What is the best food for a savannah monitor?

An insect-based diet: large discoid roaches (daily protein), BSFL (calcium 2-3x/week), silkworms (low-fat 2-3x/week), and hornworms (hydration). Rodents should be occasional supplements (1-2x/month), not the staple — rodent-heavy diets cause the obesity epidemic in captive savannah monitors.

Should monitors eat rodents or insects?

Primarily insects. Wild savannah monitors eat mostly invertebrates, not mammals. Insect-based diets with discoid roaches as the staple are dramatically healthier than rodent-heavy diets, which cause obesity and fatty liver disease.

Comparisons

Best Feeder Insects for Monitors and Tegus (Ranked)

By Matt Goren2026-03-19 14:06:04 -04003 min read

Best Feeder Insects for Monitors and Tegus, Ranked

Modern monitor and tegu husbandry emphasizes insect-based diets over the rodent-heavy approach that was once standard. Wild savannah monitors eat primarily invertebrates — not mammals. Captive monitors fed rodent-heavy diets develop severe obesity, the leading cause of premature death in this species. Here are the best insect feeders ranked for large lizards.

#1: Large Discoid Roaches

Protein: 20% | Fat: 7%

The foundation of the insect-based monitor diet. At 7% fat, discoid roaches are dramatically leaner than mice (20-30% fat). Gut-loadable, silent, odorless, and escape-proof. A juvenile savannah monitor eats 15-30 large roaches per feeding. Bulk ordering makes this economically sustainable.

#2: BSFL

Calcium: 9,340 mg/kg | No dusting

Monitors and tegus have high calcium demands driven by rapid growth. BSFL provide more concentrated natural calcium than any other feeder — critical for bone density in these large, fast-growing lizards. 15-30 per feeding, 2-3x per week.

#3: Silkworms

Fat: 1%

The leanest feeder available — essential for combating the obesity epidemic in captive savannah monitors. Silkworms' 1% fat is 7x leaner than roaches and 20-30x leaner than rodents. 5-10 large silkworms per feeding, 2-3x per week.

#4: Hornworms

Moisture: 85%

At up to 4 inches, large hornworms are substantial enough for monitors and tegus. The 85% moisture provides hydration, and the bright color triggers strong feeding responses. 3-5 per feeding, 1-2x per week.

#5: Superworms

Protein: 20% | Fat: 18%

High-energy treat for adding variety. 18% fat means weekly at most. Offer in a bowl to prevent burrowing into substrate.

The Complete Strategy

Component	Feeder	Frequency
Protein staple	Large discoid roaches	Daily (juveniles), 3-4x/week (adults)
Calcium	BSFL	2-3x/week
Low-fat supplement	Silkworms	2-3x/week
Hydration	Hornworms	1-2x/week
Occasional whole prey	Lean rodent, hard-boiled egg	1-2x/month (not a staple)

Body Condition

A lean monitor is a healthy monitor. If you can see a slight outline of ribs and the belly does not drag, your savannah monitor is at a healthy weight. If the belly is round and distended, cut back immediately — monitor obesity kills.

— Matt, Founder, All Angles Creatures

Last updated 2026-03-23 13:02:31 -0400