Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just got a baby Flavi/Argus Cross at the IRBA show in San Diego! I was wondering how everyone felt about redwood mulch (cypress is nearly unheard of in California)? Would it hold a burrow? Thanks for the info.

No it wouldnt......go to a landscape place and get some sandy loam ....that works best provide a deep substrate because they love to dig and i mean dig.

here is a female flavi argus cross

her boyfriend

have a nice day

What is sandy loam? Does it come in one bag or do you have to mix different things? Also, how messy is it? I've been looking away from dirt because of the weight and the mess/dust that I would have to constantly clean. My cross will be housed in a 60 gallon for now. Does the sandy loam hold moisture? I've been looking at mulch because it comes in one bag, holds moisture, is somewhat "clean", absorbs odor, and is light-weight. Is redwood okay?

Also do flavi/argus crosses "tripod" or just argus?

They both tripod argus more so than any other ones. If you want your animal to live a normal life and do what a gouldii complex monitor likes to do which is dig burrow and be active then sandy loam or dirt is the way to go. I would stay away from tanks they suck .....the humidity escapes the screen top and they allow for little room plus it would be a pain in the butt to fill up with substrate. I would build a wood enclosure, but if you insist on the tank for now then cover the screen top with a piece of acrylic or some aluminum foil to prevent humidity loss. make a few holes for air exchange. If this is baby or small animal fill that 60 gallons with at least 12 inches of sandy loam or dirt....the mulch will not hold or make burrows if you dont want it to be so heavy mix it with some bed a beast. they like it hot so make sure you have a good ambient of 70 low end 80's to 90's middle to hot end and a hot spot of 130

hope this helps .....and no you dont buy sandy loam in bags go to a landscape place they might provide you with bags but bring buckets.

My biggest problem with mulch is it had to be changed too often.
I use dirt from a local sand and gravel place, throw in a few dozen earthworms and the dirt breaks the waste down and feeds the worms that the lizards dig up and eat.
Ahh......... the cycle of life.
I have a baby argus in a 40 gallon breeder with about 8 inches of dirt. My biggest problem is digging the mud out of the water bowl. I am working on a 8X4X4 cage for it.

Scott
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Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.

If you used a dirt/sand mixture there would be no dust. You need to keep it damp by pouring water into it. This makes it hold a burrow. The bacteria in the dirt also helps to break down the monitors waste. It is a lot easier to work wit than it would seem. The worst part is knowing that you are putting DIRT in your HOME. haha
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Ed

These heat lamps make my electric bill to high.