i wouldn't recommend indoor/outdoor carpet as a substrate. it holds zero humidity and they can't burrow into it. in fact, i've heard of tegus getting their toes caught in the carpet and getting their nails yanked out.
i go with a mix 0f 50% screened topsoil, 25% play sand and 25% fine vermiculite. you just pour water in to keep humidity up.
topsoil and vermiculite are dirt cheap (HA!) while the play sand is a little more expensive.
i gave my tegus about eight inches of that and they love it! they burrow like crazy, sometimes they even do it right up against the glass and i can see into their tunnel system!
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if nothing else, i at least amuse myself!
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substrates
bukinara
Nov 09, 2003 08:41 PM
Replies (3)
bukinara
Nov 09, 2003 08:42 PM
oops
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if nothing else, i at least amuse myself!
tegulizards
Nov 09, 2003 11:23 PM
I have recently heard that vermiculite contains asbestos and that the safe alternative is "perlite" same but safer materials. Big Apple Herp is the place I heard that but I dont think they sell perlite. Just a tidbit of new info... LUNG DISEASES SUCK!
bukinara
Nov 10, 2003 11:57 AM
i've never seen any ill effects arise from using vermiculite and i used them for incubating leopard geckos and in their hides for years. i think you have to be extra careful with making sure your animals don't ingest any perlite, because that would mess them up big time. i'll look into it though.
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if nothing else, i at least amuse myself!
