Odd savannah monitor problem

[BorisTheSpider]

Here's a new one for me . A month or two back I bought three baby Savannah monitors at an exotic pet expo . All three seemed healthy and with no problems . Now , two are growing like weeds and eating everything in sight . One has become very pale , lethargic and lumbers around the tank in a very jerky motion . It eats and seems to be passing waste normally , but quite frankly it's sad to watch this little guy barely able to walk around . I would put the blame on the enclosure or environment , but all three share the same tank . So , why are the other two doing so well while this one is barely hanging on ? Anybody ever had a savvy with what I would almost describe as Parkinson like symptoms . Also , it hasn't really grown any since it bought it .

Tank Info :
30 gallon ( they are moving to a 50 this weekend )
aspen fiber substrate
Ceramic Heat bulb at one end ( 95 degree basking area )
Large water bowl at other end ( large enough for soaking )
Ambient air temp ~ mid 80's day low 80's night
Humidity hovers around 50 %
Lighting is standard florescent bulb ( I've never kept savvy's under UVB )

Any ideas as what to do ? :?

 

[Reptiliatus]

I can almost bet money that the other two are the "dominant" animals. I have observed this before in savannah monitors. Usually the smaller guys will be pushed around and won't get to the food. They are very intimidated by the larger, dominant individuals. Honistly, it's like this with nearly any animals you keep communaly, you need to make sure everybody's eating, and that there is no bullying going on. I would seriously recommend you rehouse the little guy, and maybe even separate all of them. Savannah monitors are not social reptiles and will compete for food and territory so where one savi played the roll of the runt the next one will when you remove him.

Another thing is you mentioned that they are babies... 3 babies in a 30 gallon is still quite small for enclosure space. You did mention that their all going into a 50 gallon soon but in no time at all that won't be enough room for them either. These guys get big, so your best bet is making them each a custom enclosure rather than aquire more and more aquariums. Also I have heard that similar to Chameleons, these liazards get stressed from seeing their reflextion in the tank so if someone else can comment that that's true, theres another reason to build them custom enclosures.

Anyways, I hope this helps you a bit! Ya, I would deffinately rehouse that little guy to be on his own so he can recover. Based on his symtomes you described, I'd say he is also dehydrated, so get him drinking and maybe even offer some reptile electolytes aswell.

Good luck! Dayyan

 

[BorisTheSpider]

I agree that the enclosure is too small and they are savvy's so there is quite a bit of fighting and rough housing going on . But , the plan was to get the three of them and then over time the "best" one become obvious and then I would simply sell the other two . Maybe what I'll do is leave the little one in the 30 gallon by himself when I make the move to the 50 gallon tank . AS far as the eating goes I've been feeding him in a a separate container and it seems to be doing a little better , but it still doesn't look to good . .

 

[Reptiliatus]

I would separate him asap... The fact that your feeding him separately and that he is eating is excellent but regardless he will still be very stressed and submissive to the other two animals.

If the little guy still isn't looking good I'd consider administrating some electrolytes through the lizards water. I would also consider a vet visit if things get worse, but that is for you to judge.

Hope this helps

 

[DireWolf0384]

If I got a Savannah should I only get one?

 

[skippy]

i would up the basking temps as well- 110 degrees at least but 120 would be better, the ambient temps are fine though.

definitely separate them and continue feeding, with any luck his issues will fade with the stress.

 

[DeathsPyro12]

Seperate them all is your best bet, also up the basking temp to 125F of a SURFACE tempature. Also what are you feeding them? Remember to dust any insects with calcium atleast a couple times a week, and feeding pinkie mice will help as well. When you mentioned jerky movements it sounds like MBD(Metabolic Bone Diease). Read this http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/reptilesgeneral/a/metabolicbd.htm also your substrate, change it. Use either the plain dirt from your yard or buy potting soil and play sand and make a mix. Just make sure it is all chemical free. Keep us updated.

 

[DeathsPyro12]

Also pictures would help alot.

 

[Toirtis]

I concur...separate the runt and bring your basking areas to 105ºF-110ºF and see how he does. It is possible that he has something physiologically wrong, but the other two bullying him for food, etc, is the first possibility to eliminate.