Reptile & Amphibian Forums

for months now, and I'm still not getting it right. I can make a mix that will hold a burrow if it is pretty damp, but not once it dries out a bit. My local dirt stinks; full of organic stuff that turns into a sandy ooze with any moisture. I've tried several mixes, and my ackies will not dig in it other than to make a little hollow under one or another of the cork bark piles. Where is all this digging I hear about? Or does their constant re-arrangement of my cork bark count as proper ackie fun? How damp can my substrata be without being too damp?

So i'm obviously doing something wrong in the dirt department. Right now I've got a combination of my local dirt, sand and coconut fiber. Any suggestions on what to add to make it better? [Please be kind, Frank; I'm trying. (haha)]

Mom, I am always nice to you. Cause your nice to me. This two way street should be easier to understand then dirt, but its not.

Dirt is a constant improvement. The important part is learning to read the ackies. To be aware that they like(use) or dislike(not use) something. Ackies dig, that is an important part of their life. You strive to give them that part of their life. That is good.(u don't have to U know)

Everyone wants to think I get it right the first time. Sure i did, I got it kinda right after about ten years of doing it. Hmmmmmmmmmm an I am the one who is suppose to be egotistical. I think the ones who have to have it right the first time or think they got it right the first time are overvaluing themselves a bit(they are the ones whos egotistical) Why don't they just start somewhere and move forward?

We are a bit alike, we just keep on keeping on. Thats the game, not the dirt or getting it right. So Mom, keep on keeping on, it will work out, and value the little steps. Cool beans, FR

Thanks, Frank! I just get frustrated because if I'm going to have the little guys, I want to give them whatever they need. I'm getting so I can read them a bit, and they clearly are not getting everything they need to be able to dig to their little hearts content. I'm sure this affects them in ways I don't yet understand. And with only the two ackies, I don't have any comparison.

I'm doing better with the rescue sav that started this whole thing. He (actually, I am now thinking that 'Bubba' may be a she)is acting pretty much like a monitor. I'm also getting the trust, which is pretty cool.

I know it is a process, but at this point I feel woefully inadequate in the dirt department! Lousy Florida dirt! Maybe I could get you to send me some of the dirt you use, so I could get a better idea what it is I am trying to accomplish. I'll pay; I just think I need to play in the 'good stuff' to be able to figure out what is missing in my mixture.

Thanks again, and I'm looking forward to seeing you at Daytona this year.

Leslie

Where do you live in Fla? north, central, south? I may be able to help. FR

I live in east central Florida; just down the road from Daytona Beach. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Lealie

I sure do Mom, I use to live in Ocala national forest, by Lake Kerr. Any of the high pine areas have a sandy base. You know, where the gopher tortoises burrow, that stuff should work fine. Remember to pick from areas where is not pure sand, but has lots of fines as well. Good Luck and let me know how it goes. FR

Thanks, Frank! I'll have to take a trip up there. Although, my area is pretty similar. I have gopher turtles nesting under my house, which is why I tried using the 'good brown dirt' that comprises the mound my house sits on, but the ackies won't burrow in the stuff. I think the problem is that in huge quantities, it stays moist enough to hold, but in the quantities we use in a box, it won't hold the moisture the same way.

"All dirt is not created equal!"

Leslie

I use the dirt from my yard it is brownish in color. My ackies burrow in it like crazy. I am in PSL just south of you.

The reason i chose this type of dirt compared to the other more sandy lighter colored dirt was its what the local reptiles were burrowing in.
-----
"Don't just use something because you read it worked, use that something because it does work. If you are to listen to anyone listen to your monitor."

The stull here is brown, but very sandy. My yard dirt is VERY organic; you can grow anything in it, but when wet it gets slimy and sticky. I've had to order multiple tons of sand for my horse paddocks to get it to drain. Otherwise, in the rainy season, my horses sink literally up to their hocks! The mound dirt packs better, but the ackies don't like it. Hmmmm... Maybe a combination of the two...

LOL! My husband is going to love me... "OK, dear, now two shovelfulls of this stuff...no..wait, a shovel and a half..."

Actually, the alligators dig fine in the bank of the pond, but the stuff there is so wet, I think it would be too soggy for the ackies. LOL! Playin' in the dirt....

Leslie

Here is what I dug up and use for my dirty monitors.

-----
"Don't just use something because you read it worked, use that something because it does work. If you are to listen to anyone listen to your monitor."

No, not really, mine is darker brown and finer, which I suspect is part of the problem. It goes to loose sand and dust when dry. But I do think I've seen some dirt like that somewhere...now if I could just remember where...

Dirt raid!!! (Well, officer, you're not going to believe this but...)

Leslie