Best substrate for a savannah

[Jhussey]

What substrate do you guys recommend for a savannah? Should I treat it with something like prevent a mite like I do for my BP's?

Thanks!

[suzuki4life]

What substrate do you guys recommend for a savannah? Should I treat it with something like prevent a mite like I do for my BP's?

Thanks!

dirt....

[bsash]

I used to use a half dirt half sand mixture for mine, but then I switched to the excavator clay because it holds the burrows better. However, the clay gets expensive as the enclosures get bigger, but I still think it is very nice. Just my personal opinion.

[Jhussey]

Thanks for the info! I've heard of people using a clay/dirt mix or sand/dirt mix to help with burrowing. Thanks alot.

[CoolioTiffany]

Some people will use a mixture of spahgnum peat moss and dirt or a soil and sand mix to keep the humdity up. Normally I see Savs kept on cypress mulch to keep the humidity up, but most prefer the dirt mix.

[bsash]

Thanks for the info! I've heard of people using a clay/dirt mix or sand/dirt mix to help with burrowing. Thanks alot.

No problem, just thought that I would throw it out there, I know a lot of people don't use it because of the price with bigger cages. I don't mix my clay with dirt, but I love it.

Oh, as for you other question about treating the substrate before putting it in the enclosure, I never did, but I also have to say that my monitors haven't ever had mites before.

[Jhussey]

Some people will use a mixture of spahgnum peat moss and dirt or a soil and sand mix to keep the humdity up. Normally I see Savs kept on cypress mulch to keep the humidity up, but most prefer the dirt mix.

How high should the humidity be? I keep finding mixed feeling on this topic. Some books/site say they need about 50-75% others say as long as they have a tub of water large enough to soak in, don't worry about it.

[bsash]

I keep my humidity at 60% and always have dishes that they can comfortably fit in and submerge as well. I don't think you should go by what you heard. Humidity is very important, and a water dish just doesn't cut it, no matter how big it is.

[CoolioTiffany]

How high should the humidity be? I keep finding mixed feeling on this topic. Some books/site say they need about 50-75% others say as long as they have a tub of water large enough to soak in, don't worry about it.

I would say around 60%-70% at the most, try to keep it near 60% and no lower than 50%. But I do agree with having the tub of water, not because of humidity but because they love to have a nice soak sometimes or just run through their water. Though, you will find yourself changing the tub daily because of how much substrate the Sav will kick in there.

[Jhussey]

Awesome info thanks! What's the best way to keep the humidity up then? With my Iggies I spray the habitat 3x a day with a mist bottle and that holds it around 80%. I'm not really sure what the natural air humidity is, but I live in Indiana if that helps.

Thanks!