Reptile & Amphibian Forums

just trying to find something absorbant and safe. I do not want a cage liner or anything of that type. I want *bedding.*

Someone earlier said they use wehat bran bedding. I assume they meant WHEAT bran? If so, what exactly is this? I thought at first that they meant that sweet scoop (made out of wheat) kitty litter, but then realized he said it looked like sand. Sweet scoop does not.

Where do I get this bedding? I'm in a pretty big city, so I should be able to find whatever store you buy it at...

I was looking at a petstore today and saw yesterday's news cat litter - made out of recycled newspaper - would that be safe? I've heard great things about it for cats and they also had a ferret variety in a different section. It didn't say anything about digestibility, but I will assume it's somewhat safe since a lot of people keep their BD's on newspaper (though BD's surly don't attempt to eat flat paper as they might with chunks...).

*sigh* I'm so frustrated. I would consider myself a pretty educated person in regards to animal care and I just don't know what to do. Sometimes it seems like the more research a person does, the more confusing it gets. Wish I could just buy a bag of sand and put him on it like normal people do!

I just have a hard time believing that of the amazing variety of beddings on the market, none of them are safe. It just seems ridiculous because I know many people safely grow their lizards up on sand, bark, and so forth with no issues.

Money is not an issue...I'm willing to pay for good bedding, if I could just figure out what that is.

I have read that Wheat bran is found at the grocery stores and also feed stores. The human quality I think is better since I have heard of bugs being in the animal quality bran. Hope that helps some. I have never used it, but have read a lot about it.

I have used sand on all my beardies once they are about 6months old without any problems. The biggest problems i have seen are with the Calcium sand products available on the market. These products cause major impactions. But, as i said, i have used fine playground sand with no adverse affects.
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1.0 green iguana-Deitrich
1.1 Common Boa-Un-Named, Ursula
1.0 Ball Python-Anabell (go figure!)
1.0 Red Tegu-Uteg
1.0 Albino Cal King-Pig
0.1 Mexican Black King-Morticia
1.1 Bearded Dragons-Unnamed, Hanabil
1.0 Albino San Diego Gopher-Unnamed
0.1 Hermans tort-Esio
1.1 JCP-Milton, Medusa
1.1 Reverse Okeetee Corn-Unnamed
0.1 Snow Corn-Unnamed
1.0 Hypo Okeetee Corn-Unnamed
0.1 Motley Okeetee-Unnamed
1.0 Western Hoggie-Wyrm
0.0.1 Rose Hair Taruntla-Unnamed
2.0 Leopard Geckos-Reptar, Pogo
4.1 cats-Tucker,Poe,Abhib,Emerald, Felicity
0.1 Bullmastiff-Asha

Ok, this photo pretty much explains it all. This is not my photo, but I did get permission to use it from the person. This is the sand and stuff that was removed from this beardie after being housed on sand.

Sean

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Heart Mountain Herps

mine is like 14 - 15 inches long. He is in a 30" long tank and takes up atleast half of it head to tail.

Does anyone have and evidence or personal experience with a BD mine's size having impaction problems with sand?

I think it depends on the beardie. Mine has been on playsand since she was 15 inches or so, and she doesn't eat the sand. She mainly eats salad out of a bowl tho, so chasing insects isn't a big issue. If your dragon is mainly a vegatarian he would probably be fine on sand. I have heard good things about wheat bran tho, and it is very cheap if you buy it at a feed store...just as cheap as playsand.
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Mom to:

1 little boy born 7/19/04
2 male RES, born 2001
1 ribbon snake, age unknown
3 FBT, ages unknown
1 female bearded dragon, born 5/2002
1 male lab mix, born 5/24/03
1 female calico cat, born 6/7/04

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edited signature file [phw 10/19/04]