Jim when I lived in California I had several checkereds, I kept them for nearly 4 years and they did have an issue with the sand, just was my experience and so I thought it note worthy to make a comment about it. There are other substrates that are from river beds and have smooth pebbles and the grains are smooth as well. If one can find this type of substrate I think I would recommend that.
Awesome, good luck!!! I found these lizards to be quite trainable and very smart....
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