Food:
Since a Savannah Monitor will eat just about anything you put in front of him/her you should be aware of what constitutes a bad or good diet. I have tried to include enough information here so that you can make an informed decision when it comes to feeding.
Q: What do Savannah Monitors eat??
A: In the wild they feed mainly on insects. Specifically giant crickets and termites. Their teeth are designed for this food type. But they do have a very broad range of tastes including: scorpions, giant crickets, termites, snakes, smaller lizards, birds, rodents, fish, and crustaceans. However, many people are in disagreement over what to feed a captive specimen. One side seems to think that a diet of rodents is fine while the other side feels that an all insect diet is better. I have also read about people feeding a primarily turkey diet. This includes some zoos. |
Approximate Age: 10-11 months.
This video shows my Savannah Monitor snatching a cricket from my finger tips. A steady hand ensures an accurate aim. |
...The San Diego Zoo Diet is described here under... A New Alernative.
http://lllreptile.com/info/library/care-and-husbandry-articles/-/notes-on-the-feeding-of-monitor-lizards/
I have had great success feeding my monitor a diet of primarily fish supplemented with crickets and large grasshoppers.
Here is why I chose to go this route:
If a Savannah Monitor feeds primarily on insects in the wild, and insects are mostly protein, combined with the fact that these lizards need calcium, it seems logical to me that fish would be a good food staple for a captive monitor. Fish are high in protein and contain vitamins like Iron & Calcium. You can buy it frozen and keep enough around so as not to feel overwhelmed by your pets necessary intake. It is also much easier to store than live rodents or insects. And frozen guarantees that it stays fresh. My monitor loves fish.
Normally I would hand feed but for the sake of getting my shot I opted for both hands on the tripod.
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Q: How do you prepare your monitors food??
A: I cook his fish in the microwave and then let it cool down before I hand feed him. I use a small dish and when I am ready to feed I move to the opposite side of the room and call him. He eagerly trots over and I give him a bite of fish. I repeat this as many times as I have pieces. This not only encourages him to get more exercise but also is part of his training. This technique, I believe, helps familiarize him to my voice and hands. I can see how over time he has become more relaxed around me. |
Q: How much & how often do you feed??
A: Normally I feed every other day. Usually half a frozen fish. But this can change based on his intake needs. I pay close attention to his behaviour and adjust accordingly. It is a balance between nutritional input and physical output. It's actually pretty easy to tell when he needs to be fed more or more often. Obviously the more exercise he gets the more food he actually needs. And of course the less active he is the less food he requires.
A: Normally I feed every other day. Usually half a frozen fish. But this can change based on his intake needs. I pay close attention to his behaviour and adjust accordingly. It is a balance between nutritional input and physical output. It's actually pretty easy to tell when he needs to be fed more or more often. Obviously the more exercise he gets the more food he actually needs. And of course the less active he is the less food he requires.
Obesity & Health:
Q: Can a Savannah Monitor become fat??
A: Yes. Without proper exercise and if not fed properly or too much it can affect your monitors weight/ stored fat. This can lead to serious health issues because these lizards store fat in their liver. Too much fat can be fatal.
PLEASE NOTE: A monitor will eagerly eat hot dogs and other processed meats. This is NOT a good idea. The fat & preservatives found in these products can cause serious health issues for your pet.
Q: Can a Savannah Monitor become fat??
A: Yes. Without proper exercise and if not fed properly or too much it can affect your monitors weight/ stored fat. This can lead to serious health issues because these lizards store fat in their liver. Too much fat can be fatal.
PLEASE NOTE: A monitor will eagerly eat hot dogs and other processed meats. This is NOT a good idea. The fat & preservatives found in these products can cause serious health issues for your pet.
All photos & videos by John Kleinknecht - Copyright © 2013 - All Rights Reserved Worldwide