New Savannah into Rescue

[CTReptileRescue]

The CT Reptile Rescue just accepted this new arrival:

He is still unnamed and please do not mind his enclosure. This photo is his on sight arrival photo. He had his fecal and blood run today for parasites and what not. I'm just trying to give him a bit of a break.
(Imagine being transported and then someone comes and takes you for a DR's visit, no fun)
He seems in good health. (Fecal looked good and clean surprisingly)
He is active. We are just waiting to see what his personality is. Cute lil bugger thou huh?
He is apparently 3 to 4 years of age (as per the original owner); upon measurement he is about a foot and a half. (Again don't want to stress the poor thing more then needed)
Anyhow, we love Varanids here at the C.R.R.
I'll try and post more pics once he is settled in a bit.
Thanks
Rusty

[CTReptileRescue]

So he is actually a she. A possible name (still up in the air) would be Sandy.
She has actually eaten well. And is pretty calm, compared to what the original owner was saying. I'll try and grab some photos tonight. She has some really nice color now that she is cleaned up and on mulch instead of sand. We measured her at about 20 inches (snout to tip).
Rusty

[Boanerges]

She looks good in the picture already. I can't wait to see what she looks all cleaned up Good job on the rescue too

[Mettle]

3 or 4 years old and only 20"? WOW. So tiny.

Glad to see that she's a wel mannered little girl at the moment. Definitely makes for an easier adoptee that's for sure. I've met a couple really mean savs before - but then, a couple that are big sweet hearts. Let's hope she stays the latter for ya!

I know you said the enclosure was temporary while you got her settled in a bit better. Any shots of what her more permanent home looks like?

[mumps]

Wow, tiny for sure.

I have seen rescues at the local reptile zoo that have come in much worse condition, sadly. Some of the things I've seen make you shudder (I'm sure you have as well being a rescue organization).

There's a sav there now with burns, a weirdly shaped snout and hip bones showing with a really lean tail. It has improved in the last week, which is good, but it's so hard for me not to bring it home (I foster a lot of their stuff to help out).

Chris

[Boanerges]

How big should they be at that age?

[CTReptileRescue]

Sav's can be approx 2-3ft by 3 yrs of age. Depending on feeding. Some owners have a tendency to feed heavy in the early years to bulk the monitor up in that case by 3 to 3.5 feet. (just from my experiences, someone who breeds or keeps em might have a different opinion)
Rusty

[mumps]

Can't really speak on exanthematicus from experience as I've never kept them, but the other species which I have kept (and a varanid is a varanid IMO), growth is much quicker than that.

I currently am raising an ornate monitor which is almost 10 months old. It is currently almost 3 feet long, if not it is. It eats daily, is very active and is a true joy to work with (captive bred monitors are SO worth the extra big price tag). Monitors are active, intelligent voracious predators that grow quickly. I would think that a sav would be at least 2-3 feet by the time it is a year old.

Most keepers of savs don't realize the huge appetite, high basking temps (130F minimum) and large environments required by these fascinating reptiles, and it shows in the animals that I have seen, far outnumbering the properly cared for specimens, unfortunately.

Chris

[CTReptileRescue]

Can't really speak on exanthematicus from experience as I've never kept them, but the other species which I have kept (and a varanid is a varanid IMO), growth is much quicker than that.

I currently am raising an ornate monitor which is almost 10 months old. It is currently almost 3 feet long, if not it is. It eats daily, is very active and is a true joy to work with (captive bred monitors are SO worth the extra big price tag). Monitors are active, intelligent voracious predators that grow quickly. I would think that a sav would be at least 2-3 feet by the time it is a year old.

Most keepers of savs don't realize the huge appetite, high basking temps (130F minimum) and large environments required by these fascinating reptiles, and it shows in the animals that I have seen, far outnumbering the properly cared for specimens, unfortunately.

Chris

Thank you Chris. I never get them as lil bits, (Would love if I did, Varanids of any kind are my fav's).
She may only be 20 inches but she is full of personality. I am unsure, It is so hard to trust orig. owners when they give you info. I have to rely on what they usually say. Accept this time I asked where she was purchased from and was able to track with help of the owner of said mom and pop shop.
She is doing so well thou, We just had her out today. She seems so happy and healthy now that she is receiving the heat she needs.
Not biting (hissing,) but not snapping. I think she will be just fine...

3 or 4 years old and only 20"? WOW. So tiny.

Glad to see that she's a wel mannered little girl at the moment. Definitely makes for an easier adoptee that's for sure. I've met a couple really mean savs before - but then, a couple that are big sweet hearts. Let's hope she stays the latter for ya!

I know you said the enclosure was temporary while you got her settled in a bit better. Any shots of what her more permanent home looks like?

She was brought to us in a 30 gallon (yes in with the sand etc, the orig Owner was scared to touch) Even when I tried to explain by phone on how to transport.
She is now in a temporary 75G. This month we are going to be building a multitude of cages. (That is why I was able to take her in).
We have a room that is open. (Thank goodness)
Her cage will be a wall type cage built out of treated wood (I've done this in the past with no problem).
The enclosure will be 8ft X 4FT X 4FT
It may be a bit bigger then needed for a Sav. But our resident Blackthroat "Digger" will be in the same "Stack". Might as well make a few cages the same size to fit the room.... More room the better I figure.
My brother is coming up next week or so to help with the building. Once they are completed I'll do my best to post some pics.
Rusty

[Boanerges]

Kudo's to you Rusty