I purchased sulllivan about a year ago and he was about 6 inches long he is now close to two feet if not a hair longer. I havent been able to find a site that gives me an idea of how fast they should grow but simple math breaks it down into 18(inches) / 12(months) = 1 1/2 inches a month Not that he is a weed but they grow considerably fast as most of you already know. I currently have him in a 30 gallon ( I know way too small) but this weekend I will have him in a 125 gallon (72 inches L X 18 inches W X 24 inches T) I plan on building him a custom enclosure drawings are in the process. If the rate of growth I came up with is semi accurate for his continued growth he may be able to stay in the 125 for approximately 6 months? Does this sound about right to anyone else?

Also Do Savannah monitors use height as much as many other monitors do? my final enclosure I was thinking be like 7 X3 1/2 X 3 tall maybe a little bigger.
I have seen some sites say a 6 X 3 is fine and then other saying a 10 x5. I know bigger is always better

__________________
Randy

I plan to live forever... And so far its working

0.2.0 Ball Python (Jaxxie and Kyree)
1.0.0 Savanah Monitor (Sullivan)

With most monitors the rate of growth is determined by their food intake. How fast they grow at different ages I'm not sure of.
I would go longer than the 7 ft though if you're able.

__________________
Mike
"Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you." - Mother Teresa

how much longer?

I know you are pretty much the one everyone looks to for their monitor questions. What size do you recommend?

__________________
Randy

I plan to live forever... And so far its working

0.2.0 Ball Python (Jaxxie and Kyree)
1.0.0 Savanah Monitor (Sullivan)

I'm more familiar with the Australian species than the African ones. I would go as long as you can. Ten feet is a good size. I wouldn't go smaller than 8 ft. Too small and he won't get as much exercise endangering his health. If you want an excellent book on Savannahs I highly recommend the one written by Daniel Bennett and Ravi Thaakodyl.

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Mike
"Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you." - Mother Teresa

do you feel the width of 3 1/2 feet and the height of 3 will be ok?

__________________
Randy

I plan to live forever... And so far its working

0.2.0 Ball Python (Jaxxie and Kyree)
1.0.0 Savanah Monitor (Sullivan)

Your monitor will grow into a large roboust creature. Monitors require a vast amount of space to stay healthy. Too confined and they seem to get depressed and not move around much. I would say the height is fine but the width of 3 1/2 is not enough. I would aim for 5 ft. Since your Sav is growing so rapidly I'm assuming you're taking good care of him and giving him lots of food. He's definitely going to reach the 4 ft or more mark. The width it's a good idea to aim for at least his length. Keep up the good work. He looks in great condition.

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Mike
"Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you." - Mother Teresa

here is ALL THE DATA on the planet about growth rates of savs.
(note that the plural of datum is not anecdotes)

The plot of Rusty may be the most typical; Buzzy and Lilly might be considered rapid growers.


sort of ridiculous, isn't it, that you can ask such a question about an animal that's been kept captive by the thousands and yet nobody cares enough to keep records so it can be answered properly?

keeping records is how norms and expectations are established. a handful of animals isn't a representative population sample, either- so anyboy else who wishes to keep such records so that simple questions such as 'how fast can he grow' can be answered is welcome to use my custom software:

Even if monitor owners did all record growth rates. It would be hugely dependant on diet.

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Mike
"Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you." - Mother Teresa

absolutley.
so much so, that you can get a 3 ft sav in 1 year or 3 years!

keeping records would make the above statement authoritative instead of anecdotal- i haven't seen hundreds of savs to go by.


for monitor husbandry to get anywhere near that level of understanding and development, a start has to be made.
if nobody did it yet, somebody must do it first otherwise it won't be done and I want it done, so I do it.

Im not sure about all Sav monitors but If I let Sullivan eat as much as he wanted every day he would be a giant tub of lard. I feed him based on what I feel is keeping him in a healthy state. Not too skinny not to fat but just right. I just wanted to know if he would for the most part maintain the same growth rate or if at this point in his life he may grow faster or start to slow down

__________________
Randy

I plan to live forever... And so far its working

0.2.0 Ball Python (Jaxxie and Kyree)
1.0.0 Savanah Monitor (Sullivan)