Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok been trying to find out what the heck vermiculite is (for a laying box), and where to find it. Is the vermiculite in a laying box supposed to be different from vermiculite in an incubator? Just thinking about the future...lol

Thanks, guys!
Jeni

Vermiculite is vermiculite although some is finer grained than others. I've heard of using vermiculite in a laying box but personally would never do it. Vermiculite is very light and sticks to everything. Your dragon and cage will be covered in shiny little bits of it. I'd use sand rather than vermiculite in a nest box. Vermiculite is available at garden stores. I've never had any luck getting it for Walmart as others have suggested.

Oh ok....so you just use the same sand in their cage...just wet?

Yup, same sand. Just get it warm and wet. 85 if you can. Really depends on how picky the dragon is. Don't pack it too tight either.

You can find vermiculite in garden centers, the garden part of most department stores, or in nursery type stores. Some department stores may only have vermiculite available seasonally so it may be hard to get in the fall or winter.

I also find most department stores or smaller garden centers only have small bags. A small bag may be fine for one or two clutches of eggs, but the small bags are not that much cheaper than the great big bags you can get at garden centers. I bought a huge thing of vermiculite...about the same size as the very large pine shaving bags you can find at walmart, for about 4 time the cost of the little bags of vermiculite. I am sure I have enough vermiculite to incubate eggs from my snakes, geckos and any future reptiles I may own, for the next 10 years LOL
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PHLdyPayne

Great....thanks guys!

lol, yeah it def. sucks trying to find Vermiculite in some areas it's hard to get. Not alot of places 'round me sold it. but persistence pays off.. the walmart near you sells it? that's good have to check that out

-Kristen

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5.2 Bearded dragons (Kunja,Mango,Lee,Stumpy,Blackie,Lily,O.C.)
1.0 Mali Uromastyx (Uri)
( Momma Beardie Julia, and Uros Max and Jacques have since passed, we love you)

Thank you for your advice!

She doesn't like the wet sand. What about untreated potting soil? (I kinda sorta already bought some lol)

Thanks!
Jeni