I keep reading that its okay to use dirt from my yard as monitor substate. Is this true I have also heard it can have parasite and bugs in it. Can someone enlighten me? Thanks
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Is yard soil okay?
jz929rr
Jan 18, 2005 08:27 PM
Replies (1)
lwcamp
Jan 19, 2005 08:26 AM
>>I keep reading that its okay to use dirt from my yard as monitor
>>substate. Is this true I have also heard it can have parasite and
>>bugs in it. Can someone enlighten me? Thanks
Don't worry about bugs. They're not going to hurt your monitor. In fact, they may give your lizard and extra snack.
Parasites in your soil are not going to be adapted to monitors and will not infect them (assuming youa re in the US or Europe, here). Besides, monitors kept correctly can handle parasites.
However, not all yard soil is suitable. When I tried it, I got stuff that dried into a choking dust, turned into stinky slime when wet, and then became rock hard concrete when it dried again (only to turn into choking dust later). You'll need to experiment. Probably the best thing you can do is go to your local nursery or landscaping store and check out the dirts they have piled out back. Choose something that holds a burrow, holds moisture, but that drains well.
Good luck,
Luke
