Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I know we are all aware of monitors burrowing needs. I know a few of us already have substrate their monitors love, like ProExotics' 'Pink Breeze', but they have a special source for it. Could this be the burrowing substrate for the rest of us? Its called 'Excavator' and its by Zoo Med. From the REPTILES magazine ad, it looks very good for desert monitors. I plan on either a pair of red ackies or a pair of kimberly rocks, both from Rare Earth or Pro Exotics. This substrate, from what it appears, looks to be the excellent for burrows. Has anyone tried it or seen it used? I cant find much about it, as its brand new. Lets hope this is the perfect substrate!
Link

The magic substrate indeed, with a magic price as well. I wonder if they sell the stuff by the ton. Maybe my Niles would like it.

Roger

They didnt say the price...Did you see it on that link? I didnt. but you really think it would be good for them? Im still waiting for robyn and FR to look at it lol.

Holding a burrow does not necessarily make a substrate good. Most soils WILL hold a burrow. Considering this is clay based (or so the company says), I don't think it would be very good for burrowing reptiles at all. I've tried a natural clay substrate that I dug up here in Arkansas, and it worked terribly for my ackies. With the required moisture to hold a burrow, it was too compact and "sticky" (difficult to describe the feeling of moist clay). When it was loose enough to dig into, it didn't hold a burrow at all. And from what I have read at some of the uro threads pertaining to this, this stuff holds the burrows at first, but eventually dries like concrete.

And, as mentioned, it is going to cost you a fortune to buy enough of that for a monitor set up. Even for ackies I don't think it would be worth a try.

Cheers,
Ryan
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There are three kinds of people in this world: people who can count and people who can't.

hmm, I think my ackie troughs have around three hundred pounds of dirt in each of them. Even if this stuff did work well, its definitely not going to be cost effective.

Is being breathable. If the entrance caves in, many species seal the entrance every night, Then the monitors would suffocate. Clay seals the soil.

On a side note, I use to work at a place that build large lakes and ponds and such. How you seal an artificial lake is spreading clay in the water, then running around in and outboard to keep it mixed up and it eventually sealed all leaks.

So, if it has clay those folks are out to kill a bunch of burrowing lizards.

The trouble with the firms that come out with this stuff is, they are only out to fill a market. Not benefit your animals. The reality is, most people kill off their pet long before the soil will kill them. Cheers

I meant to include how non-breathable clay was, but didn't think about it until after I posted.

Cheers,
Ryan
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There are three kinds of people in this world: people who can count and people who can't.

Hello,
I have not tried this product.
Common sense is telling me two things, though. I am finding it tough to believe that the best substrate for digging herps is going to come from a store... especially from the makers of the "habba hut"- half log thing... Best to you all- Mike

>>I know we are all aware of monitors burrowing needs. I know a few of us already have substrate their monitors love, like ProExotics' 'Pink Breeze', but they have a special source for it. Could this be the burrowing substrate for the rest of us? Its called 'Excavator' and its by Zoo Med. From the REPTILES magazine ad, it looks very good for desert monitors. I plan on either a pair of red ackies or a pair of kimberly rocks, both from Rare Earth or Pro Exotics. This substrate, from what it appears, looks to be the excellent for burrows. Has anyone tried it or seen it used? I cant find much about it, as its brand new. Lets hope this is the perfect substrate!
>>Link

Saw this stuff at the Backer Trade Show....it turns to concrete when it dries. Nice if your kid wants to make a diorama for a school project but I wouldn't put it in with a living thing.
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Sonya

I'm not mean. You're just a sissy.
Happy Bunny

Monitors only need arid soils. I have seen good soil types in every state but Iowa(black soil) but I am sure its there somewhere. Its the stuff the farmers do not use, not good enough for crops.(which makes it safe for all the bad stuff they spray on crops we "eat"

DG, sucks but not as bad as other soils and not as good as many soils. That soil may work, but there are far better.

Also the title indicates to dig, monitors will dig in anything. heck even saw dust. That is not what its really needed for.

Heck again, you can raise and keep monitors on paper towels, the monitors do not like it, nor can they nest in it. But you can do it. The point is, giving them something they understand, and its outside nearly everywhere.

If you live in one of the rare areas where suitable soils are not available, then maybe your better off picking a species thats requirements that does not require particular soil. Like timors or many of the indo species.

In my experience, there are two basic substrate types, one for burrowing monitors(arid land species), poor draining soils. And one for Mesic/wetland/forest dwellers, which is leaflitter.

If you live where good aridland soils are not available, then surely you live where theres lots of leaflitter.

While it VERY easy for me to get desert soils, I live in the desert, its very difficult for me to get leaflitter, I have to drive about 100 miles.

So, I have mostly burrowing monitors, and a few forest monitors.

Please understand, that is not a very hard decision to make and it should be amoung the first you make. What species are you suited to keep. Then keep them properly.

Why that product is of no use. I do not care if its perfect for ackies. The amoung you need for either proper burrowing or proper nesting is at least 250 to 300 pounds. Now consider how much would it cost to SHIP that much, muchless buy it and ship it. Cheers

Thanks for the disturbingly fast responses. O_o I wasnt really for it at all, I thought it wouldnt work, being clay based, but I thought it was worth asking. I have read the ProExotics substrate FAQ (heck, read the whole thing 10 times over) , and lots of other things pertaining to this. I thought maybe I would give it a chance and see what you thought. To me, it was either going to turn out a pile of concrete crap, or a veritable playground for ackies. Now I know. By the way, I havent seen it in stores yet, have any of you? Just curious. If any of you live in the Virginia/Maryland/DC area, has anyone been able to find arid monitor suitable dirt around there? Plenty of leaf litter for other lizards and stuff, but not much in the way of soil. Thanks!

I use to go to the mid-atlantic show and stayed at the hotel right off the freeway. There was literally tons of perfect sandy soil there. I was looking at it and thinking I wish I had that close to my house. Cheers