Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i like the soil you keep in that 6' x 2.5' x 3'(tall) cage. what is it? to me it kind of looks like a soil/sand mix is it? does soil sand mixes work?

pictures would help alot!
Alex Oliver

It is a mixture of compost (nothing smelly), peat, dirt, and sand. It works OK for raising some species, as it does hold a burrow, but I think it holds too much water, and works too well for incubating crickets.

Ackies did horribly in it, I'd recommend getting some sort of sand type mixture from a creek bed for them.

Goulds and Argus did OK, but again I feel it was too wet, and I was on the verge of having problems because of it. I now have these on very similiar sandy soil, that the ackies are on, the jury is out on how that works.

Peachies are what I got it for originally, and it does seem to do the job for raising them acceptably, especially with leaf litter on top. But it is a total failure as far as nesting goes, I still have not figured out any nesting for any of the species I have, but I know some things that don't work, this is one of them.

What species were you thinking of?

--Robert

ackies and sand monitor crosses.
it sucks right now because i have a broken leg!!!! and i'm searching for good dirt in my car but i can't go and dig it up because i'm a gimp!

but i want to be able to know good dirt from bad dirt and what work and what doesn't work.

pictures help because i can see the consistently of the dirt.
Alex Oliver

Hey that sucks you broke your leg, ah well 6 weeks of using coathangers to kill the itch.
Do you have sand argus crosses?

well i have one on hold at b.r.r.r!!
i had a long talk on the phone with them. they are really nice people and are very good at what they do. they have 5 more hatchlings for sale you could have a trio??? pluss this clutch of hatchlings look more on the flavi side. and i saved the best part for last all their breeders are from Frank Retes!!! they sell their hatchling for $200 shipped

well i like them
oh p.s never use coathangers to scratch!!! i got one stuck in my cast and i just cut the end off. so i guess sparks are going to fly when they take it off. LOL

Alex Oliver

Haha! Isn't that a coincedence I just received a cross from Jeremy Myers today. I'm addicted, hehe. He is definitely a great guy to deal with,very proffesional and creme de la crop. Plus all the stock is coming from Retes which to be honest, doesnt get any better.

This new guygirl I got is ruling the roost as we speak, colors stand out like a sore thumb. He's also kicking a$$ all over the place, owning all the burrows and stealing all the crickets.Email me when you get them, we'll talk crosses.

PS Stop using coathangers, just bang your foot against the wall very hard, hehe.

n/p
Alex Oliver

I'll take some pictures tomorrow and post em. My batteries are dead right now. Too bad since these guys are still up partyin'. Haha

Hey, I forgot to tell you how much I like you new additions! I saw the pics, but never got around to saying anything! I promise Ill write you when I get back from camping on Sunday. Ill be posting lots of pics here on monday as well!!! Be ready!!! Hahahaha!!!

All the best,
Ms. Butthead!

Hello ms. butthead,jk. Thank you very much! Have fun on your camping trip and yeah post some pics, will ya.
Best of luck, Beavis

Saw him this morning and hes starting to shed, will post one once hes done.

I think it is most important that they use the dirt (ie burrow). I do not have any crosses, just goulds and argus, perhaps someone will correct me if I am wrong about sandXargus crosses. I would start with a very sandy soil, that drains well, and holds a burrow when it is not wet to the touch.

The store bought stuff is made for gardening or construction and is often less than suitable for lizards. Some landscape supply places, have piles of dug up dirt, in different incarnations that are not manufactured, you could look there, but dirt is not a matter of finding a pile just once, you will probably end up switching out different types. It gets to be more work as the monitors/enclosures get bigger.

Good Luck,

--Robert

what kind of pictures were you thinking of? The clearest most straight forward tests for dirt, are to see if it retains a burrow and is diggable (does not harden), and that water will drain and not puddle. The rest is watching and adjusting to suite what they want.

--Robert