Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have found a landscaping supply place near my home and they have many different types of decomposed granites and sandy-type substrates. Anyways, they had only one that was a fine, red-colored limestone substrate that seemed like it would work very well. But, my question is would this be safe for my black throat monitor and not be harmful to his skin, eyes, or if ingested? Thanks in advance for any response.

Hi,

Sounds interesting. I was wondering what your qualifications for the substrate are? How did you come to the conclusion it was better than the others you looked at? *curious*
Thanks!
-H-

I dont really have substrate qualifications whatever that might be but the reason i chose to check this landscape supply out is i've read that some people keeping Black throats have used decomposed granite soil mixes with great success and i was looking for a new substrate to use that would be more stimulating for my monitor something to dig in and possibly burrow the reason i asked about the limestone is that the decomposed granite they have is a very rough grade and didnt seem like it would work but right next to the heap of granite was this fine red limestone and when i put my hands in it messed with it a bit it seemed like something that might work pretty good and might even mix well with other soils or dirt to create a nice substrate for my animal to live on so what i was curious to know is if anyone has had experience with a similar limestone substrate and if it would be safe to try good or bad for the health of my monitor Thanks

I didn't have time to read this site but it sounds like you can find your answers here.

http://www.minerals.co.nz/html/main_topics/resources_for_schools/industrial_minerals/indmin_cs_limestone.html

As for the requirements... I'll give you an example of mine. Were I looking at the limestone I would want first to know that its not toxic to monitors, (like you asked) I would want to see what it feels like really dry, does it have dusty powder that blows away? Does it have a lot of sharp edges? How about wet... Is it pasty? muddy? If you squeeze it does it hold a shape or fall apart? Does all the water run through the bottom or does it hold moisture well? Can you dig a stable tunnel in it or does it collapse? I would want to know if it dried hard like concrete. I too am trying to perfect my soil. I believe I know what I am looking for, (my requirements) I am having just as hard a time finding the perfect mix.
Thanks!
-H-

The reason decomposed granite has the rep it does was because one person thought it was a nice soil and used it. Everyone copied him.

Limestone is perfectly safe for monitors. In fact, limestone cannot cause impactions, because it dissolves in stomach acid (it neutralizes the acid in the process, so there might be some minor concern about the monitor needing to produce more digestive juices, but I would not worry about it).

My advice, try the limestone if that is what seems best to you. Then let your monitor tell you if it is acceptable. Maybe one day everyone will be copying you and using limestone.

Luke

Thank you Holly and Luke for responding I guess I'll have to just keep playing around with this stuff to see what works best
thanks

.... test it in a smaller tub first.

I plan to test the next soil I find by making a slope in a tub with a shallow and a deep end. I will water it and leave it out for a while (days). Try to dig a burrow in it . Let it dry out and see what it's like. Maybe even make notes on it. Maybe you are stonger than I, but holy cow hauling all that dirt is HARD. You don't want to find out you chose wrong when the enclosure is full. I have already done that more than once. What I have now is soil from our local mountain range. It's not too bad, minimal dust, I think it needs some softening though, it dries quite hard. I have another problem to fix first though, My mangroves water trough is TOO SMALL! I'm trying to find a suitable replacement which has turned out to be very difficult. I found a few things that might work, I'm going pool shopping saturday, wish me luck!

If you test the limestone, let us know what you find out!
Thanks
-H-

Hey Holly,

It is so nice to see you on the boards again.

With regards to your water tub problem. Have you tried "Tractor Supply Co." or another livestock type place? I have found some neat deals there & both poly & galvanize troughs. Some feed troughs on legs that raise them about a foot off the ground too. All I would have to do is put a drain hose on it an a valve for empting it.

Just a thought.
Gene