How Big Do Savannah Monitors Get? Here Is The Truth

Savannah Monitors can get quite big. However how big do they really get and does every animal become huge? The truth about the savannah monitor size! Further I show you what you can do if you want to own a savannah monitor, but it is too big for your taste.

Monitor lizards are famous for being impressively large in size. The Komodo dragon which is one of the well-known monitor lizards can be up to 10ft long. The Savannah monitor, or also called Bosc monitor (Varanus exanthematicus), is also one of the monitor lizards. Like the name suggests, the Savannah lizard is found in the savannahs and grasslands of central Africa. They are slowly becoming more and more of many people favorite’s lizard pets. Unlike their Kodomo cousin, they are only a medium-sized monitor species. However, even if it is a medium size lizard, a Bosc monitor when full grown can get quite big. And for an indoor pet, the savannah monitor size does concern many potential owners. So how big do Savannah monitors get actually? How big are the hatchlings? And how big are full grown savannah monitors? This article will help you discover the truth.

Savannah Monitor body build

Like any other pets, lizards come in its own type of diversity: in color, in species, in looks and in size. And as the pet can reflect its owner personality and choices, what species of lizard you choose will totally base on your preference and living condition. As said earlier, a monitor lizard can get quite big and if you are looking for a gigantic, monster-like sized lizard, a full grown Savannah monitor can get close but it might not really be what you are looking for. In general, a Savannah monitor is only medium-size and I have to say, pretty reasonably size as well. Bosc monitor's size makes it a good choice for beginners who prefer bigger lizards but are not experienced enough or not willing to house a truly giant one. Savannah monitors are stoutly built. Their limbs and toes are relatively short so a Bosc monitor lizard is not ‘big’ overall but mostly ‘long’ in body size. So it is still not difficult to house one regardless of your own living condition.

How big do savannah monitors get?

Hatchlings

Ok, let’s get to the main question that takes you to this post in the first place: how big does a savannah monitor get? Bosc monitor hatchlings are very similar in size compared to all other lizard species. They are only a few inches long when they hatch. However, they grow very rapidly. Other lizard species grow much slower and take about 4 to 5 years on average to be fully grown. Savannah monitors can reach full maturity in as little as 2 years, though it is more common for them to take 3 to 4 years to grow to full size. So if you are looking forward to having big lizards and you receive a tiny hatchling, don’t worry, they will grow in a blink.

Ok, let’s get to the main question that takes you to this post in the first place: how big does a savannah monitor get? Bosc monitor hatchlings are very similar in size compared to all other lizard species. They are only a few inches long when they hatch. However, they grow very rapidly. Other lizard species grow much slower and take about 4 to 5 years on average to be fully grown. Savannah monitors can reach full maturity in as little as 2 years, though it is more common for them to take 3 to 4 years to grow to full size. So if you are looking forward to having big lizards and you receive a tiny hatchling, don’t worry, they will grow in a blink.

Full grown savannah monitors

Savannah monitors can get pretty big, but nowhere near as big as their Kodomo cousin. A Bosc monitor when full grown, can range in size from 2.5 to 3.5 feet in total length. Sometimes, on occasions, there are specimens that are wildly different in size than the average. In these occasions, a full grown savannah monitor can grow as long as 5 feet. Even though that is not often the case, when owning a Bosc monitor, you need to be prepared for even when they grow that big. This preparation is especially important when it comes to the tank size. Think ahead when building a habitat for your lizard.

Female savannah monitors - The better option for beginners?

Or if you don’t really want to have to worry that far, you can go with a safer option by choosing a female monitor. In the wild, females monitors are considerably much smaller. On average, female savannah monitors’ size ranges from only 2 to 2.5 feet, which is more than a foot shorter compared to the males. The biggest a female savannah monitor can get is about 4 feet. If you want a smaller size savannah lizards for sure, opting for a female is a safer bet.

Conclusion

Pets reflect their owners’ personalities and preferences. Like how there are people who prefer Great Dane and Husky over the little Chihuahua dogs. Some lizard owners want small, colorful lizards, and some want bigger ones. A savannah lizard can be big, but to be honest, they are not that big and pretty reasonably size. So if you are one of those that actually prefer cool, gigantic looking lizards but do not want to go too far over the top, a Savannah monitor is a good choice for you. With proper care, a savannah monitor can live up to 10 years. So choose carefully since it is a long and meaningful commitment you are about to make.