Beardie Substrates- The Myths, Controversy, and Facts
Nov 29, 2020 20:05:03 GMT -5
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Post by hoomanslave on Nov 29, 2020 20:05:03 GMT -5
The easiest way to start an argument among bearded dragon owners is to have an opinion on which substrate is best. Seriously, all you need to do is brag about your sand substrate and you'll be dogpiled by angry keepers. Interestingly, this controversy is only really prominent among bearded dragon and leopard gecko keepers. Your goal when choosing a substrate should be to find one that is safe, efficient, and enriching. With all the conflicting information out there, it's hard to choose a substrate appropriate for your bearded dragon. Hopefully, this guide can help!
NOTE: Dig boxes are often overlooked when decorating a tank, which is a problem. Bearded dragons love to dig and burrow, and some substrates may not allow them to do this. This is where a dig box comes in handy. It's easy, safe, and will provide your reptile with hours of enrichment. They promote exercise and reduce the risk of egg-binding and boredom-related behavioral problems. You can make one for under $10, and the small expense is more than worth it.
1. Sand
Sand is one of the worst substrates. It can stain your dragon's scales, cause impaction (blockage of the digestive tract), and can irritate eyes and injuries. Most sand is also quite dusty, leading to respiratory infections. Many people still keep their reptiles on sand because "they haven't had a problem yet". This reasoning is problematic-first of all, impaction doesn't occur all at once. It can take a while for the sand to build up in the digestive tract, and when it does, expect to pay hundreds or thousands on surgery to remove it. Unfortunately, many people do believe it's the most natural choice. Sand is not recommended for the vast majority of reptiles-there's only a couple of very specialized species (none of which are for beginners or casual hobbyists) that require it, and beardies are not among them. Beardies don't even live on sand in the wild, but we'll get into that later.
This just about sums it up
2. Calci-sand
Calci-sand, Vita-sand, or any other name it goes by, is usually marketed as a "reptile safe" alternative to real sand. However, it doesn't solve any problems that normal sand causes-and in some cases it's even worse. It still stains your dragon, especially if you buy it in neon colors. It's dusty and it still causes impaction. Another major drawback is that by providing calcium sand, you are encouraging your dragon to eat it to make up for the calcium it may be missing from its diet. This can lead to deadly over or under doses on calcium. Calcium sand is considered one of the worst substrates available, and has yet to be recommended by any sane hobbyist.
3. Crushed walnut shells
Crushed walnut shells are advertised as a digestible, fun alternative to sand. Unfortunately, it is not. The pieces of walnut shells are usually very sharp, and they can do serious damage to eyes, bellies, feet, and even internal organs if ingested. Again, impaction is still a problem. Crushed walnut shells are not recommended for any species, ever.
4. Tile
Tile is easy to clean, effective, and safe. I won't go into much detail here as there is already a good guide on it on this forum, but I will point out the cons. Arthritis was noticed in bearded dragons kept on tile long-term. Tile also doesn't satisfy a beardie's instinct to dig, which can lead to glass-surfing, egg-binding, and boredom from lack of enrichment. If you choose to use tile in your enclosure, make sure to provide a dig box, various platforms and climbing opportunities, and even a pillow or two.
5. Reptile carpet and artificial grass
Reptile carpet is usually called the only safe substrate. Once again, it presents its own series of problems. Just like with tile, it doesn't allow for any digging, so a dig box or another type of digging enrichment is needed. Second of all, it's nearly impossible to clean it and remove bacteria. There are also a lot of reports of claws and teeth getting caught in the threads of the carpet and being pulled out. It's best to skip this one.
6. (Non-adhesive) Rubber shelf liner
Rubber shelf liner is an amazing substrate. Bugs can't get on it, it's washable, no loose threads to worry about, and it's inexpensive. Make sure to buy the solid, textured, non-adhesive kind, however, because the adhesive ones emit deadly fumes when heated.
7. Sand/Topsoil mix
Considered by experts to be the only suitable loose substrate, a mix of a small amount of play sand and a large portion of unfertilized topsoil makes a good substrate. This substrate, when made correctly, does not clump or stick to food. It encourages digging, burrowing, and can be used in bioactive setups. If you are not comfortable with using it as the main substrate, it makes a good dig box material. The best combination is a few inches of this substrate with a tile eating area. This substrate has been tested by experienced herpetologists, all of whom recommend it (see links below). This is as close as possible to what a beardie would live on in the wild.
8. Cat litter
Cat litter is a dangerous choice. It is a breeding ground for fungi and bacteria, can cause respiratory infections, and may be toxic if ingested. The same goes for any kind of substrate pellet and small animal bedding. I'm not sure why people would even think this is a good idea. Cat litter is not recommended for any animal's bedding.
9. Wood chips
All wood chips are a dangerous choice for reptiles. The chunks are far too large to be passed if ingested and pose a serious choking and impaction hazard. It also provides no enrichment or benefits other than being cheap and easy to set up. There are numerous stories of them harming herps of all sizes.
10. Paper towels
Paper towels are any easy to use and sanitary substrate. They are excellent for baby lizards and during the quarantine period. Like the other solid substrates, you will need to provide some form of dig box if you choose to use it. The only problem is that they will need to be changed out regularly, which may be too much hassle for some people.
