Feeding new baby monitor

[Dehlol]

Ok setup for now but that will probably only last him for 3-4 months but I'm sure everyone has said that already.

My suggestions would be to cover the top partially with plywood, add another 4-6 inches of a 70% dirt 30% sand mixture, put 2 50 watt flood lights in, 1 UVB 5.0 bulb, and for now black out 3 sides of the cage with a towel, 4 sides would be better. 75wts is pretty much max for any tank that I would recommend and honestly its not needed if you use multiple 50 watt floods. The key is to just elevate basking spots closer to the light to raise temps like your doing. I'd recommend going out and finding a large creek rock (bowling ball-watermelon size), sanitizing it and throwing that in there. That will retain heat alot better then the wood, and its safer. Also, if you dont already have them, pick up a PE temp gun (pro exotics) and two accurite thermometers (walmart).

I'm curious as to what experience you have with varanids that you claim this will work for a few months?? Anyone who's had any experience knows this simply isn't the case.

Ironpython, I'm going to treat you just the same as any other random newbie monitor keeper- again because I care more about the animal than I do your ego, pride, or the like.

Your killing your monitor. Lets go over why everything you are doing is bad. Step by step.

Your cage is a joke. Fish tanks are for.... *drumroll* FISH!!! They are not suitable for monitors in any capacity. They do not hold adequate heat/moisture for the animal to grow properly. It simply isn't possible in a glass/plexi fish tank. On top of the environmental issues- you have to realize- 4 open sides/open top = stress. You may not think he's stressed, but he likely is. He's a lizard not a dog.

Handling.. Again, stress, your son is picking this animal up in the most vulnerable time in its life and carrying him around in his shirt. Not only do you not have proper temperatures outside of the cage (or in it, with your cage), but you're stressing him, and only leading to future problems later in his life. They can/will hold grudges if you force handle them as youngsters, and can turn into some nasty adults.

Hand feeding. Oh boy where to go here! I have 2 monitors at the moment, I've raised dozens to adulthood. Just because you can now doesn't mean anything. Monitors are tough little tanks, sometimes they will endure the stress of hand feeding- just so they don't starve to death. A healthy hungry monitor is an absolute mess to say the least. Mine see me walking to the enclosure with food, and start leaping around, clawing at the doors, biting everything that moves. Surely you don't want this to be your sons fingers? An adult sav can and will do some decent damage to his hand if he gets a good grip on it. It's absolutely a bad idea, don't let him do it because he thinks its cute. Educate him properly.

Sell that aquarium. Honestly it's not expensive to build a 6x3x3 or 8x4x4 plywood cage and seal it. Toss in 2' of sand/dirt substrate to burrow in, keep it hot and humid, basking temps of 130-140F are ideal. Go hands off and feed a varied diet. You'll be shocked as to how your monitor starts to behave when it's kept properly, and how large it will get in a short amount of time.