New lizard...

[Xeikeness]

Might be getting a new lizard tomorrow, my first monitor.

He's a Savannah monitor, about three feet, and while he isn't a "rescue" I'm at least doing him one heck of a service. He's 3' long and has lived his entire life in a 40 gallon breeder. He doesn't even have to stand all the way up on his back legs to rub his face on the screen top. Sigh.

When asked about husbandry, his current owner made no mention of a heating source, and he only eats 2 mice every couple days.

So, yeah. Gonna fatten him up and get him into a biiiiig cage with proper heat and all. I'm excited... I'll post pictures as soon as I get this baby un-stuck from my arm. LOL (got a nannying job for an infant, yay babies)

And for the record... It's really hard trying to be a productive part of this forum when I can only type and use the mouse with my left hand. I'm right handed. x_x

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[nicolenadia]

Oy, ha...typing with one hand is what I do nightly, while holding a monitor or a snake who is very active when the clock strikes 9pm.

Savs are so awesome! I'm excited for you! I am also happy to hear that you will be giving him a better quality of life. A 40 breeder is no place for a 3 foot sav. That upsets me.

How is his temperment? Has be been probed to determine gender? I had to have mine probed....male and female hemipenal areas look similar.

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[Xeikeness]

He has not been probed, not been vetted, and his current owner doesn't seem to care if it's male or female, but refers to it as a 'he'.

Yeah, his current caging upsets me, too.

His owner said, when asked about temperament, "He can be ([actual word not permitted on site] "slightly less than nice with a bit of attitude") sometimes." and left it at that.

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[nicolenadia]

My lips are sealed, but reptile owners like this person, should be.......I would be "not so nice", if I was cold also.....and crammed into a space comparable to my closet.

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[Xeikeness]

*snrk* no kidding.

I'm going to have to drive 2.5 hours round trip to pick it up. x.x

Now is one of those times I wish I knew how to drive, so I didn't have to call up my friends and go "hey hoooonnnneeeeeyyyyyy...... If I bought you lunch and cleaned your garage...."

LOL

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[razeraze]

I am not 100% sure why, but I know you should not have monitors probed. Perhaps crocdoc, mrcota or dzrider can explain why.

Sex organs are rather easy to tell apart if you know what you are looking for and absolutely sure you get a full eversion. The easiest way to tell male and female is females will lay eggs regardless of a mate and males (in my experience) tend to show their goods for a long time and then drag their vents on the floor leaving sperm residue.

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[nicolenadia]

yum....

My Vet just probed him when I took him in for a check up. I didn't ask any questions. lol

Xeinkeness, if I lived near you, I would drive you!

[Xeikeness]

He won't be probed. He'll be assumed male until proven otherwise.

But i found a ride and will be picking him up tomorrow.

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[_Sam_]

congrats on the new little... erm.. big guy!

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[DRZRider]

Congratulations on the new monitor. I look forward to seeing pictures.

Ed

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[razeraze]

"A number of more intrusive methods to detect hemipenes have been devised. A common method, used to sex many reptiles, is to probe very gently inside the vent with a lubricated, blunt, metal instrument (Honneger 1978 ). In theory, the probe will extend further in males than in females. The problems with this method are that most monitor lizards are too strong to allow the probes to be inserted without risk of damage, many females probe almost as deeply as males and the lizards appear to find the process extremely unpleasant. This is a method that can only be learned by direct observation of someone with experience. Other methods that are designed to forcibly evert the hemipenes require professional expertise (e.g. Balsai 1992). In general it is best not to interfere with the genitals of your lizards."
Advice on monitor lizards from mampam.com

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[nicolenadia]

I can't wait to see pictures of the new monitor!

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[Xeikeness]

'In general it is best not to interfere with your lizards genitals"

...

AMEN!

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[razeraze]

Dr. Bennett is pretty good at summing things up for the common keeper.

If anyone wants his book order it from him, it will help support his studies, and help you greatly understand savannah monitors.

Mampam Conservation - Home

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[nicolenadia]

Granted you have no interest in Tegus, in South America, they often live in colonies and are very social.....

[Xeikeness]

wrong thread? lol

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[nicolenadia]

oh my, you are right....."my bad"

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[TammyJamaica]

Xeikeness I am very happy for you.

I am sure he will have a great life from now on! Look forward to the pictures!

[nicolenadia]

Wait aren't we talking about tegus in another thread.....the same people....?
I'm having a geriatric moment.

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[razeraze]

Aunt Jemima has invaded.
sorry Xeikeness seems someone confused our threads.

Back on topic, do you have the cage all set up already? Can we at least get pictures of that?

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