Savannah monitor: what a study on pentastomes changes about its quarantine
Published by Planète Pets · managing editor: Clément Lacaille · how our guides are written
The savannah monitor remains one of the few terrarium reptiles still largely sourced from wild capture and import, and a veterinary study revealed a previously undescribed parasite in animals that had arrived in captivity. Reason enough to stay vigilant when a new animal arrives. Our care and grooming guidance is gathered in the reptile care and grooming section.
A study on pentastomes in the savannah monitor
Flach, Riley, Mutlow and McCandlish published a study in 2000 in the Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine on pentastomiasis in Bosc's monitor lizards (Varanus exanthematicus) caused by a previously undescribed Sambonia species. In the animals examined, these lung parasites had migrated into the respiratory tract and body cavity, causing respiratory distress in some heavily infested individuals.
What this changes about quarantine
This finding in imported animals is a reminder that a newly acquired savannah monitor can carry internal parasites invisible to the naked eye, well after it arrives.
- Isolate any new monitor for several weeks, away from other reptiles in the collection, long enough to have a full parasitology screening done.
- Have an exotic vet analyse a stool sample within the first few days, then again after an initial treatment if parasites are found, since pentastomes are not always visible on the first sample.
- Watch for respiratory signs (open-mouth breathing at rest, wheezing, visible effort to breathe) that warrant a prompt consultation in case of heavy infestation.
This health rigour builds on the guidance already given in our article on quarantining a new reptile, and pairs with our study on digestion and feeding frequency in the savannah monitor, another health benchmark for this species.
Frequently asked questions
Does a captive-bred savannah monitor carry the same risk?
The risk is markedly lower in an animal born and raised in captivity, but it's still worth verifying its exact origin before skipping quarantine altogether.
Can pentastomes spread to humans or other pets in the household?
Direct transmission to humans is rare, but some pentastomes have a life cycle involving several hosts; caution is warranted and a vet's advice is worth seeking if in doubt.
How long should quarantine last for an imported monitor?
A minimum of thirty to sixty days is generally recommended, with at least one parasitology check during that period before any contact with other reptiles. Find all our guides on the reptile hub.
An accessory from our shop for this use: Ventilated clear box for feeder insects, transport and quarantine, 19 cm (€17.90) · the whole shop
This guide is part of Planète Pets’s Reptiles universe. Our advice is general in nature: for any health concern, your veterinarian remains the only reference.