The cage for your Savannah monitor should be simple and easy-to-clean.

A 30 to 55 gallon tank makes a good starter cage for a young Savannah monitor.  As the monitor grows, so will his housing needs.  A good basis of measurement to consider for adequate housing for your monitor is that the cage should be at least 1.5 to 2 times in length and height as the lizard is from nose to tip of tail and the width should be twice that of thelizard's width.  Ventilate habitat well.

Savannah monitors tend to become lazy if not given ample space and opportunity to exercise.   Provide several climbing areas on branches, logs, rocks, etc.  Monitors have a tendacy to dig up, trample, or shred plants and decorations.

Artificial turf makes good ground cover for Savannah Monitor cages.  It can be cut to fit, removed and washed when dirty, and is inexpensive to replace when worn out. Other types of ground cover include wood chips and newspaper. If using wood chips, avoid cedar, which is toxic.

Savannahs need a shelter where they can go to feel safe and have privacy. Shelters can be made out of cork bark, wood, cardboard box shelters or an enclosed kitty litter box.

Be sure the cage is secure and has a locking device on the door to prevent your lizard from escaping.

Savannah monitors are active during the day, so the cage should have a full spectrum of light for 12 to 14 hours each day.  Because Savannahs are from the hot, dry regions of Africa, they need adequate heating to replicate their native environment.  The cage should be maintained between 80 and 95 degrees F during the day, dropping to 65-72 degrees at night.  Keep a thermometer in the cage to track the temperature.

A basking place, or "hot spot" in the cage should be no more than 104 degrees F to prevent burning your lizard.  The "hot spot" can be provided  by using basking lights, heat tape, reptile heating pads, and hot rocks. Heating pads and hot rocks should be checked often to make sure they are not too hot.

To replicate the lizard's natural habitat, the overall temperature in your monitor's cage can be allowed to drop gradually over a three month period until it has cooled down to the 50's and 60's. After being dormant for 2-4 months, the temperature is gradually raised until it is warm again.

To maintain optimum health in your lizard, clean the cage frequently, removing all traces of feces on a daily basis.  Disinfect the cage one a week with a disinfectant solution made specifically for animals, preferably reptiles.  "Wipe Out" made by Zoo Med is a reliable product that works well and has a pleasant odor.