A special thanks to the kind people on Discord who helped confirm all the information in this article! Y'all are awesome
FURTHER INFORMATION:
aminoapps.com/c/reptiles/page/item/the-ultimate-substrate-guide/g0Yo_YX2fKIQVJdBR00vop4jbgLeX2mKPQX
www.beardeddragonforum.com/threads/bioactive-soil-as-a-substrate-choice.11152/
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyt7o-jmPNM
NOTE: Dig boxes are often overlooked when decorating a tank, which is a problem. Bearded dragons love to dig and burrow, and some substrates may not allow them to do this. This is where a dig box comes in handy. It's easy, safe, and will provide your reptile with hours of enrichment. They promote exercise and reduce the risk of egg-binding and boredom-related behavioral problems. You can make one for under $10, and the small expense is more than worth it.
1. Sand
Sand is one of the worst substrates. It can stain your dragon's scales, cause impaction (blockage of the digestive tract), and can irritate eyes and injuries. Most sand is also quite dusty, leading to respiratory infections. Many people still keep their reptiles on sand because "they haven't had a problem yet". This reasoning is problematic-first of all, impaction doesn't occur all at once. It can take a while for the sand to build up in the digestive tract, and when it does, expect to pay hundreds or thousands on surgery to remove it. Unfortunately, many people do believe it's the most natural choice. Sand is not recommended for the vast majority of reptiles-there's only a couple of very specialized species (none of which are for beginners or casual hobbyists) that require it, and beardies are not among them. Beardies don't even live on sand in the wild, but we'll get into that later.
This just about sums it up
2. Calci-sand
Calci-sand, Vita-sand, or any other name it goes by, is usually marketed as a "reptile safe" alternative to real sand. However, it doesn't solve any problems that normal sand causes-and in some cases it's even worse. It still stains your dragon, especially if you buy it in neon colors. It's dusty and it still causes impaction. Another major drawback is that by providing calcium sand, you are encouraging your dragon to eat it to make up for the calcium it may be missing from its diet. This can lead to deadly over or under doses on calcium. Calcium sand is considered one of the worst substrates available, and has yet to be recommended by any sane hobbyist.
3. Crushed walnut shells
Crushed walnut shells are advertised as a digestible, fun alternative to sand. Unfortunately, it is not. The pieces of walnut shells are usually very sharp, and they can do serious damage to eyes, bellies, feet, and even internal organs if ingested. Again, impaction is still a problem. Crushed walnut shells are not recommended for any species, ever.
4. Tile
Tile is easy to clean, effective, and safe. I won't go into much detail here as there is already a good guide on it on this forum, but I will point out the cons. Arthritis was noticed in bearded dragons kept on tile long-term. Tile also doesn't satisfy a beardie's instinct to dig, which can lead to glass-surfing, egg-binding, and boredom from lack of enrichment. If you choose to use tile in your enclosure, make sure to provide a dig box, various platforms and climbing opportunities, and even a pillow or two.
5. Reptile carpet and artificial grass
Reptile carpet is usually called the only safe substrate. Once again, it presents its own series of problems. Just like with tile, it doesn't allow for any digging, so a dig box or another type of digging enrichment is needed. Second of all, it's nearly impossible to clean it and remove bacteria. There are also a lot of reports of claws and teeth getting caught in the threads of the carpet and being pulled out. It's best to skip this one.
6. (Non-adhesive) Rubber shelf liner
Rubber shelf liner is an amazing substrate. Bugs can't get on it, it's washable, no loose threads to worry about, and it's inexpensive. Make sure to buy the solid, textured, non-adhesive kind, however, because the adhesive ones emit deadly fumes when heated.
7. Sand/Topsoil mix
Considered by experts to be the only suitable loose substrate, a mix of a small amount of play sand and a large portion of unfertilized topsoil makes a good substrate. This substrate, when made correctly, does not clump or stick to food. It encourages digging, burrowing, and can be used in bioactive setups. If you are not comfortable with using it as the main substrate, it makes a good dig box material. The best combination is a few inches of this substrate with a tile eating area. This substrate has been tested by experienced herpetologists, all of whom recommend it (see links below). This is as close as possible to what a beardie would live on in the wild.
8. Cat litter
Cat litter is a dangerous choice. It is a breeding ground for fungi and bacteria, can cause respiratory infections, and may be toxic if ingested. The same goes for any kind of substrate pellet and small animal bedding. I'm not sure why people would even think this is a good idea. Cat litter is not recommended for any animal's bedding.
9. Wood chips
All wood chips are a dangerous choice for reptiles. The chunks are far too large to be passed if ingested and pose a serious choking and impaction hazard. It also provides no enrichment or benefits other than being cheap and easy to set up. There are numerous stories of them harming herps of all sizes.
10. Paper towels
Paper towels are any easy to use and sanitary substrate. They are excellent for baby lizards and during the quarantine period. Like the other solid substrates, you will need to provide some form of dig box if you choose to use it. The only problem is that they will need to be changed out regularly, which may be too much hassle for some people.
A special thanks to the kind people on Discord who helped confirm all the information in this article! Y'all are awesome
FURTHER INFORMATION:
aminoapps.com/c/reptiles/page/item/the-ultimate-substrate-guide/g0Yo_YX2fKIQVJdBR00vop4jbgLeX2mKPQX
www.beardeddragonforum.com/threads/bioactive-soil-as-a-substrate-choice.11152/
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyt7o-jmPNM