I've read that outdoor dirt is a good substrate, since it contains bacteria that break down food and feces and helps to keep the cage clean. But is there any danger of parasites? Any chance of the lizard picking up harmful bacteria in the soil?
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Dirt?
whoami?
Aug 25, 2004 01:19 PM
Replies (2)
varanidfan
Aug 25, 2004 07:31 PM
i have not heard of any problems with parasites, you will however want to collect soil that i free of pesticides, and any kind of chemicals.
SHvar
Aug 25, 2004 09:13 PM
Ive noticed those who insist that your animals are gonna get parasites from anything outdoors have no formal knowledge or experience with the subject. 99.999% of all parasites internal or external are species specific, or genus specific, etc. They wont get ticks or mites unless they are specific to reptiles. Ants are the main problem with outdoor dirt, I just kill them as I see them, SQUISH!! Worms that may be found in dirt, are either food or species specific parasites. I use dirt in every reptile cage period. FR mentioned to me on another forum about his former fast growing rapid reproducing beardies that were kept on dirt and sometimes outdoors, they lived to be 14 years old, with no diseases or parasites either.
Find dirt that has a content similar to the species need as in mineral content, content or lack of organic material, etc etc,
Good luck.
