Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i have a dirt cocoa shell mulch mixture in my tank right now for my timor (who is not here yet).
this isn't harmful is it?
the cocoa shell mulch holds moisture.

The only concern with it is if the fibers cause a tourniquet on a toe or something (unlikely). It should work fine.

coco mulch/bed a beast is dusty when dry, and moldy when wet. use soil.
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robyn@proexotics.com

Pro Exotics Reptiles

If you have the right mixture(the monitor will tell you if it is) It could work fine.

I have used a sand/coco mixture that worked for timor type monitors.

The only problem is, you have to throw it out every year or so. It spoils. Cheers

I use it mixed with sand like FR does, and it works fine. As FR said, it also needs to be dumped at least once a year. I usually dump the whole mess about every six months. You need to add water when it gets dry or it doesn't continue to work well and is a dusty mess. Since you need lots for a monitor cage, it also takes quite a bit of time to get each brick ready for use. I start the day before as it initially is really wet when you first soak the brick. Then I mix in sand until it looks like a good consistency. If it is not, the monitors will let you know. Good luck.

...Frank, is there a different way to get this that is not in the compressed bricks? I have never seen it any other way.

Pam
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1.1 varanus acanthurus brachyurus (Dorado & Dora)
1.1 u. macfadyeni (Amani & Abeba)
1.2 u. ornata (Husani, Zari, & Bintu)
0.0.1 geochelone carbonaria (Rojo)
0.0.1 cyclura hybrid lewisi x caymanensis x nubila (Sweetpea)
1.1 hyla chrysoscelis (Pudge & Squirt)
Herps Are Awesome!

Hi Pam, I sure don't. I got mine in bricks as well. In fact, a package of bricks.

I do not use that mix for ackies, just tree type monitors like scalaris, timor types and kimberlys, tristis. The last two will use either that mix or a normal dirt.

Your right about how often you should change it out. hahahahahahaha Thanks

Thanks Frank,

I figured if anyone would know differently, you would. If we only had decent dirt where I am, but it is nothing but a mixture of clay and quarry gravel, not good for much. Digging a fence post for the horses was a major undertaking, nothing but one boulder after another, with a post hole turning into a giant pit.
Well, since I am moving to Florida soon, I will test out the dirt by my new house and may come across something usuable. Thanks again for your reply.

Pam
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1.1 varanus acanthurus brachyurus (Dorado & Dora)
1.1 u. macfadyeni (Amani & Abeba)
1.2 u. ornata (Husani, Zari, & Bintu)
0.0.1 geochelone carbonaria (Rojo)
0.0.1 cyclura hybrid lewisi x caymanensis x nubila (Sweetpea)
1.1 hyla chrysoscelis (Pudge & Squirt)
Herps Are Awesome!