Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have read on ProExotics.com that they use dirt as a substrate for their Uros. I am currently using sand (after having a nightmarish time with seed). I don't like how my lizards have a "dust" coating on them from the sand and would like to try something else.
What kind of soil substrate can be used? Does anyone use soil as substrate on this forum? I live in the Texas Panhandle and I cannot go and dig up the dirt here, it is high in clay content and is very poor quality. Is there a bag of dirt that anyone has had success with? Everything I find has chemicals in it (i.e. Miracle grow).
Thanks for your help,
Crissey

Hi,

I use soil with my uros. I was inspired from the proexotics website also ! I found a bagged soil, weedfree, at a local garden shop, and I mixed it with a 25% sand/25% vermiculite mixture. The medium worked great and my uros burrow all over the place ! Its so wonderful to see them thriving. Not to mention that with the right temps, you will knotice unbelievable growth results!!! This summer I plan to go to a few local landscape businesses to do some searching of a better soil. It took me a while to finally play with and tweak my soil mixture, in order to get the uros to dig, but eventually it worked and I will never go back to using a sand setup again!

Happy Herping,
-Paul

Do you have to moisten the mixture periodically?
JG

Pro Exotics does "moisten periodically" and according to their site they have switched to decomposed granite.
MY QUESTION:
when they emerge covered in dirt, with soil "in their mouth" and blocking their nose- What do I do? Clean them periodically? Is the soil too moist? Is this OK? ETC.?????????????

Not to answer my own question, but I assume that as long as when they bask the "facial" soil dries up and falls off then it is all good. Am I getting it?

Haha, your getting there! Try this.....PUT IT TO THE TRY! haha trust me, its worth your time and effort in the end! Don't think just do. Over thinking just gets you no where.

Happy Herping,
-Paul

I add approx. a gallon of water to my 3 foot x 2 foot setups per week .