By Savannah monitors are a popular species of pet lizard, known for their inquisitive nature and fascinating appearance. However, providing the correct diet for these reptiles is essential to ensure their health and longevity. In this comprehensive feeding guide, we will explore the best foods for Savannah monitors, feeding schedules, portion sizes, supplementation, and more.
Table of Contents
Understanding Savannah Monitors
Savannah monitors (Varanus exanthematicus) are a medium-sized species of monitor lizard native to Africa. They are sometimes referred to as Bosc’s monitors, named after the French scientist Louis Bosc. These reptiles prefer living in burrows near bushes or low trees and have a distinct appearance, characterized by their powerful limbs, robust build, and strong jaws.
As carnivorous reptiles, Savannah monitors primarily consume insects and other invertebrates in the wild. In captivity, it is crucial to replicate their natural diet as closely as possible to ensure optimal health.
Best Foods for Savannah Monitors: Insects and Invertebrates
Over 95% of a Savannah monitor’s diet should consist of feeder insects. These insects should be gut-loaded and dusted with calcium and multivitamin supplements before feeding to ensure proper nutrition. Here are some of the best foods for Savannah monitors:
- Phoenix worms/Calci worms: These have an ideal calcium to phosphorus (Ca:P) ratio of 1.5:1, so you can skip calcium/vitamin dusting.
- Crickets: Full-grown, full-winged crickets measuring approximately 1 inch (2.54 cm) are suitable.
- Mealworms
- Superworms or Morio/King worms: Offer these less frequently due to their high-fat content (18%).
- Silkworms: These have a low-fat content (1%).
- Tomato hornworms: With a low-fat content of 3%, these worms make a healthy option.
- Buffalo worms: Offer these less often as they have a high-fat content (24%). Avoid offering their beetles.
- Earthworms and nightcrawlers: Ensure that these are not bait worms.
- Roaches: Dubia, Madagascar Hissing roaches, Turkestan, Six-spotted roaches (high fat at 27%), Lobster roaches (can fly, so a secure container is needed), and False Death Head Roaches are all suitable options.
- Grasshoppers and locusts
- Butterworms: Offer these less often due to their high-fat content (29%).
- Waxworms: Feed these infrequently due to their high fat content (25%).
- Snails: Offer these as a treat, but ensure they are not wild-caught, as they can carry parasites.
Treats and Occasional Foods
While the majority of your Savannah monitor’s diet should consist of insects, you can occasionally offer treats such as eggs, lean meats, and snails. Offer these treats once every 2-3 months or less frequently to prevent obesity and nutritional imbalances.
- Eggs: Both cooked chicken and quail eggs can be offered as a treat.
- Lean meats: Cooked ground turkey and chicken breast are suitable options.
- Mice: Offer pre-killed or frozen-thawed mice infrequently as a treat.
- Fish: Use caution when offering fish, as they can carry parasites. Offer fish as a rare treat only.
Foods to Avoid
It is essential to avoid feeding your Savannah monitor the following foods, as they can lead to obesity, nutritional deficiencies, and other health issues:
- Rodents and other meats: Regular consumption of these foods can cause obesity, gout, renal failure, and a reduced lifespan.
- Raw chicken: This meat is nutritionally unbalanced and high in fats, which can lead to obesity.
- Vegetables and fruits: Savannah monitors are primarily carnivorous and should not be fed plant-based foods.
- Wild-caught prey: These animals can carry parasites, toxins, and pesticides that can harm your Savannah monitor.
Feeding Schedules and Portion Sizes
The frequency and portion size of your Savannah monitor’s meals will depend on its age, weight, and overall health. The following feeding schedule guide can help you determine how often to feed your pet:
| Age of Savannah Monitor | Size | Feeding Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Hatchling to baby | Up to 1 foot long (30 cm) TL | Every day to every other day |
| Sub-adult, growing into an adult | 1-2 feet long (30-61 cm) TL | 2-3 times a week |
| Adult | 2-4 feet long (61-122 cm) TL | 1-2 times a week or even less |
Keep in mind that this is a general guide, and individual Savannah monitors may require adjustments to their feeding schedules based on their specific needs.
Food Size for Savannah Monitors
It is essential not to offer prey items that are too large for your Savannah monitor to swallow. Use the following guidelines to ensure you are providing appropriately sized food:
- Insects: Choose insects that are no larger than your monitor’s head.
- Mice: Offer fuzzy or pinkie mice to young Savannah monitors and larger mice to older individuals. Avoid feeding large rats.
Supplements and Nutrition
Ensuring that your Savannah monitor receives the appropriate vitamins and minerals is crucial for its health. The following supplements should be added to your pet’s diet:
- Calcium powder: Dust insects with calcium powder every time or every other time you feed your monitor. Choose calcium without vitamin D3.
- Multivitamin: Sprinkle a multivitamin on your monitor’s food once a week or twice a month.
Calcium to Phosphorus Ratio
A proper Ca:P ratio is necessary for your Savannah monitor’s overall health. Aim for a 2:1 or 3:1 calcium-to-phosphorus ratio in their diet. Most feeder insects have more phosphorus than calcium, so gut-loading and dusting insects with calcium powder is necessary.
UVB Lighting and Vitamin D
Savannah monitors require UVB lighting in their enclosure to synthesize vitamin D, which is essential for calcium absorption and regulation. Install a UVB tube or mercury vapor bulb in the tank to provide the necessary lighting. Replace tubes every 12 months and bulbs every 6-12 months, depending on the manufacturer’s instructions.
Water and Hydration
Savannah monitors need access to fresh drinking water at all times. Provide a water dish or small tub filled with enough water for your pet to soak in. Ensure the water level is not higher than your monitor’s head and nostrils. Change the water daily to maintain cleanliness.
Savannah Monitor Feeding Tips
- Avoid placing too many live crickets in the tank at once, as this can stress your monitor.
- Prepare food and feeding tongs before opening your monitor’s cage.
- Place worms and roaches on a dish to prevent them from hiding in the tank.
- Allow your monitor to catch crickets in the tank for exercise.
- Use long feeding tongs when offering food to your monitor.
- Offer only pre-killed or frozen-thawed rodents for ethical reasons and to reduce the risk of parasites.
- Do not feed your Savannah monitor any vegetables, fruit, meat, or organ meat, as these can cause obesity and other health issues.
By following this comprehensive feeding guide, you can ensure that your Savannah monitor receives the proper nutrition it needs to thrive in captivity. With a well-balanced diet and appropriate care, your pet lizard can live a happy and healthy life.