Hi peeps,
just got a new year and a half old beardie and he hates living on paper towels. I've tried calcium sand with my other Beardies but it's so dusty and fine it gets under the scales and dyes them red/pink until the shed. I got some walnut shell sand and is not as fine and has no dyes but I'm wondering if anyone has had problems with it.
thx,
MyAngelLokki
walnut shells are terrible, they have very sharp edges and if the dragon east any it can cut up their insides. It also causes impactions. There really isn't really any safe loose substrate, play sand is about the best and even then only for adult dragons.
You still have to deal with dust but its the least likely to cause impaction. Have you looked into slate tile? You can have it cut to fit you cage bottom, it looks nice and is easy to clean. If you get the rougher kind, the dragon won't slip on it and it can even help keep her nails filed down.