savannah monitor feeding

roachpunk · #1 (**permalink**) 01-21-2003, 02:08 AM

my savannah's just big enough to swallow a full grown mouse and he's getting a bit big for crickets. what should I feed him now? feeder roaches? ive heard dog food is goo, if thats tru, what kind?
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BWSmith · #2 (**permalink**) 01-21-2003, 03:02 AM

Dog food is not very good for monitors because of the high fat. Plus, you DO NOT want to clean up droppings after dog food, trust me [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img] If he is too big for crickets, I would try the appropriate sized feeder mouse or rat. If possible, stick to rats (rat pinkies are about the size of hopper mice). Rats are much more nutricious. Since he is a carnivore, you want to get him on rodents.
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Shadrach · #3 (**permalink**) 01-21-2003, 03:39 AM

Yeah BW hit this one on the head take him up to the next level go ahead and go with rodents!
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roachpunk · #4 (**permalink**) 01-25-2003, 01:07 AM

k, i fed him a mouse 2 days ago, now how often do i feed him mice?
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BWSmith · #5 (**permalink**) 01-25-2003, 01:59 AM

I would think after he goes to the bathroom. Remember that monitors will gererally eat as much as you offer them and are thus prone to be really obese, which is not healthy. This will probably end up being once or twice a week depending on the animal.
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talon · #6 (**permalink**) 01-25-2003, 04:20 AM

savanah monitors are primarily insectivores! he will never get to big for bugs! Just feed him more! check out proexotics caresheet! I feed my savanah (bout 3 foot and growing) rats, worms, crickets, roaches and meal worms. I try to stay away from the rats because itm only leads to an obese monitor. (even with excercise) please! please! Do not give up feeding crickets or insects in general thats what their diet should be.
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BWSmith · #7 (**permalink**) 01-25-2003, 06:31 AM

Just one of the many books I have on monitors (and other herps over my desk. Savannah Monitors by John Coborn. I know it is just one on many but here is a quote from page 25:
<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font class="pn-sub">Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT class="pn-sub"><BLOCKQUOTE> Bt far the best foods for medium-sized to adult monitors are mice, small rats and young chickens, allof which may be given dead and whole</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>

From Richard Wynne's
Lizards in Captivity
<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font class="pn-sub">Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT class="pn-sub"><BLOCKQUOTE>FOOD: Eats rodents, birds, insects and smaller reptiles </BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>

But I am not one to go simply by one written word. I don't at this time have the time or the energy to search for other examples at this time, but i present this............ Have you ever worked with adult monitors, paticularly Savannahs? Are you trying to tell me that 4" wide jaws and at least hundred pounds per square inch of pressure is designed for insects? Just like many herps, their diet changes with age and size. But also with many herps, a varied diet is preferable. But gram for gram, I highly doubt that monitor can get the needed nutriants from a large supply of insects. This includes the ruffage such as bone or feathers that an adult monitor needs.
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talon · #8 (**permalink**) 02-10-2003, 03:22 AM

Sorry for the delay in the post but roachpunk said it can just get down an adult mouse correct? this would indicate a SMALL juvenile monitor. their are many people that only feed their monitors rodents or raw meat but I DON"T suggest this. YES, bigger monitor bigger prey. My monitor gets small rats for the majority of his diet. I'm just trying to give the advice that a young monitor should be feeding on insects for the majority of the diet. not to mention the benifit of the excercise your monitor gets and needs from chasing all those crickets down! I don't diagree with you one bit BWSMITH and i apologize for not being more specific in my last post.
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