Savannah monitors are large, active lizards that require a spacious enclosure. The recommended enclosure size for an adult savannah monitor is 8 feet long, 4 feet wide, and 4 feet tall. The enclosure should also have a secure lid, adequate ventilation, and a temperature and humidity gradient.
The best insects for monitor lizards, include dubia roaches, hornworms, waxworms, superworms, mealworms, crickets, black soldier fly larvae, butterworms, and silkworms.
Savannah monitors are strict carnivores and should not be fed fruits or vegetables. While their diet in the wild is high in protein and low in carbohydrates, adding fruit to their diet can lead to health problems
The Savannah monitor (Varanus exanthematicus) is a species of lizard native to the savannahs of eastern and southern Africa. In the wild, these monitors are scavengers that cover large distances as they search for small prey items. Learn everything you need to know about caring for Savannah monitors, including enclosure size and design, dietary needs, temperature and humidity requirements, and more.
Feeding your Savannah Monitor a diet high in protein and low in fat is essential for proper nutrition. Vary their diet with gut-loaded insects and provide supplements, such as calcium and vitamin D3. A feeding schedule should be adjusted for age and size, with juvenile monitors requiring more frequent feeding.
Savannah monitors can eat eggs. Chicken and quail eggs, whether raw, cooked, with, or without shells, are all safe for Savannah monitors to consume. In the wild, monitor lizards regurarly prey on bird eggs and have also been observed feeding on eggs laid by other lizards and reptiles. Because eggs are a great source of protein and their shells primarily made of calcium, it is better to feed them whole.… Read More »Can Savannah monitors eat eggs?
Savannah monitors are mainly insectivores (= they mosly eat insects), but they can also eat fish on occasion. As a matter of fact, fish is one of the best sources of lean protein you can feed to your Savannah monitor. When choosing the best fish for Savannah monitor, it is best to opt for small, whole freshwater fish such as perch, tilapia, catfish (in moderation) and sunfish. You can also… Read More »Can Savannah monitors eat fish?
Caring for a monitor lizard is no easy feat as these animals require daily attention and specific environmental conditions in order to thrive and be happy. If you own a Savannah monitor or any big lizard, you need to make sure that they have daily access to food, water and entertainment, that their environment is clean and has adequate sources of light and heat, and to carry out health checks… Read More »Monitor Lizard Care Tips
Monitor lizards, on par with tegus, are amongst the most highly intelligent reptiles out there. If you are keeping a big lizard as a pet, you will be amazed by their inquisitive nature, memory and awareness. As smart creatures, though, they tend to get bored easily and it is important for you as a caregiver to provide enough stimuli to keep them intellectually stimulated. This is called “enrichment”, and can… Read More »Big Lizard Enrichment: How to entertain your Monitor Lizard
Monitor lizards are becoming increasingly common as pets and they can make for a great reptile companion under the right circumstances. These creatures are highly intelligent, quite interactive, and can be tamed and even trained. Keeping a monitor lizard is however a huge commitment, both in terms of time and costs, and caring for large, exotic wild animals is definitely not for everyone. Monitor Lizard Pets Many species of monitor… Read More »Can you keep a monitor lizard as a pet?