So you want a Sav... ?

[boost-boy74]

Originally Posted by Razaiel

Hi - is it just locusts he's not eating? Mine went through a phase at about 1 year old when he would refuse all bugs and try and hang out for rodents. When he found out I wasn't going to give in he started munching on them again. If he's just not eating generally it may be that he's going through a major shed. Apart from that a monitor is like a dustbin and refuses nothing so if there appears to be no reason and he seems lethargic and miserable it may be a good idea to get him checked out.

hi, thanks for that - he seems active enough, have not given him any rodents just locust and crickets - and the locust just seem to still be in his viv, a major shed - i have not seen any signs, what do i look out for?

appreciate your help - cheers simon

[Razaiel]

Basically just a miserable looking lizard - may hide away a lot - seem to sleep excessively - could have sunken eyes - and not eat. Not much puts a monitor off its food for long. If he's active like you say, might just be one of those things. What are your temps?

[boost-boy74]

Originally Posted by Razaiel

Basically just a miserable looking lizard - may hide away a lot - seem to sleep excessively - could have sunken eyes - and not eat. Not much puts a monitor off its food for long. If he's active like you say, might just be one of those things. What are your temps?

hi, temps are 84f cool - 95f hot going to get a bigger basking lamp today....before all this started i had some slate in the viv for him to bask on, but i removed them and replaced with wood - since then hes been off his food thinking about it - maybe the rocks were heating up and giving off some extra heat - have put them back in now to see.....cheers si

[Razaiel]

Yes - I've found rocks do give off (and retain) more heat.

Rather than one big wattage basking light (which can dehydrate sav) you may find it better to have a bank of 2-3 smaller wattage ones. I have 3 in my 8x4x4 viv and will give me a basking temp of up to 145 with ambients of 75 cool end and 90 hot end.

[boost-boy74]

Originally Posted by Razaiel

Yes - I've found rocks do give off (and retain) more heat.

Rather than one big wattage basking light (which can dehydrate sav) you may find it better to have a bank of 2-3 smaller wattage ones. I have 3 in my 8x4x4 viv and will give me a basking temp of up to 145 with ambients of 75 cool end and 90 hot end.

yes will try that and see how i go....thanks

rocks are now back in the viv - going to try him on a mouse later and see if he will take that - how long can they go without eating?

cheers simon

[Razaiel]

I can't really remember but I know mine hid away a lot more when in a big shed so didn't eat as much - it may have been a week - but he had a bit of fat stored in his tail so didn't seem to lose any weight.

[boost-boy74]

Originally Posted by Razaiel

I can't really remember but I know mine hid away a lot more when in a big shed so didn't eat as much - it may have been a week - but he had a bit of fat stored in his tail so didn't seem to lose any weight.

thanks - he ate a mouse last night early hours

still not that bothered by his locusts - will that come in time?

si

[DCsnake_charmer]

WOW Thanks. I might get him. I love challenges!!!! Plus he was so handsome

[Turtle Bum]

I need help!

My pet shop has a young Savannah Monitor, approx 9 inches long, the pet shop have had him/her for approx 5 months and he has a small lump on his back.
I need to know what this is as the owner has said that as he cannot sell a sick animal he will give him/her to me, but i dont feel i can give this animal what it needs - at the moment i may be able to accomodate him/her but when he/she begins to grow at speed, I will not be able to provide for him/ her.

I take in sick or neglected reptiles anyway, and would be able to keep him or her for a year at the most, but what do i do then? Once i have had this animal a year i will not be able to get rid as i get very close with my animals. I simply do not trust myself!
I have contacted rescue centres adn zoos as I am aware of the neglect these animals face, due to thir size and temperament (if not tamed).

If this animal is not rehomed he will grow huge and be left in the petshop for his entire life. I cannt stand the thought of that so i thought if i cant home him, i will find somewhere who can.

The zoos have said no, as they do not wish to take in sick animals, one of the reptile rescue places i have contacted has got back to me as well, and he has said he needs to see it before he can comment.
I get the feeling no one wants to get involved with these amazing animals!

I love them and would love to take him/her in, but am worried, as my electricity and heating bills are high enough as they are with the others i have - will another heated viv make much difference? and if not, would i be able to let him roam ouside of his viv? I am worried if i do this he will not get the heat he needs...?

Help....(please do not tell me to take him to the RSPCA!)

T x

[Aimo]

Really informative read, I'm new to RFUK but not reptiles, i think one of the problems is people for what ever reason decide they want a lizard, snake or whatever but dion't know the first thing about them but armed with a fistful of cash wander into their nearest shop &, how can I put it, in some cases get taken for a ride or given advise from some snotty nosed kid who works part time & probably knows little more than them. I'm not trying to paint all reptile shops with the same brush, some/most give fantadstic advise but others will sell to any thing to anybody for a quick buck, this might sound cynical, or maybe I'm just grumpy, but I'm afraid its true, as you say it's not helpful when you see a lethargic lizard in a tank it can barely move about in & the goon behind the counter can't take your money quick enough. I don't know the answer to the problem but if the so called experts gave good advise then 'm sure we'd see a reduction in "For sale" columns.