Considering taking another plunge...

[Zephyr]

I've been thinking lately... About possibly... Getting a savannah monitor. I've heard/read that they aren't hard to care for, but you have to do things the right way and keep it that way. I have plenty of food, no doubt; However, if there's any one out there who would object/ has some healthy input, I'd be glad to hear it.
:)

[Snake lover 3-25]

don't they get really really big??? and need lots of space and a burrow???

[adamanteus]

I've always found them pretty easy to keep. Fun too!:D

[infernalis]

don't they get really really big??? and need lots of space and a burrow???


Yes Shanley they do...

Kyle has proven more than once to be responsible for his age, So I will not jump on the nay sayer wagon.

They can live 15-20+ years with proper care, they do get quite large, Chomper is 8 months old, and he already eats 4-5 rat pups at a time.

Unlike snakes, Monitors have a social structure, and if you are going to have a solitary monitor, Kyle, you will have to be it's best friend and companion.

You can keep a snake forever, and do nothing but feed it and clean the cage.

A monitor will need to be let out and interacted with, or you will have an animal that wants to hurt you whenever you get near it.

Time and trust.....

For the optimal enclosure (and this is smallish) it should be 8 feet wide, 4 feet deep, and 4 feet tall.

There are basic care sheets around, Read them.

Have any questions, feel free to ask:D

[olive oil]

Kyle, you are such a responsible pet owner, I think you would provide a wonderful home for the monitor. I'm sure you have done your research.:)

[Zephyr]

The only thing I'm hesitant over thus far is whether or not they need UV... Wayne? lol

[adamanteus]

The big one is Varanus exanthematicus albigularis... the other sub-species don't get too huge.

[adamanteus]

Yes Kyle, they would benefit from UV.

[infernalis]

The only thing I'm hesitant over thus far is whether or not they need UV... Wayne? lol

No they do not need UV. It probably would benefit, But I asked Mr. Reets (FR on kingsnake)
He owns Goanna ranch, he stated that UV was not necessary.

That is generally more important in the green species that eat plants.

We have kept Chomp with nothing more than a basking lamp.

[Zephyr]

Ah, kay.
I think what I'll do is take some measurements down here in the basement, possibly construct a 5"x2" tank, and then set some stuff around the house for free roaming.
It's all hypothetical though; Perhaps I could go with something a little smaller like a tegu or such. :P

[Charlet_2007]

i know a guy right now that has a savanna monitor for 50.00 im pretty sure he'll ship it when the weather is right.. It's also very tame and fat lol..

[Zephyr]

i know a guy right now that has a savanna monitor for 50.00 im pretty sure he'll ship it when the weather is right.. It's also very tame and fat lol..Hmm...
It's tempting.
But I have to make sure I could REALLY commit to the thing.
And I'm thinking starting with a baby would be best. So we could bond.
:P

[Hornets23]

I think my biggest considerations if i were you and thinking about getting one is space and what you will do when you go to college. I'm sure you've already thought of these things though.

[prattypus]

I think my biggest considerations if i were you and thinking about getting one is space and what you will do when you go to college. I'm sure you've already thought of these things though.
Can we say frat mascot?

[drache]

wow, Kyle - that's a large plunge
I just want ackies - really really want, but can't have just yet

[Tori]

I personally have always wanted an Argentine Black & White Tegu. I just don't know if one could get along with my Australian Water Dragons. The Argentines are a lot gentler and smarter than the Columbian Tegu. But my dragons freeroam and are family. I ought to write to Bert who owns Agama International and raises both, but he keeps them separate so I don't know if even he would know. Bert has developed cancer and is selling all of his reptiles and even his breeding facilities. I really ought to write, haven't heard from him recently.

[adamanteus]

All I can say, Tori, is that I know large Tegus will take lizards as part of their diet, without hesitation.

[Zephyr]

Well... Tori... That's another lizard that could fit the "bill." :P
Do they need UV? I could do free-range. :)

[Snake lover 3-25]

all i want is an iguana..... man i love those things........:rolleyes:

[Loren]

Well Kyle, as already said, first thought would be proper caging- I agree that 8 x 4 would be a good baseline. As for your 5 x 2, well, thats slightly smaller than what I used for Rosco, and I have to tell you, I will never keep a monitor that big in a cage that small again. It was basic living quarters only- no room to really enjoy himself. Rosco liked a water bowl large enough to soak in- that takes 1/3 of a 5 x 2 on its own.
The thing about taking him out for exercise, is they should have a fairly warm area to excercise, including digging. Thats another thing my monitor never got to do, and another requirement I will have to meet before I ever get another. So I have to wonder if you are sure he will get out often enough, and if the area he will play in will be warm enough to keep him at full activity. Not people warm- african reptile warm.
As for uv, Wayne refered to FR - Frank Retes, and yes, he is apparently the monitor guru. You can find him on kingsnake.com monitor forum, and I think varanus.net is his forum. Well, Frank absolutely says uv is not needed, but rather the proper temps must be given, which his requirements do vary from what is considered standard by many. He isnt the nicest guy to talk to(very frustrated of new-be's buying monitors they cant care for-understandibly I guess), unless you are a known, experienced monitor guy as well, but he does have the qualifications to say what monitors need and dont need- thats for sure.
My last thought, thats also been brought up is, what about college? I highly doubt he can go to college with you- so then what? Something many of us find out is that adult large reptiles are hard to rehome, and very hard to rehome properly.
I knew Rosco could have had a better life, but I knew I wasnt likely to find anyone that would have given him a better life than I did. Hardcore large herp keepers are hard to find, and they all want to start with babies too. And few hard core monitor guys keep savs these days- they like blackthroats, ackies, and waters, and some of the more expensive species.
So, I know you are a good, responsible and intelligent herp keeper, so I dont want to discourage you- yet in a way I do... for now.

