Of what, a sav with splayed out ribs or my herps? I had to give up all my guys (long story)...but check out some pet savanna pics and you'll see the splaying, the monitors go about all flattened to the ground like those flat lizards from Africa. I always figured they were trying to create more surface area when basking...
Looks like you have competicion Varanio
- Thread starter coura
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Im confused is this a real ailment or just some obervation you made? I understand what splayed ribs are, but are you saying the lizards are like this all the time or just when basking....
RARE AFISHINADO;2641231; said:Im confused is this a real ailment or just some obervation you made? I understand what splayed ribs are, but are you saying the lizards are like this all the time or just when basking....
Just when basking ...
so I assume this is just a normal position when basking.... wouldnt it be wise for any basking animal to flatten itself to increase its ability to absorb heat. He made it sound like it was an ailment or a end result of improper husbandry.
RARE AFISHINADO;2641323; said:so I assume this is just a normal position when basking.... wouldnt it be wise for any basking animal to flatten itself to increase its ability to absorb heat. He made it sound like it was an ailment or a end result of improper husbandry.
Both of you are correct, yes they all do this to better use the surface are when basking, and this is seen when a monitor is healthy and unhealthy. They flatten and expand their rib areas to full expose themselves to better thermoregulate as fast as possible. (They cant afford to stay out in the sun for too long as most monitors do have predators).
Then there is the other end of the spectrum, extremely emaciated, parasite infested, and lacking sufficient bone supplement are all causes for monitors in general to have the aforementioned posed. That is in pure result of bad husbandry. People who dont feed whole foods get monitors with flimsy skeletal systems, and then their spine begins to sag and cause it to look like a healthy monitor basking. Parasite infested monitors also do this because their playing host to such an amount of parasitical invaders that it causes their immune system to also sag and inevitably cause them their life. And then lastly the case of extremely emaciated animals that are extremely dehydrated #1 also just can muster the strength to get themselves out of that position. Emaciation can also go in connection with the parasites, and usually is the case with imported wild caught animals.
The MBD portion of it has to do with lack of whole prey items.
Since were speaking of savannahs I think the combination of reason 2 and 3 are the most observed and those lucky enough to live long enough are usually well taken care of because they have lasted that long, but have seen some that were fed only pieces of meat or cat food that were just overly obese, and their skeletal system could not support the weight.
Alex pretty well covered it, the monitors I was speaking of look flat all the time, basking or not. Makes sense that it's a dietary rather than basking temp issue, as so many of these savs live on dog food etc. They have almost a sway back, as if they can't get their bellies off the ground when walking etc.
coura;2641606; said:Since were doing this sav talk, what is your opinion Varanio regarding the roedont vrs insect debate in savs diet?
A varied diet is the best method, mice and insects. Use moderation on the mice.... and you should be fine. Theyre not all out predators with a purpose, more opportunistic is a better way to put it.
