The Monitor Who Never Grew 🦎💭

Three years in, Chompers proves big personality beats big size. On Wednesdays We Wear Scales 🦎💅 A midweek check-in from your favorite pink-haired reptile nurse. Hey, This week’s issue is a personal one. It’s been almost three years since I brought home Chompers, my Savannah monitor, and in that time he’s become the definition of small but mighty. Despite being healthy, active, and ravenous (seriously, he eats like every meal might be his last), he just hasn’t grown the way most monitors do. It’s got me thinking a lot about where some reptiles come from, and how much of their story we inherit when we bring them home. I’m planning to have one of our veterinarians who specializes in exotics take a closer look, but in the meantime, I’m learning a lot from just watching him. Featured Creature: Chompers the Savannah Monitor When most people picture a Savannah monitor, they think of a thick, muscular lizard the size of a football. Chompers… is not that. Despite being nearly three years old, he’s stayed compact, but don’t let that fool you. What he lacks in size, he makes up for in pure energy. Fast facts: Species: Varanus exanthematicus (Savannah Monitor) Age: Nearly 3 years (acquired Dec 2022) Diet: Primarily insectivorous — roaches, worms, snails, and the occasional treat item Behavior: Bold, food-motivated, and slightly dramatic; always convinced he’s starving He’s one of those reptiles who never sits still... always tongue-flicking, digging, climbing, and staring at me like I’ve personally wronged him by not feeding him six times a day. He’s bold, nosy, and constantly plotting. That’s what makes his size so confusing. For all his confidence, he’s still small, and that disconnect is what makes me wonder about his background. Maybe he came from an import batch, or maybe something early in his care stunted him before he made it to me. It’s frustrating not to know (and a little heartbreaking) because he’s got the kind of personality that makes you want the best for him. But Chompers doesn’t seem to care about the mystery. He’s thriving in his own weird way, with bright eyes, a perfect appetite, and a sense of purpose that only a bug-obsessed monitor could have. I adore him for exactly who he is, even if his story started somewhere rougher than I’d like. ✨ Keeper Note: Sometimes being a good keeper means accepting your animal exactly as they are, while still staying curious about why. The Little Monitor Who Could. He may not have grown much, but his curiosity sure did. Sometimes thriving just looks like wondering what’s beyond the window. Where Growth Begins Reptiles are incredible survivors, but even the toughest species can be shaped by how their lives begin. Those early weeks and months after hatching or birth are everything. Proper hydration, consistent heat, good nutrition, and stress-free environments set the foundation for a lifetime of growth and health. When those needs aren’t met early on, it can leave lasting effects, slow growth, organ stress, or immune issues that might not show up until much later. That’s part of why imported reptiles can be so tricky. Many are collected young, kept in poor conditions during transport, and arrive dehydrated, underfed, and full of parasites before ever reaching a store or new home. Even after months or years of good care, those early deficits can linger. It’s not always something a keeper can “fix,” but it’s something we can be aware of. Asking about an animal’s source, supporting reputable breeders, and giving every reptile the chance to thrive, no matter where their story started. ✨ Keeper Note: Early husbandry affects everything from calcium absorption to metabolism. Poor hydration or nutrition during a reptile’s first months can stunt growth or cause internal changes that last a lifetime. MY WEBSITE Visit Our Socials 2261 Market Street #4319 San Francisco, CA 94114 View in browser You are getting this email because you've subscribed to sweetavezoo at beacons.ai/sweetavezoo. If you'd like to stop receiving these emails, you can unsubscribe from the list.