Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I saw some being used at a Petco and it looked safe enough for a adult dragon. I've had my beardie on sand for several months now and I think she'll appreciate the change to something more earth like. I think it would also help me clean up better because instead of scooping sand, I can just take a wad of the soiled stuff out. Also, I would make sure that I use it once it has dried out only.

I wouldn't use it if it's not edible and digestable. I use either indoor/outdoor carpeting or the non-slip padded shelf liners sold at Walmart. Mattman uses them too and swares by them. You can see a photo of them on his website at http://www.mystical-dragons.com/index.htm

I am gradually switching all of my cages over to the non slip liners because they are easy to clean, look nice, and are very affordable. The beardies can't ingest it and don't get impacted.

Veronica
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Beautiful Dragons

OK, so that's one opinion...any others out there. Yay or Nay? I am familiar with the argument of impaction and yes it does happen, but my beardie has never been much of a substrate taster. Also, I want to get away from sand being that she might appreciate being able to dig better. As for my personal taste, I could not see myself liking a smooth plastic substrate, I like to give Giblet the option of burrowing in her tank, I just think it looks better and I don't might the extra cleaning step.

I think the problem with eco earth is that it would keep the humidity too high in the enclosure. You can't let it dry out or it will be like cement. I use it for my burrowing frog and my box turtles, but they need a humid environment. You might be able to try a sand/soil mix. I would bake the soil to kill anything that might be in it and also to dry it out.

Laura

I use it for my frilled dragons (wet & packed down). When dry, it's pretty loose and crickets could easily burrow in it... so if you use it, you'll need to feed your beardies in a separate container or use a feeding dish and break the jumping legs off the crickets.

>>I use it for my frilled dragons (wet & packed down). When dry, it's pretty loose and crickets could easily burrow in it... so if you use it, you'll need to feed your beardies in a separate container or use a feeding dish and break the jumping legs off the crickets.

I've never seen it but would think if it's loose when dry it would break easily maybe risking impaction. If it doesn't break but is still loose how well would a beardie be able to burrow into it? Also, I would think a sandbox would be the best thing to allow you beardie to burrow.

From everything I've read 100% of commercially produced substrates have been proven to cause problems with beardies. I'm pretty sure some of the most experienced people in this forum use sandboxes to give their beardies the option to dig and have indicated they love it!

Sandbox Pic
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Rob

i have one of my snakes on the stuff, and ocassionally he's swallowed some bark along with his mouse. it seems too risky to me for a beardie...itd be even harder to pass than sand. but if someone uses it, at least feed outside the enclosure definetely
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proud mama to:
1.0.0 ball python (mr snake),0.0.1 albino florida kingsnake (CK),1.1.0 leopard gecko (sebastian and vilma),0.1.0 colombian rainbow boa (luce),1.1.1 bearded dragon (kaipo, dulce, and kellen), 1.1.0 colombian redtailed boas (adam and eve)

plastic shelf liner:

*looks nice (choose your colors and paterns)
*easy to clean (spot clean with water and a few papertowels)
*crikets can't hide in it
*can be disinfected
*lasts a long time
*dragons won't eat it / swallow it
*easy to replace
*no weight -- if you have sand to remove it's heavy stuff to haul off.
*less of a "breeding ground" for cocidia

thats my $0.02
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