Savannah monitor enclosure size and setup

Savannah monitor at a glance

Minimum enclosure

96 × 48 × 48 inches244 × 122 × 122 cm, about 958 gallons

Warm side

140-150°Fbasking surface

Cool side

75-85°F

Humidity

50-70%, damp burrows

UVB

Zone 3

Group

Monitors and tegus

A powerful digger that needs 18-24 inches of substrate. Basking figure is a surface temperature.

Common questions

What size enclosure does a savannah monitor need?

At least 96 × 48 × 48 inches (244 × 122 × 122 cm) for one adult, about 958 gallons. Floor space matters more than height for this species. Bigger is always better if you have room.

What temperature should a savannah monitor enclosure be?

Aim for a warm side of 140-150°F and a cool side of 75-85°F, so it can move between the two to control its body temperature. The warm figure is a surface temperature on the basking spot, measured with a temp gun. Check with a digital probe thermometer, not a stick-on dial.

What humidity does a savannah monitor need?

50-70%, damp burrows. A digital hygrometer in the middle of the enclosure gives the most useful reading.

Does a savannah monitor need UVB?

Yes, Zone 3, which means strong UVB, for regular sun baskers. Match your bulb and its distance to that level using the maker's chart, and replace it on schedule.

Which common tanks fit an adult savannah monitor?

Of the common sizes, these meet the adult minimum: 8 × 4 × 4 (96 × 48 × 48 in).

These are common hobbyist guidelines for a healthy adult, based mostly on published species care guides. Babies, sick animals and specific localities can need different setups, so check with a reptile vet for anything serious.

More tools for your savannah monitor

• Substrate
• Bioactive layers
• Running cost
• UVB bulb tracker
• Egg incubation

Other reptiles