Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey guys I have decided to change my substrate to playsand I have been useing shelfliner for a while now but I don't think my beardies seem as happy on it. I went to toysrus last night to buy some play sand but they were out who else sells the kind they sale. I know I can get the kind they have a homedepot and I might have to but it is a pain because you have to resift it. Any Ideas.

If I were looking to buy sand as a substrate I would make sure that the sand was derived naturally (dug up) and not man made. Natural sand (of any size) is worn smooth in nature. Man made sand is crushed through a mechanical process and has not had the benefit of time to wear it down. It is sharp and jagged.

Hope this helps and good luck.

Ian

Hmmm.... never thought of that! Good to know! The jagged edges are what actually cause the impaction by "locking together" right?

Later,
Robert
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A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds,
adored by little statesmen, philosophers and divines.
Ralph Emerson

Hi Robert,

Please know that I have very little experience with "impacted" animals. That being said, I keep my monitors and sub-adult/adult beardies on sand that is naturally derived - in some cases I go and dig it up myself. I am not sure about whether the jagged edges lock the particles up or not - doesn't sound unreasonable. I just don't want my animals swallowing little sharp pieces of glass on a regular basis. In nature these animals live on dirt/sand and you can be sure they ingest a reasonable amount of it over the course of their lives (no paper towels and shelf liner out in the bush). But that dirt/sand is again "natural" and has been worn smooth. I speculate and it has been my experience that the animals don't have trouble passing such material. I'm sure if any animal swallowed something the size of a boulder it could be a problem.

On the other hand, I just cut open a baby beardie that I had pass only to find a large particle of sand (natural sand) in his belly. Was that the cause of his death? I don't know. He had some symptoms that may indicate such was the case. I did switch the babies over to paper towels in case and for ease of care. Also, the sand I had many of the babies on was sometimes larger than the finest of fine. I know other folks have had good luck keeping babies on fine sand.

It is my opinion that it is not an issue with the larger animals (sub-adults and adults).

So there's a response much longer than you wanted .

Good luck with your animals and take care,

Ian

It's about $2.50 for a 50lb bag.
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1 Thoroughbred
1 Mali Uromastyx
1 Bearded Dragon
1 Corn Snake
1 Milk Snake
3 German Shepherds
2 Birds (Conure and Cockatiel)
2 Rabbits
4 Fish tanks (SW and FW)

the kind at my home depot is very dusty i would wait till toys r us gets theres its dust free pure white and very clean