What is the Right Substrate to Use for a Bearded Dragon
by Florian Ross
The substrate (sometimes called flooring) is the material used to line your dragon's housing. In their native environment, Beardies live in sandy desert areas. Playground sand is often used because it is relatively dust free and easy to maintain, although there have been reports of intestinal impaction. Substrates can also include wheat bran (pest free and rated for human consumption), outdoor carpeting, non-stick padded shelf liner, and paper towels. Other good substrates are newspaper, pea rock or aquarium gravel.
Be careful if you use any type of loose substrate when decorating, as many dragons will try to dig under their cage furnishings and can become trapped or crushed if furnishings are not well placed. Good substrate should be clean and safe. Be careful of substrates that could cause harm to your dragon.
Materials to Avoid:
The following are bad for one main reason - impaction. A lot of stores may try and tell you that they are suitable, they may even be using them themselves, but they are wrong.
Each of the following has been proven to cause impaction and death to Bearded Dragons (as well as other reptiles) and should be avoided:
Corn Cob: Hard, large and indigestible for Beardies.
Walnut Shell: It looks harmless enough, but the edges are very sharp and it could kill your dragon very easily. There have been documented impaction deaths in Bearded Dragons from this. Also goes under a variety of brand names, so check package labeling careful before listening to and buying from pet stores.
Calcisand: The problem with this product is twofold. First, they like the flavor of it and may eat it if they are lacking adequate calcium in their diet. Second, it can clump and form an indigestible bolus in their digestive tract.
Repti Bark: very fibrous and could easily end up causing impaction and has been known to end up lodged in the vent.
Original lizard litter (made from the kenfa tree) and Jungle Blend.
Substrates such as mulch, shredded tree bark, or corn cob should not be used as they can hold moisture and promote bacterial growth.
Any of the wood shaving like cedar or pine should also be avoided - cedar had dangerous aromatic oils and pine can get impacted if ingested.
You should be also be very cautious using bleach on Dragon's enclosure, the heat from their lights can cause toxic fumes from the bleach.
Substrates to Use:
There are several good substrates. The use of one or another depends on several factors - like the age of the dragon(s), their numbers and others.
One very important tip: It is extremely important to make sure you never use sand in your beardy' s cage until they are bigger then 6 inches in length - not including the tail.
All the best for you and your dragon(s),
Florian Ross
About the Author
Florian Ross developed comprehensive guides to help people succeed with their bearded dragon pet. Find out more tips about raising a Bearded Dragon and how to have your bearded dragon lizard live two times longer with his popular free ecourse.
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