Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,
What substrates, other than sand, can a Uro be kept on? Are Aspen shavings alright??

I have a customer with a Mali who is fairly allergic to the fine dust that comes from her sand when doing a substrate change. Her last sand change sent her into a full blown asthma attack. What can I recommend to her as an alternative??
-----
Owned (and trained) by: 3 Chihuahuas, an AmStaff, a Rottie Mix, a Savannah Monitor, a Veiled Chameleon, 3 Toads, a Fat-tailed Gecko, 2 mice and 4 Bettas

Don't know about the shavings, but nothing about "shavings" sounds good. There's other option out there. Millet, repti-sand (for the rich), newspaper, actual dirt/soil, and more (I just can't think of them right now). I use the sand but don't have the uros in the tank when changing it out for the very reason of the dust.
You should get more opinions and feedback on different substrates. Always a well covered topic.
-----


2.1 - Rocky, Runako, and RoxyIII (my care sheets)

I actually wear a painters' dust/odor mask when changing the Uros tank for the same reason. Though I only change it out twice a year. She might be happier with a millet substrate, my Uros did not do as well on it, since they preferred to eat the millet seed to their greens, but a number of people on here really like the millet. Newspapers may be a good option, though it depends on the Uro. Some of them are avid diggers, while others seem to not care too much one way or the other. From listening to people, it sounds like a properly set up soil substrate is a great option for the Uro, but it takes more work and research to maintain and set up, and can also get very dusty.

She may not have considered the painter's mask, it is an easy solution if she only has the problem while changing out the sand. They tend to be relatively cheap, and last quite a long time (under 10 bucks).

Elizabeth
-----
1.0 Mali Uro Archimedes (May he rest in peace)
0.0.1 Egyptian Uro Zuberi Mosca Khu (Mosca)
0.0 Fish
0.1 Sulcata Minnie
1.1 Iguanas Flik and Loki
0.1 Newfoundland Jasmine (RIP)
0.1 Feline Winter
Indiana & Wisconsin

>>She may not have considered the painter's mask, it is an easy solution if she only has the problem while changing out the sand. They tend to be relatively cheap, and last quite a long time (under 10 bucks).
>>
That's funny. I actually read it quickly and thought that the uro was having the asthma problems

Yes, if the uros is good on the sand, then the mask my be a cheap and easy alternative.
-----


2.1 - Rocky, Runako, and RoxyIII (my care sheets)

While our adults are all on sand, I really question it's benefit. Uros don't want to just throw sand around, they're trying to dig a burrow & that can't happen in sand. And it's dusty stuff even when washed. Birdseed, well, we went that route several years ago & trust me, you don't want a moth infestation in your house. Besides, the millet seems indigestable & competes with their appetite for more nutritious stuff. The ages-old stand-by, newspaper, is hard to beat. Not pretty but very practical & sanitary. Has anybody worked with "decomposed granite"? I've read about it on the monitor forum & it sounds great but I've no idea where to find it.

I dont' know anything about decompsed granite, but with a bit of interenet searching, what I did find wasn't to promising. If memory serves, big and small chunks, jagged edges (not good if consumed), and died different colors.

I'd definately look into it deeper before tryin it.

JMHO
-----


2.1 - Rocky, Runako, and RoxyIII (my care sheets)

we use the DG, and i go more in detail on soil and DG on our FAQ at our site. it comes in different grades, the selection we had here in south Denver covered four or five, we use the finest one.

we have had over 50 tons delivered to our facility. it works well enough for what we want, and it is available in mass quantity at a local landscape wholesaler, but if i had my first choice, i would rather have just a nice diggable soil. unfortunately, i haven't found that available in 50 ton sizes.

the "Home Depot mix" of topsoil, sand and vermeculite works very well as a basic usable "lizard soil" in a 50/25/25 mix, that is a good place to start to learn about what makes a good soil...
-----
robyn@proexotics.com

Pro Exotics Reptiles

>>the "Home Depot mix" of topsoil, sand and vermeculite works very well as a basic usable "lizard soil" in a 50/25/25 mix, that is a good place to start to learn about what makes a good soil...
>>-----
Does the home depot mix already come in the 50/25/25 mix? Or is that something you have to mix up yourself? If it's premade, I may try it.

-----


2.1 - Rocky, Runako, and RoxyIII (my care sheets)

it isn't premade, you just buy the ingredients, and combine it yourself. the percentages are hard set, you just mix it, add water, play with it until you get a good mix and consistency.
-----
robyn@proexotics.com

Pro Exotics Reptiles

I once used sand with my saharan and my asthma was awful when I cleaned it so i switched to millet. Even the millet is less dusty, I still kicks me into asthmatic mode and so I have to wear a mask when I change his substrate. Masks are the way to prevent!!!