It is a thrilling experience of having a pet exotic reptile to bring a Savannah monitor home. These beautiful lizards which have a scientific name of Varanus exanthematicus are beloved due to their inquisitive natures, heavy body and elegant designs. It contains all the information and guidance you need to provide your Savannah monitor with all the care and attention you would give a reptile pet anywhere in the world, so whether you are a first-time reptile keeper or a professional herpetologist who now seeks information on Savannah monitors, this guide is just for you.
Why Choose a Savannah Monitor
Savannah monitors have peculiar mix of toughness and wit. They tend to be surprisingly interactive and learn how to identify those keeping them compared to airier reptiles. They are small to manage (commonly 23, inches), hence they are a good alternative to larger monitor lizards; also, they have a sturdy build, and thus they are more resilient to poor husbandry practices than smaller lizards.
Fun Fact: Savannah monitors have a long life span of 15-20 years when well taken care of, therefore they can be a long term pet.
What Is a Savannah Monitor
The Savannah monitors are a species of medium-weight lizard that inhabits the savannah and the dry South Africa in general. Saved in the savannahs, the lizards are characterized by their thick tails, hefty limbs, and bodies. They can blend in effortlessly with a grassy or a rocky terrain through their sandy tan to olive-green coloration that is spotted or banded with darker areas. Its scientific name is Varanus exanthematicus and as adults these monitors normally grow to 2 3 feet and 4 to 7 pounds in weight.
These are semi-terrestrial reptiles, which spend majority of their times on the ground and still climb low tree branches. Savannah monitors have powerful jaws that enable them to mash hard-shelled prey (such as snails and beetles, which are typical of their natural diet).
Natural Habitat and Behavior
Savannah monitors live in hot open vistas of West and Central Africa where they can be found between Senegal and Sudan. These areas are defined by sun bleached savannahs with termite mounds and sparse trees. They love to soak up the daytime temperatures of 85-100 o F, the cool nights falling between 70-80 o F, and at humidity rates of about 30 -50 percent, they are found very comfortable in the wild. They are innately programmed to make burrow holes, climb on low trees and forage along wide, open areas.
Savannah monitors in their natural habitat feed on a wide range of food; termite and beetles to small frogs, rodents, and even carrion, thereby maintaining an insect population and in cleaning their environment. These curious lizards enjoy most of their life in exploring, digging and hunting, hence creating the same environment during their captivity is necessary in order to maintain the health and happiness of the lizards.
Preparation of an ideal Enclosure
Enclosure Size
Savannah monitor, the vital aspect of its health is its enclosure size. They should be given at least 4 feet by 2 feet of space in case of juveniles and 8 feet by 4 feet of space or bigger in case of adults. A large enclosed space allows your monitor to dig, climb and explore in the natural manner and thus remains healthy, active and stress free.
Substrate and Décor
A Savannah monitor requires a healthy diet, which is achieved by feeding it a balanced diet. Feed gut-loaded crickets, roaches and supplementary pinkie mice or quail eggs on a calcium and multi-vitamin dusting. Juveniles must be given food everyday, whereas adults are successful when they are given food after every 2-3 days. Proper diet promotes growth, healthy bones and vitality.
Heat
Savannah monitors are reptiles, therefore they depend on their habitat to provide the body heat. An average temperature of 95o to 100oF is important giving a basking place at 110o to 130oF. This makes your monitor to be warmed up when there is a lapse in the monitor. The cooler end of the enclosure is to be in the range of 85 F during the day, and about 75 F at night. In case you need the heat at night it is best to use a ceramic heat emitter as they emit a heat without any light hence your lizard can keep its usual day night cycle.
Light
Savannah monitors require proper UVB lighting that assists them to produce vitamin D3 as well as to metabolize calcium efficiently. One should use high-output UVB bulb of 8-10% UVB and leave it on between10-12 hours daily, resembling natural sun. Althoughrible home light still lights up, you must change it after every six months since UVB light are transparent and wear out much before the bulb is damaged. Without UVB your monitor stands the chance of getting metabolic bone disease among other health issues.
