Monitor Lizard Information

Savannah Monitor Feeding

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Young and hatchling savannah monitors will eat live crickets, and some types of worms. As they grow, switch their diet to contain some rodents as well. When they are full grown, they will generally ignore insects altogether.

They can also be fed some hard boiled eggs, canned dog food, and peices of lean, well cooked meats. These should be offered as occasional "treats". It is widely accepted that a rodent diet is best suited for adult savannah monitors, although there are occasional disagreements on this point. Pre killed mice are best suited. The monitors do not require live prey, and pre killed rodents are safer for you pet, and more humane.

The table below shows a suggested feeding schedule, for healthy savannah monitors of average size. This diet must be adjusted if there are health problems, over or underweight conditions.

Size	Diet	Notes
Hatchlings, three to five inches	Insects, crickets mostly. Feed daily.
Hatclings, up to one foot.	Crickets, and pinky then fuzzy mice. Feed 2-4 mice four times a week.	Eventually you monitor may stop eating crickets completely.
Juveniles	Feed mice (jumpers or adults) twice a week. The monitor will generally eat anywhere from two to eight per week, depending on it's size.	At this age, they will probably not eat crickets at all. If you lizard does, keep feeding them as excercise and entertainment for your pet.
Adults (three years and over)	Mice (adult), twice weekly. The number will depend on the activity and size of the monitor. At this age, they may overeat, (and become overweight), so watch their size and adjust their diet accordingly.	Hardboiled eggs, two tablespoons of low fat dog food, or well cooked lean meats can be offered as an occasional (once or twice per month) treat.

Keep fresh water in the cage at all times. The dish should be large enough for the lizard to sumerge itself in. Change the water regularly.