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What is the BEST substrate for a bearded dragon? I'm currently using coconut fibre but I'm wondering if there's anything easier to clean/replace? I was suggested by a reptile breeder to use aspen shavings, is this true?

Sorry I meant to write: Is it true aspen shavings are the best substrate?

I don't recommend aspen shavings for a bearded dragon at all. Too much a risk of impaction. So I would say aspen is one of the worse substrates to use with bearded dragons. Best substrate for dragons I recommend is paper towel. Easy to clean, cheap, no risk of impaction. If you want more color to the cage, non stick shelf liner can be used as well, it is easy to spot clean and you can take it out and give it a more proper cleaning once a month (just swap out with another clean piece and rotate between the two).

Plastic table cloth is another option and it can just be thrown out after a month or so (with daily spot cleaning).

If you want a particulate substrate, then regular washed and sifted children's play sand is best.
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PHLdyPayne

I'm considering either tiles or the shelf liner you recommended, I'm just worried about crickets hiding under the liner. Thanks for your suggestions.

I use washed play sand and most people i know do. As long as you make sure the sand grains are small I have not had problem with impaction and mine loves to dig in it.
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Tom
1.2.0 Leopard Gecko
0.0.1 California King Snake
0.1.0 Sulcata Tortoise
0.0.2 Russian Tortoise
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1.0.0 Bearded Dragon
0.0.1 Savannah Monitor
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0.1.0 Australian Shepheard
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0.1.0 Ferret
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0.0.2 Fire Belly Newts
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Lots Of Fish

I use ceramic tile in mine he loves it.
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Steve Irwin you changed the way people look at reptiles forever. Crocodile Hunter you will be missed.

I use Ceramic slate like tile,
Heres a question for any other tile users, 3 weeks now with the tile, I LOVE the look, so clean, but my dragon has barly any nails left like 3 mm of a nice soft curved nail, is this alright?
at night he occassionally scratchs a corner for 5 min at lights out,
any advice, or is this all good?

Why would regular play sand be best? Can't that cause an impaction? I was told the only sand that's even remotely "ok" to use is something made of calcium that is digestable if ingested. I was told calcisand and vitasand. Is this true?

>>What is the BEST substrate for a bearded dragon? I'm currently using coconut fibre but I'm wondering if there's anything easier to clean/replace? I was suggested by a reptile breeder to use aspen shavings, is this true?

I use rabbit pellets and have never had a problem with them. It also masks the oder of their fecal some what too.
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