Updates On 15th Apr 2014

Adisa, our Savannah monitor lizard is one of the newest residents in ACRES. She was found roaming at a private residential area.

Unlike our native Water monitor lizards, Savannah monitor lizards are much smaller but with a stocky body built. They can grow up to 5 feet in length. They feed on insects and mollusks but will also eat eggs and rodents. They also tend to spend more time in burrows unlike Water monitor lizards who are more often spotted along river banks.

In this video, you will get to see her explore her new enclosure setup in our quarantine.. We tried to incorporate a few levels, with a swinging log attachment to mimic a swinging tree branch. Lots of dry substrates are also added to encourage foraging and burrowing behavior. She can also climb up to the top platform to bask if required. Savannah monitor lizards usually are found in grassland areas with lots of grassy vegetation and high humidity levels.

Savannah monitor lizards are taken in large numbers for their skin and for the illegal wildlife trade. Unlike Komodo dragons and Water monitor lizards that can grow in excess of 6 feet, the small size of the Savannah monitor lizards make them ideal victims for the illegal wildlife trade. It is only a matter of time before excessive hunting of this beautiful lizard will cause it to become endangered.

Owning a wild animal as a pet is not cool or exotic. We always have to remember that for every wild animal that has been put on sale, hundreds of others have died horrible deaths.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152088904871523

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ACRES

ACRES (Animal Concerns Research & Education Society) is a pioneering Singapore-based charity and Institution of Public Character, founded by Singaporeans in 2001 with the aim of promoting animal welfare.

ACRES has six focus areas: Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation, Wildlife Crime Investigation, Zoo Animal Welfare, Humane Education, Community Outreach and Promoting Cruelty-Free Living.

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