Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So I've read about people using about a million different things. What does everyone here with a uro use as substrate? People have a lot to say about substrates in general, from sand to particle. zilla makes good crushed walnut shell bedding. Yes, despite the commentary I use walnut shells because it keeps the atmosphere warm. Though I'm happy with this type of bedding that I've had for some time now, I might want to experiment around. What do you suggest? I've already tried sand, but its too dusty for me. Just looking for suggestions.

just dont use the clay burrowing substrate it gets dusty and actually coats your lizards in a layer of dust that partially blocks uv absorption. its nice looking but imho not sutible for uro's
adam jeffery
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" a.k.a. farfrumugen "
When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car.

Walnut shells are VERY DANGEROUS !!!! They have sharp edges that can cut the inside of your Uro's tummy, it also is harder to clean and can grow bacteria that can infect your Uro.

IMHO .... Pool Filter sand is the best, it holds heat Excellently, there is NO dust or rocks and it is very easy to clean. I have been using it for over a year now for my Uro's and now I'm using it for my Beardies and it has had no adverse side-effects on any of my 5 reptiles.

I use newspapers for the yearling I keep in 150 gallon breeder tank. It's super easy to clean and cheap. The down side is it's not aesthetically pleasing. In the other tank, where I have the baby, I use aspen bedding for small animal. He/she seems to like it though, burrowing in it and hiding under there all the time. I use the same thing for my blue tongue skink, which loves to burrow underneath. Do not use pine or cedar shaving, which gives off aromatic scent that can be harmful to your reptiles and small animals if expose to it for a length of time.

Pool filter sand? Never heard of that, honestly. As for walnut shells, its all a matter of opinion. ANY substrate can be harmful if you use it wrong and for the wrong reptile. I had my uro on zillas ground walnut shells for about a year before I started using alfalfa pellets. I never had any problems. It was warming and easy to clean for me. I don't pass judgement. It's like if I say that pool filter sand causes impaction. I don't. So I won't comment on it.

>>Pool filter sand? Never heard of that, honestly. As for walnut shells, its all a matter of opinion.

Actually it's not a matter of opinion, it's a matter of fact. You're absolutely correct in that all particulate substrates can cause impaction (or other troubles), and some are definitely worse than others. But dead animals aren't an opinion, they're a fact. I'm very glad you didn't have problems with your animal, but a lot of people have. Walnut shells are a poor choice among several better choices.
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Torey
Eugene, Oregon, USA
1.1 Saharan Uros (Joe and Arthur)
3.0 Mali Uros (Spike, Turtle, and Tank)
1.1 Ornate Uros (Scuttlebutt and Shazzbot)
1.1 Collared Lizard (Ripcord and Rorschach)
2.0 Green Anoles (Bowser and Sprocket)
1.1 Chubby Housecats (Roscolux and Jenny)

Ahhh, thats exactly what I don't want: dust. Thanks for the tip. Is it hard to burrow with it?

Orkid, I use rabbit food pellets in my uro and bearded dragon cage. Not dusty, the lizards can burrow in it a bit under their hiding areas, and I am not worried if it gets ingested due to the alfalfa grass based nature of the pellets. The pellets hold up well since I don't have water in the uro cage, and a very small water bowl in the dragon cage. Water or dampness makes the pellets soft and they mold quickly. The fact I can get a 50 pound bag of rabbit food from a local feed supply store for about 8 bucks helps out too!!! It looks pretty nice as well.

I actually like the zoo med burrowing substrate, I don't find that it is too dusty. I do mist the cage every week or so to keep the humidity up some, so this may also keep the dust down some. The water drains to the bottom most part and the surface dries out very quickly, so there is never really standing water in the cage. Contrary to popular opinion, uromastyx do need some humidity. Improper shedding will also lead to serious skin problems. It is very hard for me to get any humidity in open top aquariums with the high temps necessary to properly maintain desert species. Adding water to a closed cage (vision type cage) might raise the humidity too high.
I mix about 1/2 filter sand and 1/2 of the substrate for the top 1/4 inch or so and add a lot of large/medium size rocks to the mix. You can vacuum out the feces with a hand held vacuum cleaner. Sand or sand mix on top makes it a little easier to clean.
I have also used sand and large "chunky" aquarium gravel along with large pieces af slate and tile. Sand is easy to clean, and if you use the vacuum method so is the rock. My problem is that they don't hold any humidity well and my uro was having some shedding issues. I think a more solid substrate is better they don't seem to walk "normal" on loose substrate like sand or bird seed.

I wonder what the difference is between these rabbit alfalfa pellets you use and the ones I have for my uro. I have used a few different things but currently I use zilla's alfalfa meal. Which is essentially the same. I've never been comfortable buying more generic things since I fear they might be composed of different nutrients which might be harmful to a reptile. I'll stick with these.