xtattooedgirlx":kila2hdx said:
So what kind of things are ok to put in its tank.... do you have a picture of your set up you could post? I didnt realize something like a fuzzy blanket would be ok. Like I said this is all still really new to me
Your beardie is very cute
You can try things like shelf liner, tiles, newspaper, blankets, paper towel as a substrate. Any loose substrate like sand, wood chips or rocks can be swallowed and can cause impaction. Even if you only see a few grains, those grains may not be passed and remain undigested in their stomachs, and therein lies the issue because the grains build up into a clump.
Bearded dragons live in scrub-like locations in Australia, but they do venture out onto sand as well. That said, the standard lifespan of a wild bearded dragon is only 2-5 years. A captive bearded dragon can live up to 10 years. If you keep them exactly like they're in the wild, they'll have a much shorter life.
Of course, there are people who have housed on sand for years and had no issues. It all comes down to chance, and whether you want to take the chance. Personal choice, really