Walnut shell substrate

[KittyLovesDragons]

Hi guys! I haven't been on here for a while, but I just want to say that Bodhi is doing well! She still is a lazy beardie, but when she gets out of the terrarium, she more active than ever! I recently got her a new substrate and just wanted to hear your thoughts. We bought a walnut shell substrate, and so far, it's been working great. She likes to lie in it and hasn't been doing anything really different. Anything that I should be cautious about?

 

[VenusAndSaturn]

Probably should remove it, its up there with calci-sand as it has the tendency to cut into the animals eyes, feet, insides ect.

Just stick with tile/other non particle substrate. It's best that you don't risk impaction, prolapses, bacterial infections, death, joint issues, fungal infections, stained scales, eye infections and much more.

Personally I don't see why you would risk your animals life when theres so many cons and barely any pros other than,
Looks nice.
Digging substrate.

 

[QuinnF]

It’s the ultimate beardie debate isn’t it? Well I have been using walnut shells for over a year with my grown beardie with no issues whatsoever and the guy I got him from (who has been breading beardies for years) recommended walnut shells. As long as the beardie in question is an adult it should be fine.

 

[Gormagon]

i will never advise anyone that it is OK to use something that has the potential to be the demise of their dragon. It "CAN HAPPEN" is good enough for me not to condone it's use. We have to think of what could happen when we post things on here.
It might work for some "I said Might" but that doesn't mean it is healthy. Dust and, it's abrasive nature put it on the bad list.

 

[QuinnF]

I forgot could add just make sure to feed them their insects and veggies but in a way that prevents them from eating a lot of sand. i.e. feed with tongs, in a bowl, or outside of the tank

 

[Taterbug]

I am not opposed to loose substrate and use a soil mix myself, but products like walnut shells concern me. In addition to the dust and typical problems with loose substrates, I worry about the manufacturing of it. I can’t find much information about the toxic effect of English Walnut, but it does contain the same chemical that makes Black Walnut toxic... just in a lesser amount. I don’t trust pet stores enough to sell a safe product like this considering some of the other junk they sell.

 

[kingofnobbys]

Hi guys! I haven't been on here for a while, but I just want to say that Bodhi is doing well! She still is a lazy beardie, but when she gets out of the terrarium, she more active than ever! I recently got her a new substrate and just wanted to hear your thoughts. We bought a walnut shell substrate, and so far, it's been working great. She likes to lie in it and hasn't been doing anything really different. Anything that I should be cautious about?

Only good place for walnut shell husks is in the rubbish bin .... highly risky substrate for a dragon to be on.

If you MUST HAVE a loose particulate substrate , and this is not something I recommend to anyone for their dragons , then dried screened playsand is claimed by some keepers and breeders here in Australia to be "safe", personally , I think they are deluding themselves and may be ignoring dragon fatalities and illnesses that are very likely directly attributeable to their choice of substrate.

 

[Drache613]

Moved by Moderator from General to Enclosures

 

[diamc]

The problem with crushed walnut shells is that they are sharp like pieces of glass. When ingested, they can cut their insides when they try to pass them.

Another huge risk with using any loose substrate is that since it's impossible to clean up all the liquid waste, it causes bacteria to grow which is deadly for bearded dragons.

 

[PodunkKhaleesi]

Walnut shell substrate is considered one of the more dangerous loose substrates. For every questionable substrate there’s always someone that says they’ve kept bearded dragons on it for years without issue, but to me that’s similar to the person that points out their grandma smoked three packs of cigarettes a day and lived to be 100. If the substrate has ever contributed to the number of dragons that have suffered from impaction, wouldn’t you feel better going with a substrate that’s never been known to cause this in any percentage of dragons? There are so many safe (and more hygienic) options: newspaper, paper towels, Repticarpet, tile. I’d consider switching.