I'll definitely respect your choice either way, this is just my 2 cents.

:)

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/Rosco_9-10-06.JPG

[Zephyr]

all i want is an iguana..... man i love those things........:rolleyes:Me as well.
But they go through puberty.
lol

[Tori]

Almost anything that Bert raises needs UVB, but their temp requirements are about normal house temps. He raises all of his reptiles outside in large pens. Which is why my dragons can freeroam 24/7. I have heat lamps along with UVB lights set up in two different rooms. I also have water tubs set up which means I have to change the water every day what with us remodeling. But it is working out good.

Thanks for the heads-up on the lizard eating, James. As much as I would like to have a Tegu I won't risk my dragons.

[reptile3]

all i want is an iguana..... man i love those things........:rolleyes:

Iguana's are expensive!! they need heat, UVB light, water & LOTS OF ROOM!! They eat greens, veggies, some fruit

right now, my Rocky needs a new home, the one he is in, he will be outgrowing it very soon! I have raised a 5ft male iguana, & a 3ft male iguana.
Rocky is my first baby!


Leo's & Beardie's are easy to care for!!!:D

[infernalis]

We let Chomper out today for some free time roaming the house.

It was too cool, the dog got curious (And very jealous) tried barking at him:D

Chomp spun around, hissed at the dog and sent the dog running:cool:

Next thing you know, Chomp will start stealing Ace's dog food:eek:

He's getting so darn BIG!!

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/chomp.jpg

[Hornets23]

Wow he is cool wayne. How big is he?

[infernalis]

Chomper is around 2 feet long now.

Those claws draw blood sometimes when he climbs on us.

[reptile3]

Chomper is around 2 feet long now.

Those claws draw blood sometimes when he climbs on us.

Hey Wayne, is the dog food oK for him to eat?

They make glove-sleeves to help with that. My Big iguana Willy, clawed me too. I have the scars to prove it. they look lovely up & down my arms!!:rolleyes:
I used to wear those utility gloves that were THICK..\

my dog & old ig got along... Willy tried to eat the dog food.. I told him NO!


Chomper is sooo cool!!!

[infernalis]

Hey Wayne, is the dog food oK for him to eat?

Small amounts are OK, as long as it is not his primary diet. I've read about fools who feed dog food as a staple item.


They make glove-sleeves to help with that. My Big iguana Willy, clawed me too. I have the scars to prove it. they look lovely up & down my arms!!:rolleyes:
I used to wear those utility gloves that were THICK..\

That may work for arms, Chomp climbed up Dorothy's arm, crossed her shoulders, down the other arm and onto my lap:eek:

We allow him a lot of liberty when he is out of his enclosure.


my dog & old ig got along... Willy tried to eat the dog food.. I told him NO!


Chomper is sooo cool!!!

Ace is a great little dog, He would never hurt any of our reps.....

[Lori P]

Our local reptile rescue is shutting down, and she has a nile moniter to adopt out. Is that what Chomper is? (I forget) I want, I want, but I got no room!! And, hmmmm, would a nile moniter eat the smallest dog???

[reptile3]

Our local reptile rescue is shutting down, and she has a nile moniter to adopt out. Is that what Chomper is? (I forget) I want, I want, but I got no room!! And, hmmmm, would a nile moniter eat the smallest dog???


Lori, Wayne's Chomper is a Savannah Monitor: Savannah monitor - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savannah_monitor)


looked up a Nine Monitor for you: Nile monitor - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nile_monitor)

[jitami]

Chomper is too cool Wayne!

There's been a Savannah needing a new home on my local craigslist for a week or two now... no pics, and not much info... I was tempted to get more info, but I'm so not ready for a small dinosaur in my home :)

[infernalis]

Nile monitors are illegal in many states, temperament of a crocodile:(

[reptile3]

I'm so not ready for a small dinosaur in my home :)


LOL small dinosaur!!:)

[jitami]

Aw, they reposted the craigslist ad again... juvenile 10-12 inches, small rehoming fee, no enclosure... :( Anyone want to talk to the guy?

[infernalis]

I wish I could help out, wrong side of the country..

[jitami]

I could probably figure out shipping...

[infernalis]

Considering it's all the way across the nation, and it's winter would it really be in the best interest of the Monitor?

They require a ton of heat, more so than the snakes I am currently holding for fear of shipping them in this weather.

[jitami]

Good point :(

[snakeman]

One of my friends had one about 15 years ago.He was a idiot.He fed his monitor(Which was close to four feet long)macaroni and cheese ,pizza, hot wings,and rats.That thing would go nuts when he brought mac and cheese into the room.He would open the cage and the monitor would dive out of the cage full speed onto the bed and eat the food.I told him he was going to kill it.Especially feeding it hot wings.He would just say"what?I'm putting blue cheese on it".Anyway it did die a couple of years later.That thing was huge though.

[infernalis]

Chomper gets only Rodents, Roaches and as a treat turkey dog food.

Although Frank Retes has minimal people skills, the man knows monitors better than anyone, So I turn to him for my advice, and just let the rest roll off gracefully.