Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've been using cyprus mulch for my savannah monitor, and wanted to try and get away from using it. I built a new enclosure and was trying to decide on what to use as a substrate. I have found many different ideas on what to use, but figured, I'd get better, if not best advice on here, I only want what's best for my Sav, thanks

Hi, the best type of substrate is a soil/playsand mix (it`s trial and error, but start with 80% soil to 20% sand), then tamp it down really firmly, more or less level throughout, not sloping. It should be moist not wet so it will hold a burrow, and a depth of approx 18 to 24inches is o.k. If you have a female, the substrate will need to be heated to the low to mid 80`s F.
Can you give a few details of the current setup and conditions; size and type, temps, humidity range, and what type of thermometer/hygrometer you use to check those, and a few photos might help, too. Thanks!

Ditto...I use the Scotts brand natural topsoil from home depot or lowes....its a red and white bag....btw what did you seal the inside surfaces of your new cage with?poly?paint?
Bryan

So Stefan, Wild Boscs have never been documented burrowing into the side of a slope??

I find that interesting, have you ever personally tried sloping the dirt to simulate a small hillside or mound??
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Regards,
Wayne A. Harvey
Thamnophis US
Savannah Monitors
Snakes and Lizards, It don't get any better....

I'm not sure on how to upload the pics I have, but I will keep on working on it. The inside is Poly, base about 10 coats, completely cured after each coat, the rest of the upper portion has 3 coats, the size is 60" x 36" x 44" I will build bigger and use this enclosure as a "hand me down" when I have room to build another. That being said, there is only about 10" of substrate area to be used, I keep the humidity around 60-65% and heat in the upper 80's to low 90's with a basking spot of 110 F

http://www.flickr.com/photos/92721308@N04/page2/

10 coats is substantial!!!
Wow that must of took some time!
Thanks!
Which poly did you use?
Bryan

base

Base, and frame

Thats the size I just built for 0.0.1 dumerils monitor...is the reasons for my questions about sealing interior.
Thanks!

I'm not sure what brand the poly is bc it's in an unmarked 5 gallon bucket I got from the apartment building where I work. I do know it's water based and dries pretty quick. I usually wait at least 24 hours between coats. I'm still trying to get pics up lol. Good luck with your cage.

Hi Wayne,
you`ve completely managed to miss the point (well done for that at least). In your case from what I can see in the pics and videos the dirt slopes up at each side but there`s very little depth all around the center of the enclosure which means you`ve significantly reduced the available space for burrowing/nesting helping maintain humidity, etc. Of course slopes occur in the wild and they use them, but there`s enough depth all around to make it work! Why did you not answer this question at the HC when I asked it? Frank Retes also made the point to you almost a year ago when you first got them.
I hope I`ve put that clearly, if not, jumble the words around and see if that helps... (Wink).

That is not the point, in a cage, slopes are quickly flattened. So its more or less a waste of time.

But if the cage is large enough, you can terrace the cage eith some manner of structure, in a way that prevents the high areas from being flattened. Cheers

The soil was flat, I wanted to add more, space restrictions under the basking lights got in the way, so I built a hillside.

Within a day they had entrance holes in the face of the slope.

I offered an option to the lizards, and they chose to use it.
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Regards,
Wayne A. Harvey
Thamnophis US
Savannah Monitors
Snakes and Lizards, It don't get any better....

Its also about context, theres a difference between neonates and adults. An adult male Sav can be 4 foot plus and move a lot of dirt in a short period of time. Best wishes

I understand that.

It's a lot of work.

But I don't mind. Gives me something to do.

Digging it all up gives them something to do.

Watching them do it is the best TV show on earth.

Cheers.
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Regards,
Wayne A. Harvey
Thamnophis US
Savannah Monitors
Snakes and Lizards, It don't get any better....

How would I go about heating the substrate?

With nothing more than my basking lamps, my soil holds a steady 78-84 degrees. (excluding directly under the basking light.)

Is your enclosure inside the house?
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Regards,
Wayne A. Harvey
Thamnophis US
Savannah Monitors
Snakes and Lizards, It don't get any better....

Ok cool, yes my enclosure is in the house, ambient air temp inside is low to mid 70's year round.

If the room is 70, then the coldest your dirt will ever be is 70.

The one law that cannot be broken: Physics

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Regards,
Wayne A. Harvey
Thamnophis US
Savannah Monitors
Snakes and Lizards, It don't get any better....