Monitor lizard in a 90gal?

[Slippery K]

Well the savannahs are suprisingyly very easy to come by up here. Basicly every reptile store has them in stock, or can order one in. Its actualy the only monitors iv ever seen in person. I know the wifes brother used to keep iguanas in custom built enclosers. So im going to make a list of questions to ask him when I see him again in a few days. I know he used to have massive cages he built in his backyard for the iguanas to free roam in the summer. Maybe he still has some storred away, and if not im sure he can sit down with me and draw up some blue prints.

The enclosure is my only worry as im aware of the potential size these guys can reach. The wife has over 8 years expirence with reptiles, and many of our friends have lizards of their own. Iv already printed off about 20 pages of care information for them.

 

[A. gigas]

That's because they can be caught and imported from africa for about $5 and are then sold as a "good beginner monitor".. It's very, very profitable..

Most of the care info out there is garbage. The websites I would recommend are http://www.savannahmonitor.co/ and http://www.mampam.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=40&Itemid=87

There you will find proper, accurate information about their care, unlike the many "care sheets" out there that should be destroyed forever.

 

[Slippery K]

Ahh thank you, that site is awesome. Has all the information needed.

 

[A. gigas]

Another incredibly valuable resource is the book "The Savannah Monitor Lizard: The truth about Varanus exanthematicus". Hard copies are hard to come by, but I believe it is now an Ebook. I have a copy, and it truly is a great book about Savs.

 

[Slippery K]

Ok well im in the middle of building a stand for a new aquarium. So my next trip to the hardware store ill grab extra supplies for a 8x4x4 enclosure. Im positive I can fit something that size by the tanks if I move the growout tanks to a different spot. The other trouble will be keeping it a secret from the wife so she doesnt catch on to what im doing. Maybe I can get her dad to let me build and store it in his garage. I got to go there anyways to pick up her heat lamps and other stuff for the enclosure anyways. Thanks for the info guys.

 

[Wiggles92]

Ok well im in the middle of building a stand for a new aquarium. So my next trip to the hardware store ill grab extra supplies for a 8x4x4 enclosure. Im positive I can fit something that size by the tanks if I move the growout tanks to a different spot. The other trouble will be keeping it a secret from the wife so she doesnt catch on to what im doing. Maybe I can get her dad to let me build and store it in his garage. I got to go there anyways to pick up her heat lamps and other stuff for the enclosure anyways. Thanks for the info guys.

Here's an idea: Reinforce the monitor cage so that it can also be used as an aquarium stand. At 48" in height, it would still be short enough to use for aquariums that aren't super high.

 

[barberking12]

a sav is a good beginner monitor but just like any other monitor you have to have the time to work with them daily!!!! or not get one at all