Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hey everyone, I am getting a pair of baby yellow ackies, soon and I was wondering If anyone had any suggestions for me for the ackies substrate. I know that dirt is the best for them. I am looking for a red rock look for the substrate, But i was wondering if I could use that red calci sand mixed with something to hold a burrow for them, without having to use dirt. I saw a picture awile back of someones ackies in a red rock looking substrate, but it held the burrow very well. can someone help me.
Thanks

first, see post below about using calci-sand (dont use it) Also, Im thinking the 'red rock' looking substrate you are referring to is decomposed granite, something ProExotics uses and highly recommends. It has a reddish color to it and holds burrows as well as moisture nicely (so says their site, as I personally have not used it) You can see their site for more info. And finally, I would not recommend using looks as your primary basis for selecting a substrate. What is best for the monitor should be your #1 concern. The monitor will care very little about how 'nice' his home looks, as long as he is comfortable in it. We all want nice neat cages with our own ideas about how it should look, but you have to think about the monitor first. . . lest you end up with a pretty cage and no monitor. =/
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Chris
1.0.0 Columbian Boa
1.0.0 Columbian x Hogg Island Boa
0.1.0 Argentine Rainbow Boa
2.0.0 Bearded Dragons
0.0.1 Black Throat Monitor
0.1.0 Black Rough-neck monitor

check out our soil FAQs at our site, there is more detailed info there.

i would start with the Home Depot mix, one that you do yourself based around topsoil and playsand. that will give you a good reference start, and help you to learn what makes a good monitor soil. from there you can evaluate if particular local soils (free or purchased) would work for you.

best of luck.
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robyn@proexotics.com

Pro Exotics Reptiles