would a large box in one corner with soil be acceptable?) or would this be OK until the Sav is an adult? Would it be really bad to have newspaper if we had a humid hide or a soil box?

Hides - One thing that struck me as odd straight away is the guy said "no hides unless you want to keep providing new ones" (the baby savs had a plastic plant up the side of the tank they were perching in). Having a python I can't imagine life without a hide for any creature that is prone to stress. Python has two hides one at each end.

Handling - leave alone for a couple of weeks until he/she gets used to seeing us - then attempt to pick up and bring out for about 15 minutes handling time - and not letting go and giving up when bitten.

Well I guess I've exhaused my current list of questions but please thank you for having read this far and let me know what you think

your best bet is to get Daniel Bennett and Ravi's book on Savannah Monitors, available on the classified section of this site. it covers everything you need to know about MOST captive monitor husbandry, regardless of species.
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robyn@proexotics.com

Pro Exotics Reptiles

I agree -That is "THE" book, and is a "must have". BTW it's very inexpensive.
Be careful in handling, and you shouldn't be bitten.
Your research sounds like you have a good starting point for your Sav. I'll add that a burrow bow is adequate for a few months, but a healthy Sav will grow like a weed, so you might spend those months designing and building your adult enclosure.
This may sound odd, but pay close attention to fecal matter- its physical consistency and content and its FREQUENCY AND VOLUME. You will soon learn what is normal (varies by age and diet) and be mindful if anything begins to get out of whack.

Great to meet you- have fun with your sav. I hope your experience is as enriching as mine has been (knock wood). Hope this helps , lemme know if i can do anything for ya- Pippps

I should proofread--------I meant to say "burrow box" not burrow bow )

Thanks very much - we'll go with the soil box as long as we can at the moment - we're having new central heating put in in a few months which involves ripping up floor boards etc - it would be a real pain to have to clear out a really big enclosure while that's all going on.

Looks like I had better get this book - if it has the big thumbs up - I don't normally buy that many books and tend to gather my info from the net - as some books you get are just so basic you're still left with questions.

Thanks again - I'm sure I'll be back with more questions later on once s/he has moved in

Sue