Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have been using washed play sand for my malis ever sience i got them about a year ago because i read that this was the correct substrate but i have been reading alot about using soil as a substrate for uros so i was wandering what you would reccomend also if you use soil what kind/mix of it do you use.

thanks for any help
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1.1 Mali Uro (Roadrunner and Wild E. Coyote)
1.0 Veiled Chameleon (Champs)
1.0 Jacksons Chameleon (Marvin)
0.0.2 Savannah Monitor (Komodo)
0.1 Tokay Gecko (Gex)
1.1 Ball Python (Mo)
0.0.1 Red Eared Slider (Franklin)
1.0 Snapping Turtle (Yertle)

In my opinion play sand is best. It doesn't create dust, it's easy to spot clean and inexpensive. I really don't see any advantage to using soil or mixed substrates. Soil by itself holds moisture which isn't good for uros and when it gets too dry it creates a lot of dust and it's just plain messy!!

If you do a search on substrate, or soil on this message board you will come up with a number of extensive threads discussing this very topic. It seems like a lot of very knowledgeable people are moving to a soil mix, but there do appear to be some definite steps that must be taken to make sure that it is set up properly for your Uro. I have not made the switch myself, and still keep my Uro on sand, but I recommend you read the threads, then ask questions, and make up your own mind about what substrate will work the best for you and your Uro. Keeping Uros happy and healthy is definitely a thinking activity!

Elizabeth

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1.0 Uro Archimedes
0.0 Fish
0.1 Sulcata Minnie
1.1 Iguanas Flik and Loki
0.1 Newfoundland Jasmine
0.1 Feline Winter
Indiana & Wisconsin

you can see our "archive" for Uro discussion, mostly centered around a usable soil substrate, at the link below. there is a lot of info there : )
PE Uro forum discussion archives

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robyn@proexotics.com

Pro Exotics Reptiles

I've never used sand for any of my animals for the simple fact that sand can cause impaction. It happens to regularly for me to put my animals at risk. Before using a dirt mixture, I used wheatbran. The same easy spot clean that sand has (even absorbs moisture) and it's also digestable. But After reading Robyn's posts about his success with dirt, I thought I'd give it a shot. I use a clay/sand/soil/virmiculite mixture. Since I got my uros (even before switiching to dirt) I've kept a monthly check on their weights and length. One month on dirt and ALL of them put on better then 10 grams in weight, were more active, Eatting MUCH better, and even their color improved. I'm convinced, My uros convinced me, that dirt is the way to go. As you can read in my post above yours, I recently switched them over to a 125 gal tank with about 5 inches of dirt in it. In the week they've been in there, They have tunnels running throughout the tank. If that doesn't prove they're happier, what does?
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2.0.0 Iguanas, 3.4.0 Beardies, 1.2.0 Saharan/Nigerian Uromastyx, 1.1.1 Leos, 0.0.1 African Fat Tail, 0.0.1 Fla Garter Snake, 0.0.1 Corn Snake, 0.0.3 Fire Belly Toads, 1.0.0 Eastern Painted Turtle, 0.0.1 African Sideneck, 2.1.0 Horses, 2.2.0 cats, 0.1.0 dog, and I'm done for now.....