Reptile & Amphibian Forums

the pet store didn't have anymore repitle sand so i got the only thing they had. It is dessert blend lizard litter. It is supposedly safer than sand and is meant for desert lizards? Anyone know anything about it?

http://www.petsmart.com/products/product_14114.shtml

if i remember rightly i heard this stuff isnt good for leos in the same ways as sand.
the problem i can see with crushed wallnut shells is impaction and the possibility of respiratory problems if the walnut bedding is dry which it probably will be or should be for a leo set up. i may be wrong but the walnut shells may create dust when it is dry just like bed-a-beast.
in my opinion leos should only be on paper towels or repticarpet or even felt..but what you use is totally up to you.
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definantly not. I had a subadult leo(6 1/2 in.) die because of impaction on this stuff. It is the only substrate that I ever had a problem with. You can just go down to Lowe's or Home Depot and get a 50 lb. bag of washed play sand for only 3 bucks. This is much better than crushed walnuts. Throw the walnuts out.
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Josh
My Email

Definitely NOT! i'd advise taking them off of it as soon as possible, and just use paper towel or repticarpet in place of it until you find more sand. I can't remember who was telling me aobut it because i put a post up about this a long time ago, i think it was starling or candy or someone, and it's real bad for their digestive systems if they eat it...and as someone already said, their leo died from it.

It really should be a crime to sell this garbage. Crushed walnut shells have very sharp edges, which rip up a leo's intestines when ingested. What's worse, they start to swell with blood and liquid in the intestines, causing impaction along with the internal bleeding, and a painful death.

A lot of people have come on this board have had leos die from this stuff, it's about the worst substrate you could possible use, except maybe rat poison pellets...or cedar shavings...or other poisons.

There is nothing wrong with crushed wallnut shell if you use it for the right things. I have been raising baby snakes on it basically since it has appeared on the market and I have never had a problem. I agree, it is not for use with lizards but to say it should be a crime to sell it is not a very educated opinion. I know this is a LG forum but so snake keeping is not generally discussed but blanket statements like that one can't be ignored.

Steve Schindler

if you are going to use sand, buy the WASHED playsand. It's white beach sand and they sell it at Toy's R Us in 50# bags for $4.99 (depending on your area).
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i had thought i heard that this was a bad substrate, but i didn't even buy it (my mom did ) i cant blame her for anything becuase this garbage says its recommended for all species of lizards and even says its safer than sand. Anyway... thanks again for everyone who replied and im glad i was suspicious enough to post this question before i used it.

Sand is very risky but crushed walnuts sound even worse!!! Basically, sand may impact a leo, but walnut chunks will impact and slice a leo's esophagus, stomach, and intestins. Personally, I use paper towels after having some frightening experiences with sand.

Cleo
1:1 leos...soon to be 1:5!!!