Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all... I usually use aspen for my snakes but thought I'd try some crushed walnut substrate for a while because it looks better. Is anyone familiar with this stuff? Is it digestable?

MissHisssss.

What species are you looking to keep on it? I presume you are referring to the desert blend substrate made by ESU? If so, I use this quite safely with my sand boas & rosy boas & have used it for children's pythons in the past as well. I also use it for things like Leopard geckos,bearded dragons etc. It is totally digestible & I have never had a problem with anything on it, the only caution I would advise is with humidity, as it is meant as a desert substrate (hence the name!) it therefore tends to be very quick to mould if kept too wet.

Hope this helps, feel free to e-mail me for any more advice.

Mike

Way back when I was a small lad and only had a few animals I used this. Its cheaper to buy in bulk and works very well for desert species. I kept my desert king on it, as well as some non deserts like corns and it worked very well. I would still recommend as little ingestion as possible as it could still result in impaction especially in smaller snakes.
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"Victory is reserved for those willing to pay its price"

While I never tried it with my snakes, a few years ago I used it for my blue tongued skink. Within a matter of hours, his belly was bright red and tender. I guess my problem is the exception, but it does seem pretty abrasive (maybe it has improved since then).

PS- it is the same stuff they use facial scrubs.

I live in the desert. It's for my Rosy, Kings, Milk, Corns and Glossy. This Stuff is being used at a reptile shop or I wouldn't have gotten it. It's called Kaytee All Natural Walnut litter for birds. After reading the package, though, I think I'll throw it away because it says that it shouldn't be ingested. Dog gone it.

Thanks ya all,
MissHisssss