Savannah monitor (Varanus exanthematicus)

Short answers

Savannah monitor: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 275×165×110 cm for one animal; for a pair from 315×165×110 cm (15 % more floor space per additional animal, as in the 1997 expert report).

Savannah monitor: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 25–35 °C, basking spot 45–55 °C, at night 20–22 °C.

Savannah monitor: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (10–12 % UVB).

Savannah monitor: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 10–20 years.

Savannah monitor: Is it suitable for beginners?

No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Intermediate to expert).

Climate

Daytime temperature

25–35 °C

Night temperature

20–22 °C

Basking spot

45–55 °C

Humidity

60–70 % (higher in spring, up to 90–100 %)

UVB

Essential (10–12 % UVB)

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 275×165×110 cm for one animal; for a pair from 315×165×110 cm (15 % more floor space per additional animal, as in the 1997 expert report)

Substrate

A diggable soil-sand mix at least 30–60 cm deep (clay-sand or coco fibre with sand) that holds its shape; plus a permanently damp hide, stones, roots and cork tubes

Feeding

Food

Predominantly invertebrates: roaches, grasshoppers, house crickets, superworms, earthworms and above all snails (the main prey in the wild; adult animals crack the shells with their blunt teeth). Rodents, chicks and eggs only rarely.

Feeding interval

Adults 1–2× a week

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 90–130 cm (rarely up to 150 cm)

Life expectancy

approx. 10–20 years

Origin

Sub-Saharan Africa (Senegal to Sudan and Ethiopia, savannah)

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU Annex B, registration required

Brumation

No real cold period. A rest period with a shorter day and noticeably less food is worthwhile; adult animals take long feeding breaks on their own anyway. The common recommendation of 2–3 months at 15 °C is unusually cold for an animal from the African savanna and is at most something for experienced keepers after a prior health check.

Cohabitation

Usually single housing, a compatible pair possible. The reason: several males fight over territory and basking spot until one is injured or permanently confined to a corner.

Notes

It runs strongly to obesity in captivity – feed it mainly on insects and do NOT fatten it on rodents. It needs deep digging substrate and a dry rest.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Argus monitor (Varanus panoptes) – Expert
• Bengal monitor (Varanus bengalensis) – Expert
• Blue tree monitor (Varanus macraei) – Expert
• Blue-tailed monitor (Varanus doreanus) – Intermediate to expert
• Finsch's monitor (Varanus doreanus finschi) – Expert
• Boatsi tree monitor (Varanus boatsi) – Expert
• Bogert's tree monitor (Varanus bogerti) – Expert
• Lace monitor (Varanus varius) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Savannah monitor (Varanus exanthematicus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 275×165×110 cm for one animal; for a pair from 315×165×110 cm (15 % more floor space per additional animal, as in the 1997 expert report)), substrate (A diggable soil-sand mix at least 30–60 cm deep (clay-sand or coco fibre with sand) that holds its shape; plus a permanently damp hide, stones, roots and cork tubes), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.