Bosc (Savannah?) Monitor

[Razaiel]

I wondered if anyone has one of these and what to expect?

My daughter works in the reptile section of our local garden center and we have a BP (which is really hers) and we've also had exerience with Beardies and currently Rankins. She, of course, has had experience handling all sorts of reptiles.

I haven't found much information on these lizards here on this forum - they are called Bosc Monitors here in the UK but I think are called Savannahs elsewhere. I know they can get larger and ours is going to be a baby so we'll be able to bring it up used to being handled etc. I understand they can be more prone to biting than beardies, but if they are well socialized as babies can be a nice lizard.

Any information on these would be really nice so we can do our best for him/her.

Sue

[Python-77]

Comming from a Monitor owner, Sav's really dont make great pets some will tame down with handling other will never tame down its a gamble. As for care needs they arent all that hard to care for over a Bearded just need a bigger enclosure as they get older 8'x3' would be about the min for a adult thats being fed a proper diet. There feeding needs are different than most monitors as they will stay on insects their entire life even in captivity they should be fed crickets, roachs and other insects, with rodents being more of a treat than a staple. If you have mosre spesific questions I can try and answer them for you Savs are one of my favorites.

[Razaiel]

Thanks, Sean

I had heard they can tame down with regular handling - I'm hoping this is the case with this one (it is coming as a baby so I'm hoping it will get used to us from a young age) I shall be handling him/her too. What is the best way of putting hands in to get him out? With my BP I talk to her and stroke her before lifting her up and try not to go overhead - the other lizards I just stick my hand in and grab - they don't mind

One thing I was wondering was UVA/UVB - the reptile shop said they don't need that - but would like some other input on this - all our other lizards have had UVA/UVB as essential. I was reading an article on the net yesterday regarding feeding of mice etc and thought maybe a couple of small pinkies a week and the rest of the time insects. I don't want a fat Sav LOL!

Thanks for answering!

Sue

[Jeanne]

Thanks, Sean

I had heard they can tame down with regular handling - I'm hoping this is the case with this one (it is coming as a baby so I'm hoping it will get used to us from a young age) I shall be handling him/her too. What is the best way of putting hands in to get him out? With my BP I talk to her and stroke her before lifting her up and try not to go overhead - the other lizards I just stick my hand in and grab - they don't mind

One thing I was wondering was UVA/UVB - the reptile shop said they don't need that - but would like some other input on this - all our other lizards have had UVA/UVB as essential. I was reading an article on the net yesterday regarding feeding of mice etc and thought maybe a couple of small pinkies a week and the rest of the time insects. I don't want a fat Sav LOL!

Thanks for answering!

Sue

I had a savanna monitor, he was quite young when I got him. Definately not a beginner lizard, muchless a beginner monitor. The adults I have been around that were handled regularly, they too were tempermental toward handling. And rarely have I heard of many "tame" ones. My understanding is that they stay tempermental so to speak.

The pet shop was totally wrong, these monitors REQUIRE UVA/UVB lighting in addition to hotter basking spots than bearded dragons. Most caresheets you find will tell you this. I personally would stick to feeding crix for proteins to keep this monitor growing, making pinkies a treat for only once a month and even then they would be limited.

[Python-77]

UVA/UVB with monitors is still a very debated subject many of the top breeders will say no you dont need it and many of them have been breeding and keeping them for long periods of time. Now I give mine UVB/UVA lighting for all my monitors as its not going to hurt them. Basking for a Savy is around 125* F with amb temps no less than 80*.

[Razaiel]

Thanks for your replies - the reptile guy (it's a specialist shop - they only sell reptiles) said only give pinky about once or twice a month when adult and mentioned the top basking temp as 120. He also recommended a narrow beam bulb for the basking light and took his time to explain all the set-up (sounds same as beardies except for the higher basking temp).

Well I went in with my daughter yesterday to see these baby monitors - and was completely unprepared at how savage the babies can be. The guy just opened the viv and they were hissing and threatening. He explained how they definitely aren't starter lizards and demonstrated how they will bite and not let go (I was wincing at this point) but daughter (she's 18 and like I said works with reptiles at a different place) hardly batted an eyelid. Her current boss (and friend) owned a Sav and his was exactly the same when little but grew up to be a nice lizard. Our reptile guy then put little Sav back which had calmed down by now and after the obligatory hand sanitizing took us to where their own adult was. Apparently this adult had been really bratty as a baby too but it is really cute now and loved to come out and cuddle up with him. So if we do get one I'm hoping this will be the case.

He said to get them out regularly and if (or more likely when!) they do bite just let them (I'm investing in some gloves!!) - don't put them back because they bite - and they will calm down and recognize the horrible big human isn't a threat. Regular handling seems to be the thing.