Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have another post from a week ago regarding "what is the best type of dirt to use in a savannah Monitors cage"? Since that post (Thank you to everyone who responded) I decided to purchase some Top Soil. It works well but not to the degree needed for burrowing properly. Anyhow I was looking on Kingsnake and I was reading about a product called Zoo Med Excavator which advertizes to do exactly what my Savannah is looking for. I know it is pricey but do you think it is worth the investment vs utilizing soil? (trying to find that perfect mix)

Also, I read to stay away from clay as it is too binding. It appears that this product has or is clay, what’s the consensus on that?

Any info on this product would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Eric

Use a soil substrate. That stuff shouldn't be used for animals as with most of zoomeds substrates. My zoomed rep gave me a case of it and we through it in a bucket added the amount of water it called for then we left it there for a week. We dumped it out and it was solid as a rock. Thanks Ian

Hey Ian,

Thank you so much for answering this question. I didn't know of anyone who used it and wanted feedback before spending $1 per pound or something outrageous like that.

Eric

Howdy I meant to say something about the top soil last time you posted but I saw you had already purchased it. Top soil will continue to crumble. There are three kinds of "dirts" in nature. Sand, loam, and clay, anything you will ever find is some combination of 2 or three of these. Obviously clay is just clay and sand is just sand etc. What you need for your monitor is called sandy loam. Absolutely amazing for holding a deep burrow. The tops of the soil will dry out and the inside of a den will hold moisture. I have only one young savannah monitor. My advice is not from being an experienced keeper its from being a landscaper so all I know is dirt, rocks, and plants. If you have a local stone yard the sandy loam is cheaper than you can imagine.

I'll have to check that out. Is that the name for it when I call up to ask? does it go by other names?

Yeah just sandy loam and around here (texas) it goes for less 30 bucks a cubic yard which will turn out to be like 1/3 ton get a truck and good luck. I can't wait to build my big cage with it.

Been calling all kinds of landscaping and stone places in my area and they seem clueless as to what I'm talking about. Any advice?

I know its time consuming but go to a stone yard or somewhere that you know has tons of diferent dirts and dig. That is the only other advice I have. If it has the same traits I mentioned in the previous post its your stuff. Good luck.

I forgot dig with your hands not a shovel you need to actually feel the dirt (you know be the dirt and all that jazz).

nice man..."if you build it, they will burrow"

thanks again I'll let ya know how it goes