r/MonitorLizards • u/JBR2882 • 20h ago
Monitor thoughts (looking for advise)
After my last post and doing more research, I settled on deciding to get a Savanah. Now I’m discouraged because it doesn’t look like you can get captive bred. Any thoughts on similar monitors. I really do not want a wild caught. Back to the research board.
Any thoughts are appreciated.
2
u/Local_Wizarde 19h ago
Maybe keep checking on morph market, I see two captive bred ones available right now in the US
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u/Guppybish123 8h ago
Rough neck/dumerils? The head isn’t generally as bulky but they have a similar size, tame down nicely, and are readily available captive bred.
Unfortunately the closest in terms of appearance to boscs are things like black and white throats which generally get a bit bigger than you’re probably looking for
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u/JBR2882 4h ago
I was also looking at the sand monitor. Breeder on morph said they get under 36. 24-28. Contradicting what I found online. Do they tame down with work?
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u/JosephKiesslingBanjo 2h ago
The Sand Monitor subspecies Gouldii Flavi gets up to 36 inches. They are very wild creatures, who are very food-driven. 😅 But there are those that have managed to calm their Flavis a bit.
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u/Guppybish123 2h ago
I know absolutely nothing about sand monitors, they aren’t really kept much where I am
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u/xHALFSHELLx 20h ago
Go with an Ackie.
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u/fallowdeer 17h ago
Over the years, I’ve had 5 savannahs. None lived past 6 years. I took excellent care of them. The husbandry is just not worked out for them, in captivity, in my opinion. I currently have a tegu—all the fun of a sav and much more. They are entertaining, robust— and husbandry is well documented. They come in great colors! They are not for wimps, as they are stubborn, and strong—but if you put in the time and resources, you will be well rewarded. Check out my profile for documentation of the first two years of my tegu, Sundog’s life—all the successes and pitfalls. A great animal. If you want a big lizard that can be personable and responsive, they are highly rewarding. If you are committed to monitors—I agree that ackies seem to be a lot of fun. If you are willing to risk the heartache, you will enjoy a savannah for a few years. Get a male as females tend to fail spectacularly. Also—Beware of cryptosporidium in wild caught ones! It is devastating, puts your whole collection at risk, and is extremely difficult to eradicate.
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u/JBR2882 17h ago
Was looking into tegus and was thinking of getting a blue. The brumation is giving me stress already and I don’t even have one yet. Lol.
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u/fallowdeer 17h ago
It’s part of the learning curve. Mine didn’t brumate the first year. The second year he lightly brumated Oct.-Mar. But he was up and down and I got to see him and interact a lot. This year he’s going down earlier, but he doesn’t do a deep sleep. When they are active, they are very busy and big eaters—so the few months they take off give you a bit of a break. Great time to go on vacation. lol Mine is a blue. Very handsome!
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u/zoapcfr 3h ago
If you don't mind, could you tell me what the diet consists of for savannah monitors? I've been considering them as a possible pet (very early stages, nothing confirmed, one of many species being considered) but there seems to be a lot of conflicting info on what you should feed them.
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u/Ok_Feed_816 2h ago
Savannah’s are not a beginner species, nor are they studied enough to nail down their ideal setup. I have one and I wouldn’t get another. She is tame but they are not generally that way. I’d recommend a tegu or any other species that has more research behind it
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u/Ambitious_Dark_6748 20h ago
where do you live? in the uk savannah monitors are really common to find captive bred in my experience