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 #2085479


Animalistic
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 Why is My Savannah Not Eating ! ! !

OK, I have a Savannah Monitor. I aquired him at a pet store about 3 months ago. Someone turned him in because the owner went to college and couldn’t care for him any more. There was no contact information for the owners so all I can do is go by what the pet store has told me about him. Basically all I know about his past is he is supposed to be about 6 years old, about 30" long, overweight, and was kept in a small 2’x3’ rabbit cage all his life. Once I aquired him, I built him a large enclosure (7’x3’x4’) with a large water tub. I am using "clean" potting soil mixed with play sand as a substrate. He has a cave with a heat element built in the top for warmth. Also a second level in the enclosure for a basking area that is about 100-105 deg.

I feed him mice twice a week. Sometimes I substitute the mice with raw ground turkey meatballs or a hard boiled egg. Sometimes I give him a few Large Superworms or a small goldfish as a treat. Also, I he gets fed on the second level about 90% of the time to try to avoid impaction. It is covered with indoor/outdoor carpet.

Up until this week he has been eating fine. Now, he won’t eat. It’s only been 4 days since his last mouse but, I’m worried. It’s not like him to turn down food. He is still as active as he usually is. Should I be worried yet?

Thanks in advance for any helpful info you can give me!
10/18/09  12:56pm

 #2085487


K. Jensen
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   Message To: Animalistic   In reference to Message Id: 2085479


 Why is My Savannah Not Eating ! ! !

No need to worrie yet...
My griseus sometimes don´t eat for 2 weeks and then start igen... If it is possible for you, maybe try feeding him with a few grashoppers.
10/18/09  01:21pm

 #2085490


Animalistic
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   Message To: K. Jensen   In reference to Message Id: 2085487


 Why is My Savannah Not Eating ! ! !

Thanks, I’ll give that a shot. I’m not sure where to get grasshoppers around here but if they can be found....i will find them! Thanks again!
10/18/09  01:27pm

 #2085496


Mdf
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   Message To: Animalistic   In reference to Message Id: 2085490


 Why is My Savannah Not Eating ! ! !

Basking spot is a bit cool up to around 120/135f ambient temps want to be around 75/80f cool end to around 85/90f warm end, pesticide backyard soil/playsand is all you need for substrate, with the right basking spots there’s little chance of impaction. If his temps are off this will reduce their enthusiasm for food, i can reduce my savs appetite by adding or dropping a 60watt bulb, with the background ambient temps set at 80f.

As for carpet two of my savs have no problem with the one rug i have in my reptile room, the other one sounds like she’s walking over velcro.

Good luck!
10/18/09  01:42pm

 #2085537


Brandnew.
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   Message To: Mdf   In reference to Message Id: 2085496


 Why is My Savannah Not Eating ! ! !

slightly worried about the cave heater.... if its the one im thinking of its made by zoomed correct? its essentailly a glorified hot rock. they can be dangerous and are usually deemed unsuitable for most reptiles...

diet - - - ditch the goldfish, they are full of parasites. literally disease vectors with fins.

turkey isnt good for them, only whole prey. so try to cut it out the diet.

give it a few more days he might just be full.



10/18/09  03:22pm

 #2085759


Animalistic
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   Message To: Brandnew.   In reference to Message Id: 2085537


 Why is My Savannah Not Eating ! ! !

Thanks for the advise! I’ll stop the goldfish feeding right away. Also, the turkey.....I have read in numerous places on the internet that it is actually good for them once in awhile. I’ll have to do some more research on that just to be sure but, I will cut that out too in the mean time.

The cave heater is a home made job. I made it out of one of those outdoor "fake" rocks. The ones that are used to hide sprinkler manifolds. I fitted the top "inside" with a ceramic 100 watt heating element. I had some worries about it getting to hot when I first designed it but, I tested it overnight with a thermometer and it only reached 95 deg. at the height of my Monitor when he’s laying down. It’s a tall rock so, he can’t get too close to it and I caged the element just to be on the safe side.

Thanks again,
Mike
10/18/09  11:52pm

 #2088333


Slevin
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   Message To: Animalistic   In reference to Message Id: 2085479


 Why is My Savannah Not Eating ! ! !

You could try some different things? My bosc moniter likes mice, raw eggs, dog food ( weirdly, doesnt like the expensive brands 0.o), cockroaches and locusts!



10/24/09  08:43pm

 #2088339


Lone Wolf
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   Message To: Slevin   In reference to Message Id: 2088333


 Why is My Savannah Not Eating ! ! !

Quote:

You could try some different things? My bosc moniter likes mice, raw eggs, dog food ( weirdly, doesnt like the expensive brands 0.o)



Though he may eat dog food, it’s really not a good thing to give them. :-) You’ll do best if you stick with Whole Prey items like mice and insects. :-)

Cody
10/24/09  08:51pm


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