Posted by:
AlteredMind99
at Tue Jun 14 11:46:53 2005 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by AlteredMind99 ]
Easy there, there is no need to be rude. PHLadyPayne is a good contributor to this website with years of experience in herp keeping, she really knows what she is talking about. If she says animals have died from digesting coco-nut fiber then they have. Not that i have any personal experience with it. How long have you had your beardie on the coco-nut fiber? If this is your first beardie to be kept on it and it hasnt been years and years it might be a bit soon to jump to the conclusion that it is safe. Some people have kept their beardies on sand, and even calci-sand for ages without problems...that doesn't mean its safe, right? Just remember to stay open to everyones opinions and take everything in stride  It might be a subject worth delving into though...are there any really good herp vets in your area? Or herpotologists? Maybe they would have some good input/ideas?
To the original poster, everyones advice so far has been really good. It basically comes down to this: Babies and juvie beardies should be always kept on a non-particle substrate (shelf liner, paper towels, indoor/outdoor carpeting..etc) adults are safest when kept on these substrates as well, but if you really like sand you can try the fine grain play sand. The idea for a sand box is good as well. If you do house them on sand then your cleaning practices must be meticulous(sp?) as it is pretty much impossible to get all the bacteria harboring in the sand out after the beardie poops. Very frequent complete substrate changes and cleaning of the enclosure (probably weekly or bi weekly) is probably the best way to go. Also, feeding in a seperate tank if the animals are housed on sand reduces, but does not eliminate, the risk of impaction.
Good luck!
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0.1 Bearded dragon
0.1 mexican Black kingsnake
1.1 Leopard Gecko's
0.0.1 Tokay Gecko
1.0 Blue Tongue Skink
0.0.1 Reverse Okeetee Corn
0.1 Anerythristic Corn
0.0.1 Red Tegu
0.1 Bullmastiff
4.1 Cats
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RE: Substrates - AlteredMind99, Tue Jun 14 11:46:53 2005