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I just bought a bag of ground walnut shells to use as substrate for my monitor. It has not been put in the tank yet because I read an instruction booklet for a heating pad that had a caution statement that said, "do not use cedar products, ground corn cob, or walnut shells as a substrate with reptiles and amphibians."

Does anyone know why or if that statement is incorrect?

Also, what is the most ideal substrate for a black roughneck monitor?

Walnut shells are fine. They are harmless if swallowed and pass easliy through your monitor. I've used walnut shells with bearded dragons and a few other species of lizard, including my argus for a short time. The best substarte for a black roughneck would not be walnut shells though as they do not hold moisture all that well. Peat moss works great and I use it with all my monitors mixed with sand and clay. It makes a perfect digging substrate. Its readily available and inexpensive. It is only 5 bucks for 50 square feet.

Thanks again, I greatly appreciate the info.

I recently stumbled upon this website and forum, and have found all the information and expertise very helpful.

Hi,
It probably has to do with catching fire - perhaps these dry objects may have a low burning point and increase of catching fire is higher than say, dirt...
Good Luck,
mbayless

Walnuts are a member of the Juglandaceae family. Members of this family are known to produce a toxin called juglone for use in allelopathy (a.k.a. plant chemical warfare). It basically stops other plants from rooting. Try using walnut tree leaves as mulch in your garden and you won't grow anything... not even weeds! Anyway I've heard of it being harmful to some birds... considering the very close relationship between birds and reptiles I'd stay away from it as bedding myself... I still use dirt for my Blackthroat.
-Brent