A Final Word
I’ve noticed over the course of the last few years that the information contained herein seems to be of some controversy. It’s understandable that whenever methods emerge in any field that are vastly different than a long-accepted methodology, feathers can ruffle and tensions can arise. I need to emphatically say it is not my intention to cause problems.
This website was created in response to the estimated less than 1% five-year survival rate of Savannah Monitors in captivity. If a monitor is slim, healthy, hydrated, active, alert and has a great food response, and is inquisitive and exhibits no violent defensive behavior, then all the better. But if a monitor is on vet visit number ten with mystery ailment X and the keeper is willing to try something different, this style of keeping will be of great benefit, if it’s not too late.
Why is information like this so argued against, or loudly condemned? Simply, because no one profits from keeping your monitor in this way except your monitor. It’s the best kept secret in the pet industry, that you can keep a medium sized exotic lizard with absolutely no help from the pet industry.
If you breed your own insects, buy the occasional chick or fish from a local supplier/farm/market, build an enclosure in the manner outlined on this site (right down to the light bulbs and substrate), who profits from that? At most, you’re shelling out a few hundred dollars at your local big box home improvement store for dirt and plywood. There are no pop culture herp company branded basking light bulbs to buy. There is no coconut husk jungle substrate packager to support. There are no aquarium manufacturers whose pockets are being lined. There are no rodent or feeder businessmen to constantly depend on.
Hopefully, in the future, when reading one of the standard caresheets for a monitor that recommends the usual aquarium setup or feeding a rodent diet, you might simply ask yourself “Who created the information I am reading? If I listen to it, who is receiving a profit? And are those two entities one and the same?”