My New baby Savannah

[Boola]

Hey everybody. first post here on BP.net. A little about myself:

My name is Zac, I am a 31 year old Navy vet who has worked with reptiles since I was 8. A couple of years ago, I left a career as an Aircraft mechanic to become a Wildlife biologist. I am currently working toward my masters at Texas State University, and am currently involved in Nuisance animal relocation, as well as educational Children’s reptile shows.

I have a small collection (9 animals), as I like to focus more on quality care, than quantity. I have been thinking a long time about adding a monitor to my collection. I worked with several when I volunteered at NERD (I was stationed an hour north of them, in Maine) and fell in love with them. My girlfriend and I decided that a Savannah would fit our needs the best, as we currently rent a home, so building an enclosure for anything larger would be difficult, yet we wanted something that would eventually be captivating enough for the students at our reptile displays. I have always been fascinated with the intelligence of the savannah monitor and their enthusiasm in just about everything they do.

My Girlfriend surprised me the other day with a baby Sav that not only very good looking, but healthy from a local mom-and-pop pet shop. She also brought home top soil, crickets, a terra cotta pot, and a Lowes Gift Card. LOL

Right now, the little guy is in a 24"x18"x18" exo-terra, but plans and materials for an Adult setup are underway. His basking temps are currently at 134F, and the ambient temp in the Herp room is kept at 80. He has been eating steady on dusted Crickets, Dubia Roaches and earth worms. I spend a little time with him each morning and he is slowly becoming more bold, but only fractionally so. In the week I have had him, he has taken two items from the tongs, and eaten in front of me only 4 times, but he no longer bolts when I come in the room. I am letting him do his thing, on his terms. I hope to use him in shows later in life, but if that never happens, then so be it.

So without further rambling, meet my new addition: Dewback!

This bathtub was given to me by a friend. it was never used, but will soon be the basis for his adult cage. it is roughly 3.5’x5.5’.



Thanks for looking! and feel free to comment!