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Quick Care for Savannah Monitors

-also applies to Whitethroat and Blackthroat Monitors

Check out our Pro Exotics Monitor Pro Pack

(if this is as far as you read- BUY THE SAVANNAH BOOK by Ravi and Bennett
for all of $20!)

Day temps- 80-85 degrees F with 130F+ elevated basking spot

Night temps- 72-80 degrees F

Setup- Husbandry is “typical Monitor” setup. A good diggable, burrowable soil is the best substrate choice, cypress mulch a distant second. We suggest smaller cages for babies, for a better sense of security. A good hot spot/basking spot is extremely important, but so is a proper ambient temperature. Have a Temp Gun handy, and know how to use it. Small, tight hide spots, good sized water dish, soil substrate is kept moderately moistened, moderately high cage humidity.

Basking Spot- We use wide basking spots to provide temp gradients up to 130°F or more. Elevated basking spots allow us to achieve proper temps using 50 watt Halogen flood bulbs . Proper temp gradients also allow for multiple moisture levels without any problems. We use no UVB or full spectrum lighting at all.

Daily care- Keep substrate moistened as necessary. It should be moist at depth, but not wet at any level. Spot clean as necessary.

Feeding- We feed baby and juvie monitors 6 days a week. Four days on feeder insects (roaches are a fave and easy to work with) and two days on thawed rodents. Adults get fed according to need and body weight.

Notes- Read our entire FAQ for more detailed discussion of MANY husbandry topics that can benefit your setups and animals. Monitor care is quite consistent across the board. You can keep many monitor species using the same basic monitor husbandry theory and strategies. Monitors need a wide temp gradient, proper hydration, and a proven, nutritious diet. Refer to our Water Monitor caresheet and Reptiles Magazine article (available in our caresheet section) for a more detailed account of baby monitor husbandry. 99% of the details in good Water Monitor husbandry apply to Savannah husbandry.

Notes- If you have interest in monitors, or if you are a monitor keeper, you MUST get a copy of The Savannah Monitor book by Ravi and Bennett. It has the most complete and up to date monitor info and husbandry in print, and it is a must have for $20. Don't be a dope, get this book!

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