Savannah Monitor Size: What Is The Length Of This Likeable Lizard

If you are looking for a lizard pet that doesn't mind being handled, consider the savannah monitors.

Savannah monitors, scientific name Varanus exanthematicus, are huge pet lizards that belong to the monitor family and are one of the more docile varieties. They aren't particularly active creatures, and they normally tolerate being handled.

They're popular since they're friendly and less difficult to maintain than larger monitors. Savannahs are popular pets in the United States, although they don't always perform well in captivity.

This monitor lizard is not a pet for the casual reptile enthusiast; it requires a lot of attention to be healthy. This lizard is native to the savannahs and grasslands of Sub-Saharan Africa.

Their physique is stocky and heavy, with a broadhead, short neck, and tail. They have spots on their backs and rings on their short tail and are grayish-tan in color. Invertebrates and tiny mice are among the foods they consume.

They should rarely consume mice to prevent obesity. They hunt in the wild by picking up chemical clues from their surroundings with their tongue. The tongues of all monitors are deeply forked, this enables them to detect chemical signals in their surroundings.

During the breeding season, solitary lizards will only associate with members of their species. If you intend to retain this lizard, make sure it is the only one in the enclosure.

To know interesting reptile facts, read about the legless lizard vs snakeandgecko vs lizard

How big are baby savannah monitors?

Savannahs are one of the smaller monitor lizards, making them an excellent choice for beginners or people who are unable or unwilling to keep a truly massive lizard.

The hatchlings are only a few inches long, but they grow quickly and can mature in as little as two years, but it is far more normal to take three or four years.

For the first several months of life, a single baby savannah monitor lizard or a pair can be housed comfortably in a 20-30 gal (75.7-113.5 kg) terrarium or equivalent habitat. When they reach 8 in (20.32 cm) length, you should start looking for a larger enclosure.

How big is a full-grown savannah monitor?

As previously stated, monitor lizards can grow to be fairly large, and if you're searching for a massive, monster-like lizard, a fully grown savannah monitor can come close, but it may not be what you're looking for.

A fully developed savannah monitor can grow to be 3-5 ft (0.9-1.5 m) long. They can weigh between 11-13 lb (5-6 kg).

In general, a savannah monitor is merely medium in size and thus is fairly reasonable in size. The size of the savannah monitor, which is also known as the Bosc monitor, makes it an ideal alternative for beginners who like larger lizards but lack the experience or willingness to keep one.

Size And Longevity

Being of the size somewhere between 2.5-4 ft (0.76-1.3 m), the savannah monitor lizard is reasonably sized.

Savannah monitors have a thick, heavy design that makes them appear bigger than are.

These monitor species have the ability to lay about 15-50 eggs. After a 140-180 day incubation period, the eggs hatch. Savannah monitor species have an approximate 11-year lifespan.

Savannahs that are properly cared for should expect to live for well over ten years, with 15-20 years being a respectable average. Unfortunately, misinformation, poor husbandry, and an inadequate diet lead to the premature death of many monitors. We can ensure that our monitors enjoy long and healthy lives by mimicking nature as closely as possible.

Savannah monitor lizards have predators as well, some birds and snakes can prey on them.

Savannah Monitor Vs Leopard Gecko Size

Geckos have been increasingly popular among reptile enthusiasts over the years. They come in a variety of unique and eye-catching morphs and hybrids, as well as several other varieties of geckos that can be kept as pets.

Geckos aren't particularly delicate creatures, and they have a laid-back demeanor. However, if you're not familiar with reptile requirements, they can be difficult. A newbie can have success with geckos if they prepare themselves and purchase all of the necessary items.

Some of the sticking differences between the savannah monitors and leopard gecko species are in size, weight, lifespan, diet, and habitat.

Savannah monitors have a length of 8-10 ft (2.4-3 m). They can live up to 100 years. The habitat of savannah monitors species is variable. They've become so adaptive that even their feeding habits shift with the seasons.

