Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi-
are alfalfa pellets ok for beardies? Also- are compact fluorescents ok? I use 3 10.0's for my bts- thanks
P.S>
woul;d aspen be ok?Thanks,
Zach

Alfalfa pellets can be eaten and possibly cause impaction. I have known at least one person and read of others that had this problem. The pellets can also become moldy...no good for man or beast.Some compact bulbs have been associated with eye problems in the past.

Alfalfa pellets are not good for dragons as bedding. The plant itself, alfalfa leaves, can be used in dragon salads (not sprouts, the mature plant leaves). The pellets could be used in addition to fresh salad (best to soak them in water and break them up and sprinkle ontop of a salad).

I don't like any grain or food based substrate for dragons or most reptiles for that matter. Or even mammals. Its one thing to feed alfalfa pellets to rabbits etc, but to use it as a bedding as well...and have them poop and pee and spread fecal matter all over the food they eat...not healthy at all.

Also, grain based substrates, (alfalfa, wheat bran, etc.) tend to encourage or come with various grain eating bugs, like grain mites, moths, and other stuff which can spread through your entire house. These bugs are not a parasite but most people don't like a bunch of moths and white worm like things all over the place. That and being dry, these pellets will soak up all moisture, and if it stays damp, can harbor mold, germs, bacteria etc.

I have never been a fan of the compact bulbs, not just because some brands have caused photo-kerato-conjunctivitis in various reptiles, including dragons. Some still can cause this. Also, compact bulbs tend to be super bright and limited in where they push UVB (pretty much right under the bulb, leaving the rest of the cage without any UVB exposure. Better to use the long tube florescent bulbs.

You mentioned you have 3 10.0 compact bulbs for your blue tongue skinks which worries me. Are you using three bulbs for a single skink? BTS's don't really need much UVB (in fact many debate if they need it at all) so having this much UVB may end up doing more harm or good...depending on how high the cage is and how active your skink is in the daytime. Mine tended to be more active during morning and evening. The rest of the day they hid. Unless I brought food into the cage then they came out. Probably a huge waste of money to have three bulbs of UVB in their cage, when these skinks tend to remain hidden during the day anyway.
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PHLdyPayne

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