r/MonitorLizards • u/JBR2882 • 12h 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/xHALFSHELLx 12h ago
Go with an Ackie.
2
u/Local_Wizarde 11h ago
Maybe keep checking on morph market, I see two captive bred ones available right now in the US
1
u/fallowdeer 9h 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 9h 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 9h 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/Guppybish123 57m 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
3
u/Ambitious_Dark_6748 12h ago
where do you live? in the uk savannah monitors are really common to find captive bred in my experience