so you want a savannah

[BSM]

Heres an article i found on a uk forum and i think that this should be seen by anyone thinking or looking to buy savannah monitors or any other monitor for the fact.
why dont you see adult savannahs around if there one of the most imported monitor in the pet trade. the answer simple they die because people dont take care of them the way they should.

http://www.reptileforums.co.uk/lizards/119922-so-want-sav.html



Bryan

 

[mr.tegu]

GOOD INFO, thanks for sharing!!

 

[Quijibo]

In my many years experience with savannahs (back to the mid-late 70's), the 2 biggest killers are fatty liver disease from a mouse/rat only diet, and loss of interest by the owner (ornery adults are left to die in their cages). My first encounter with a savannah left me thinking that they were facinating but you could tell that they evolved in a very hostile environment, they don't take any crap! All of mine were handled frequently as juvies and grew up nice but just a little feisty. Some have been very tame, others have been a handfull.
I've seen them in the wild, there they eat mostly insects,snakes,smaller lizards and an occasional small rodent or bird. Some of the larger ones seem to be snake specialists. When I lived in Texas, I rehabbed a few adult sav's on a diet of road killed snakes. They absolutely blossomed! Whenever I'd see a dead snake I'd stop, bag him up, and toss him in the freezer.
A steady diet of mice is leathal for most savannah's. I don't know how many times I had an owner of a fairly young savannah tell me how their "fat and happy" lizard had suddenly died. A "fat savannah" is usually a fat livered savannah.

 

[AWD247]

^^^ I agree 100% ^^^^

 

[jarett_Harrison]

iv been thinking about a sav. they def. are cute. but im not sure i will have room in my room to move! i have quite the collection. lol all will be big one day.

 

[Jefroka]

Seems like a decent care sheet but I doubt any animal on planet earth has basked in temps anywhere near 150F. 120-130F, extreme high end.

I had a savannah, many, many moons ago. I didn't have much stability back then and was constantly on the go, had to put him in better hands after several months. Had a very nice cage my grandfather and I built together, sure wish I had it now, sold it and the monitor to an older couple at the time, they were ecstatic.


...Jefroka