The savannah monitor can daily drink over a tenth of its body weight during the wet season. They will begin to fast as the weather becomes dry. They live on the fat reserves of the wet season.

A gecko adults' average length is 5-8 in (12-18 cm). The average weight is 2-4 oz (56-112 g). And its life expectancy is 10-15 years. The warm, humid, tropical climate is a great fit for geckos. It is suitable for families with intermediate experiences in handling skills. The best thing to feed them is mealworms and crickets.

Savannah Monitor Vs Bearded Dragon

Bearded dragons, with proper care, can survive for more than 10 years.

Many bearded dragons exhibit unusual actions like waving or swaying their heads. When they are territorial or during mating season, these behaviors are most commonly observed. Bearded dragons are omnivores who eat insects, fruits, and vegetables.

Bearded dragons catch and devour insects and worms using their small mouths. These species can be fed store-bought commercially prepared bearded dragon foods in addition to natural ingredients. To get bearded dragons to eat commercially prepared food, conversion methods may be required at first.

Savannah monitors have different feeding habits. They are carnivorous. You can feed them insects with a high gut content, such as huge crickets and super worms. Apart from a normal diet, once a week, add calcium carbonate or calcium gluconate supplement to the non-breeding adult's diet.

Monitor Size And Enclosure

Adult Savannah monitors tend to be big reptiles, despite being classified as medium-sized monitors.

Their tank will almost certainly need to be custom-built to maintain the environment and give a feeling of their natural habitat, and it should be ready when you get your lizard home. A hatchling or juvenile savannah can survive for six months in 55 gal (250 l) enclosures, but they grow quickly.

When a newborn is brought home, most owners have their grownup setup ready. When it becomes an adult, its enclosure will need to be at least double its length.

A cage measuring 8 x 4 ft (2.4 x 1.2 m) is required for an adult lizard. It needs to be at least about 3 ft (0.9 m) high.

The enclosure's height should keep them from escaping while allowing a branch or other decoration to be placed within in case they desire to climb. Because monitors can be destructive, only give pebbles and hides to create a natural environment; no further decorations are required.

Make a spot above the cage to hang lighting and heat sources. UVB and high wattage basking bulbs are ideal. Make space for a large water dish or a litter box large enough for the monitor to submerge its entire body.

Every day, wipe clean their enclosure, especially if there are feces in their water tank. Every two weeks, thoroughly clean the entire cage and find a safe spot to hold your lizard while doing so. Some pet owners use a bathtub or a hard plastic pet carrier.

They require UVB radiation for critical vitamin manufacturing during the day, especially for newborns! Each day, inside the enclosures, the lighting should be on for around 10-12 hours of light.

To generate an extremely hot basking zone, you should also utilize an incandescent lamp. Make sure your monitor is out of reach of the incandescent light. The daytime temperature gradient in the cage should be 80-95 F (27-35 C).

A basking location should be much warmer, with a temperature of at least 130 F (54.4 C) being optimal for a pleasant basking experience. Reptiles should ideally be kept at optimal temperature.

Talking about the humidity, savannah Monitors are desert-type reptiles, hence humidity isn't as important to them. Aim for a relative humidity of 60%, which can be achieved by lightly spraying the cage. Provide a moist hide area as well.

Did You Know...

Savannah monitors are touted as one of the easiest monitors to tame, in addition to being resilient, fair in size, and frequently available. Most of the time these animals will learn to tolerate, if not enjoy, human involvement with regular, careful handling.

Babies can be apprehensive and defensive, which is normal for a young, scared animal. After giving your savannah monitor some time to adjust to its new surroundings, you may begin the process of forming an attachment with your lizard.

Being timid by nature, they usually don't harm humans, but if provoked they can bite you. The venom that they secret can cause bacterial infections, but it isn't fatal to humans.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for savannah monitor size then why not take a look at poisonous lizards, or monitor lizard facts