Tips For Keeping The Savannah Monitor

The Savannah Monitor Care is a large lizard native to sub-Saharan Africa. They can grow up to 3-4 feet in length and require spacious enclosures with proper heating, lighting, and humidity to thrive. Their diet should mainly consist of insects, like roaches, crickets, and the occasional rodent, as well as eggs.

Proper care involves maintaining a temperature gradient between 75°F and 110°F, with a basking spot at the higher end. Regular handling can make them more docile, though they are naturally defensive and require patience to tame.

Species Summary

Savannah Monitor (Varanus exanthematicus) is native to sub-Saharan Africa and can grow to a length of 3-4 feet. Their diet consists primarily of insects like roaches and crickets, supplemented occasionally by rodents and eggs.

They thrive in hot, arid environments and require large enclosures with temperature gradients between 75°F and 110°F, with a basking spot around 110°F. Proper care includes UVB lighting, humidity control, and adequate hydration.

Appearance & Colors

Savannah Monitors have stout, muscular bodies covered in rough, pebbly scales. Their coloration is typically a mix of earthy tones, ranging from light brown to grayish-tan with darker brown or black banding and spots along their back. Their underbelly is usually lighter, often creamy white or pale yellow.

Juveniles may have more vivid patterns, which tend to dull as they mature. Their thick, tapering tail is banded, and they have strong, sharp claws, well-adapted for digging. Their eyes are small and set on a broad, triangular head, giving them a rugged appearance.

Lifespan

In captivity, Savannah Monitors can live for 15 to 20 years with proper care. In the wild, their lifespan may be shorter due to predation, environmental challenges, and food scarcity.

Average Size

Savannah Monitors typically reach an average size of 3 to 4 feet in length, including their tail. Hatchlings are usually around 5 to 6 inches long but grow rapidly during their first few years.

Savannah Monitor Care

Savannah Monitors require a large, well-ventilated enclosure with space to explore and dig. The enclosure should have a temperature gradient from 75°F to 110°F, with a basking spot at the higher end. Humidity should be maintained at around 40-60%, with a water dish for soaking.

Their diet should focus on protein-rich insects like roaches, crickets, and the occasional rodent or egg. Regular feeding, along with calcium and vitamin supplements, is essential. Handling should be gentle and consistent to reduce stress and promote taming.

Enclosure Size

For an adult Savannah Monitor Care, the recommended enclosure size is at least 8×4 feet (2.4×1.2 meters). This provides enough space for movement, burrowing, and basking. Larger enclosures are always better, as these monitors are active and need room to explore. Hatchlings and juveniles can start in smaller setups, but they will quickly outgrow them and need to be moved to larger enclosures as they grow.

What To Put In Their Habitat

A Savannah Monitor Care habitat should include a substrate like topsoil, sand, or coconut fiber, at least 12-18 inches deep for burrowing. A basking spot with a heat source reaching 100-110°F is necessary, along with UVB lighting for calcium absorption. Provide at least two hide boxes, one on the warmer side and one on the cooler side.

A large, shallow water dish for soaking and drinking should be cleaned regularly. Include rocks, logs, or branches for climbing, and maintain humidity at 40-60% with misting or a humid hide. Ensure a section for digging to encourage natural behaviors.

Temperature & Lighting

Temperature Gradient: Provide a range from 75°F (24°C) on the cooler side to 110°F (43°C) at the basking spot.
Basking Spot: Should be around 100-110°F (38-43°C) to allow them to absorb heat.
Nighttime Temperature: Can drop to around 75°F (24°C) without causing stress.
UVB Lighting: Use a UVB bulb to mimic natural sunlight, promoting vitamin D3 production and calcium absorption.
Day/Night Cycle: Maintain a 12-14 hour light cycle with regular daylight and a 10-12 hour dark period to mimic natural conditions.

Humidity

Maintain humidity levels between 40-60% for Savannah Monitor Care. Lightly mist the enclosure occasionally to help regulate humidity. Ensure a large, shallow water dish is available for soaking and drinking, which also aids in maintaining humidity. Proper humidity supports skin health and overall well-being, but avoid excessive moisture to prevent mold and other issues.

Water

Provide a large, shallow water dish in the enclosure for drinking and soaking. The dish should be cleaned and refilled regularly to ensure fresh water is always available. Regular soaking helps with hydration and can aid in maintaining proper humidity levels.

Savannah Monitor Food & Diet

Savannah Monitors have a diet primarily consisting of protein-rich foods. Here’s what to include:

Insects: Feed them a variety of insects such as roaches, crickets, and mealworms.
Rodents: Offer small, appropriately-sized rodents like pinkie mice occasionally.
Eggs: Occasionally provide eggs, either hard-boiled or scrambled.
Supplements: Dust their food with calcium and vitamin D3 supplements to ensure proper nutrition and bone health.

Feed them in appropriate portions and adjust their diet based on their age and size. Juveniles require more frequent feedings than adults.

Potential Health Issues

Savannah Monitor Care can experience health issues such as metabolic bone disease (MBD) due to calcium deficiency or insufficient UVB exposure, leading to weak or deformed bones. Respiratory infections may occur from improper temperature or humidity, causing symptoms like wheezing.

Parasites, both internal and external, can affect their health. Obesity from overfeeding or an imbalanced diet can impact their overall well-being. Skin problems, including shedding issues or infections, may result from inadequate humidity or poor substrate. Regular veterinary check-ups and proper habitat maintenance can help prevent these issues.

Behavior & Temperament

Savannah Monitor Care is typically strong and independent, often displaying a defensive nature. They may hiss, bite, or strike when startled or stressed, especially if they are not used to handling. They are active and enjoy exploring their environment, requiring ample space to move and dig. With regular, gentle handling, they can become more accustomed to human interaction and may show reduced aggression over time. Their intelligence allows them to recognize their caretakers and respond to feeding routines.

Handling Them

Handling Savannah Monitors involves a few key steps:

Start with short, gentle sessions to help them adjust to your presence.
Approach them slowly and avoid sudden movements to prevent startling them.
Support their body with both hands and keep them low to the ground to avoid falls.
Limit handling to avoid stressing them, especially if they are new or not accustomed to interaction.
Watch for signs of stress, like hissing or biting, and give them a break if needed.

Regular, positive interactions can help build trust and reduce defensive behaviors.

Closing Thoughts

Savannah Monitors can make fascinating and rewarding pets with the right care and attention. Ensuring their habitat meets their needs for temperature, humidity, and space, along with providing a balanced diet and regular handling, is key to their well-being. Patience and consistency in building trust will lead to a more positive relationship with these intelligent and active lizards. Regular veterinary check-ups will help keep them healthy and address any issues promptly.