So you want a Sav... ?

[rajagiri]

thanks for sharing your information

[Bosc&beardie]

The only reason I have a Bosc is because he was being kept by an idiot that didn't know what he was doing. He was very out of shape just like the owner . He was returned to Norwich Reptile Company that bought him back to full health. He is now very healthy and active but still a little snappy and he still whips every now and then but he is slowly coming to realize that he is not my food.

It is extremely important that you do your research I have seen hundreds of these animals being mistreated due to ignorance of the keeper. It doesn't help that they are so cheap and so readily available at shops that don't know themselves what the husbandry needs are of these guys let alone any other species for that matter. If you are in the Norfolk area there is one shop that truly knows there stuff and that's The Norwich Reptile Company. This isn't a plug it's just that there are not many around that can tell you absolutely everything about everything they sell.

I'll stop waffling know you'll be glad to hear. Cheers Oli

P.S. Everyone has to start some where and that place is a good book, vet or a reputable Herp Store.

[jenniee]

Hiya everyone , im new to this forum thingy , thought it would be wise that i joined , as i have aquired a baby savannah monitor , im still unsure of the sex but im sure its male , he was originally a friend of mines , but my friend is now off travelling the world ! I decided i would take on the baby sav , i have had him for just over a month , and he is amazing , he is so entertaining , and cute . . . i know he wont stay this way very long , as they are extremely fast growers , if cared for right ! I am currently reading the Savannah Monitors book by Mark K. Bayless , which is very usefull , but i cant seem to understand why he keeps "sneezing" which he has been doing since he was in the care of my friend. Its not constant, just every now and then, I have been told it could be 1 of 2 things , either he is annoyed or its due to breathing difficulty . would be gratefull if anyone could point me the right direction so i can sort this out .
I have also been told that if he has a breathing difficulty that he wont be very active ect , but this isnt the case , he is on the move all the time , he eats and drinks and deficates properly , and i regually check him for any parasites, his eyes are clear and has no problems with his tail , he seems in perfect health . Most people on here have a hell of alot more experience than me , but i am determined to gain experience and give my sav the best care i can , i give him all the attention he could possibly need . He is never left alone , always has clean water and has plenty of exercise. He is very clever (which i know these lizards are) he knows who i am and that i wont hurt him , i know he trusts me , or he wouldnt sleep in bed with me right ? Would be a great help if someone could give me a bit of info to help sort this problem .
Thanks

[Nawien]

Hey, I just got a 3 year old Bosc girl and she does exactly same sneezing thing every now and then, she is very calm and friendly monitor comes out for cuddles and a big softie really,so i doubt she does it when annoyed..And she is very active too.She also does this sigh sound like a deflated tyre, not hiss but like there is something in her throat.. I spoke to a vet and couple of very reputable reptile shop owners and they said that it could be due to dust, or respiratory problems.. She is clear though, I mean she hasn't got any boubbles around her mouth or nose, or other simptoms..but if it's an early stage of respiratory problem, its very hard to spot as it starts in lungs.. Check the temperatures in the viv and keep an eye on your one, really. Or you can always take it to vet to be on the safe side..

*Whispering* Or may be it's just the thing they do,, dogs sneeze and frogs yawn..
I would like to listen some opinions on this case too. Thanks

[CreepyCrumpet]

Excellent post, I have found allot of contradicting information online but this and everyone’s reactions to me have cleared it all up

I have just picked up a baby Bosc yesterday, I am well aware of the patience, time, space and respect these reptiles need and deserve, I am prepared to fork out allot of extra money a week now on top of my food budget, and also am aware of the patience I will need for handling him and am not expecting for him to tame down, I wouldn’t complain if my magic did worked on him of course but I’m ready for him to be a challenge from now until well always! And also prepared to have a 4ft plus strong intelligent lizard that may have a bit of a mood in a few years!

I am so excited about taking on this new venture with him and hope all of you experienced keepers won’t mind me badgering you for advice and with questions in the time to come!