Humidity
In spite of the origin, Savannah monitors are raised in the arid savannahs of Africa; however, paradoxically, they are better off in captivity due to an increased level of humidity. Present-day keepers have discovered that keeping monitors in a humid burrowing environment is beneficial. To monitor the levels accurately, use hygrometer. Try to have a substrate area that is 90 to 100 percent moist, and the coolest portion of the enclosure should stay higher in humidity with at least 60 percent. The area where they can go to bask will automatically be drier establishing an ideal moisture gradient that promotes ideal shedding and hydration.
Substrate
Considering that Savannah monitors are natural diggers, it is worth providing them with the correct substrate so that you maintain the physical and mental health of Savannah monitors. Organic soil, sand, or soil-sand mix (an excellent substrate to bury in case your monitor is tame enough) are the best substrates that you can use
Have a bedding in depth of at least 24 inches to allow the pets to dig within it. In case your monitors are dirty or are more violent, employ easy clean materials such as paper towels, butchers papers or reptile carpet. Avoid substrates composed of small particles, which may lead to impaction in case of their entry in the body with food. You may select either of them, but remember to clean, alternatively change the substrate at least once every two weeks to avoid odor and bacteria accumulation.
Food and Water
Savannah monitors are meat-eater and would get obese in case they are over fed. Juveniles are supposed to be fed three times a week, adults normally require to be fed once a week. Youngsters can consume 1-4 fuzzy mice or a small mouse together with supplementary insects such as gut-loaded crickets and roaches. Adults should be allowed two or three adult mouse or one rat/week with insect variety. Just be wary of fat foods, do not over feed canned dog or monitor food, as these should only be used very occasionally. Never forget dusting off insects or young rodents with calcium powder so that they have good strong bones.
To prevent them accidentally eating the substrate it is also a good idea to feed your Savannah monitor in a different tank and never feed them by hand as they may end up mistaking your fingers to be food as well. The cleaned and refilled daily bowl with fresh filtered water must be put out all the time, to ensure hygiene.
Feeding Your Savannah Monitor
Proper diet is necessary to feed your Savannah monitor so that it remains healthy. In captivity, discus their wild food by feeding with gut-loaded insects, such as crickets and roaches with treats of pinkie mice, quail-eggs, or snails once in a while. Calcium dust food 2-3 times per week and multivitamin round once every week. Juveniles need to be fed daily whereas the adults fare well when fed after every 2-3 days. Obesity and other health problems can be avoided by avoiding overfeeding the fatty foods.
Handling and Socialization
Is it possible to tame Savannah monitor? Sure– but the thing is patience. Begin by letting your monitor adjust the new habitat in the first week. When they get settled, start handling them lightly a few minutes every day, making sure the body is held. Do not be abrupt, and learn their body language: when they have a puffed throat, tail whipping, hissing, they are stressed. Positive interactions increase constantly and Savannah monitors can be confident and only tolerate handling.
Health and Common Issues
Although Savannah monitors are tough reptiles, they develop health challenges when their care is wrong. Some of the common problems involve metabolic bone disease caused by UVB or calcium deficiency, respiratory infection because of poor humidity or temperatures, weight loss or diarrhea because of parasites, and obesity because of excessive fatty food. Seeing a vet that knows reptiles can prevent problems, and allow the vet to detect problems early, before the animal is ill.
Breeding Savannah Monitors
Savannah monitors are complicated to breed; it should be done by the experienced keepers. It involves the imitation of the natural seasonal cycle including a period of cooling, match of compatible adults, and this must contain a deep and moist nesting box. Incubation of eggs should be done at high temperature (82-84 o F) and high humidity with up to 220 days. Breeding may be stressful to both monitors and therefore only undertake with the appropriate information and equipment.
Selecting Healthy Savannah Monitor
Keeping a Savannah monitor, you should seek clear eyes and nostrils without discharge, clean smooth skin with no cuts or parasites, a fat base of the tail and active alert behaviour. Buy only good reputation breeders or rescue labels that provide good health-care records and adequate directions on care.
Cost and Commitment
Savannah monitors are life-long pets having a lifespan of 15-20 years with the appropriate care. The first start up expenses (enclosure, heating, lighting and decoration) is between eight hundred to one and a half thousand dollars. The average costs associated with food, substrate, and electricity are about 30-60 dollars a month. Consider time to do the day-to-day maintenance, feeding and socialization before adopting this wonderful reptile.