[CreepyCrumpet]

Originally Posted by jenniee

Hiya everyone , im new to this forum thingy , thought it would be wise that i joined , as i have aquired a baby savannah monitor , im still unsure of the sex but im sure its male , he was originally a friend of mines , but my friend is now off travelling the world ! I decided i would take on the baby sav , i have had him for just over a month , and he is amazing , he is so entertaining , and cute . . . i know he wont stay this way very long , as they are extremely fast growers , if cared for right ! I am currently reading the Savannah Monitors book by Mark K. Bayless , which is very usefull , but i cant seem to understand why he keeps "sneezing" which he has been doing since he was in the care of my friend. Its not constant, just every now and then, I have been told it could be 1 of 2 things , either he is annoyed or its due to breathing difficulty . would be gratefull if anyone could point me the right direction so i can sort this out .
I have also been told that if he has a breathing difficulty that he wont be very active ect , but this isnt the case , he is on the move all the time , he eats and drinks and deficates properly , and i regually check him for any parasites, his eyes are clear and has no problems with his tail , he seems in perfect health . Most people on here have a hell of alot more experience than me , but i am determined to gain experience and give my sav the best care i can , i give him all the attention he could possibly need . He is never left alone , always has clean water and has plenty of exercise. He is very clever (which i know these lizards are) he knows who i am and that i wont hurt him , i know he trusts me , or he wouldnt sleep in bed with me right ? Would be a great help if someone could give me a bit of info to help sort this problem .
Thanks

Hey i just thought this snippet of info may be helpful to you, savs have salt secretion glands in the sinuses and you'll find a drop of salty water at the nostril of a sav any morning from that and possible additional from condensation of the breath. it's daily, normal and they usually snort it out first thing in the morning. it's salt water is all.
They also shed scales in the nostril that can make them sneeze, but that's a one-off deal at shedding time, not daily.

Hope your little on is doing well !

[strictly_scales]

For any potential Bosc Keepers out there, here are some feeding details. This is from my record book- I recorded what I fed 3 of my large Lizards over the period of a month. The animal in question was roughly 18 inches in length, female and going through a rapid period of growth. The animal is an appropriate weight for its size. The enclosure was a 4 foot by 18 inch by 18 inch Wooden Vivarium, with a Sun-GLO fluorescant and a 40 Watt Reflector Spot. The substrate was Aspen.

5/1/2009- 50 grams Cat Food mixed with Mealworms, supplemented.
6/1/2009- 1x Small Mouse
7/1/2009- 1x adult locust
10/1/2009- 3x Fuzzy mice
11/1/2009- 1x fuzzy mouse, supplemented mealworms
13/1/2009- 1x Waxworm
14/1/2009- 1x pink rat, 2x waxworms, 40 grams raw beef mixed with Land Snails and Mealworms, supplemented
16/1/2009- 30 grams lean beef mince, 3 large locusts
21/1/2009- 1x Large mouse, 1x fuzzy mouse
24/1/2009- 1x fuzzy mouse
26/1/2009- 4x Morios (supplemented), several mealworms
31/1/2009- 1x Rat pup
2/2/2009- 1x small fillet of cooked fish
4/2/2009- 1x rat weaner.

This is by no means an accurate representation of the typical monthly diet of this Lizard, it simply serves to give an impression of quantities and dietary variation.

[Ailsa]

Great read and fabulous advice
Thanks
I have a bosc, hes currently 18 inches
And I can gladly say he is well looked after

[Metzger]

Hey, couple of questions I would like to ask. Firstly and probably least important, The thermometer in my Bosc's viv has gone crazy and is letting it get far too warm (102 degrees ambient!) So ive disconnected it. Will the little lady be ok for a few days with just a heat mat whilst I sort a replacement/repair?
Secondly and most concerning she has taken to eating little stones in the top soil substrate. Shes a one year old in great condition, but over the past 3-4 days have noticed she will flick her tongue at a small stone (Equivalent to a very small pea), pick it up and swallow it. Has anyone come across this before? I was wondering if its something to do with digestion, as some birds eat stones to help them digest.. or does she just want to be awkward and try to suffer from impaction? Or do you reckon she can just see the baby crickets that have hatched in her tank and is going for them instead?
Any help would be great!

[shortyd2k]

just sat and read the whole thing the original poast to the last comment and all they way through i was thinking i reli want a bosc and i still do i am prepared for the comitment and i have spent ages reading loads and loads of care sheets thanks for all the info guys its been a big help