Jacobsherps
Hatchling Member
i have used rep carpet my whole life for my leopard gecko and my bearded dragons. i recently learned that there are a number of problems with rep carp that makes me feel bad about keeping my dragons on it. let me get into the main problems.
it stinks!!! the stuff gets so smelly after using it.
Bactria. rep carpet is a host for all kinds of bacteria and fungas. it breeds and can cause respiratory infection if it gets into the air.
so unnatural. this is probably the most obvious because its literally carpet. there is many better options that look tons better for your dragon.
provides ZERO enrichment. bearded dragons naturally like to dig and burrow. in captivity they arent able to do that when kept on a piece of fabric. i dont own any females but they would probably like to have a place to make nests and ovulate.
toes, ouch. bearded dragons obviously have long nails and those can get caught in loose threads if there nails are two long.
feeders. feeder insects are able to get under the carpet. with that said the beardies cant get to them and they can hurt the dragon at night while he/she sleeps.
does tile work?
in my opinion the short answer is no. like carpet it can host bacteria and cause an RI like that.
it also has barely any traction. if your tile is too smooth they will just slide around like the DVD screensaver. tile is great for young beardies because there easier to clean up after. also baby beardies have storm trooper aim when hunting.
if you ask me whats better, tile or carpet, il tell you tile, but if you ask me if tiles the best id say no.
what should i use.
i think the #1 best substrate for bearded dragons is a loose mix of topsoil and and play sand. this make a sandy soil that is very natural to the Australian bush, forests and other places where they come from
what about impaction.
think about this. if all the bearded dragons in Australia got impaction, there would be no bearded dragons in Australia. if all the leopard geckos in Afghanistan got impaction there wouldnt be any leopard geckos in Afghanistan. now you see, if an animal gets a proper diet humidity and heating, like a wild herp, they will be able to pass it with no problem.if you dont have proper husbandry your animal will undoubtedly get impaction. only move to substrate if you are confident in your animals husbantry.
it stinks!!! the stuff gets so smelly after using it.
Bactria. rep carpet is a host for all kinds of bacteria and fungas. it breeds and can cause respiratory infection if it gets into the air.
so unnatural. this is probably the most obvious because its literally carpet. there is many better options that look tons better for your dragon.
provides ZERO enrichment. bearded dragons naturally like to dig and burrow. in captivity they arent able to do that when kept on a piece of fabric. i dont own any females but they would probably like to have a place to make nests and ovulate.
toes, ouch. bearded dragons obviously have long nails and those can get caught in loose threads if there nails are two long.
feeders. feeder insects are able to get under the carpet. with that said the beardies cant get to them and they can hurt the dragon at night while he/she sleeps.
does tile work?
in my opinion the short answer is no. like carpet it can host bacteria and cause an RI like that.
it also has barely any traction. if your tile is too smooth they will just slide around like the DVD screensaver. tile is great for young beardies because there easier to clean up after. also baby beardies have storm trooper aim when hunting.
if you ask me whats better, tile or carpet, il tell you tile, but if you ask me if tiles the best id say no.
what should i use.
i think the #1 best substrate for bearded dragons is a loose mix of topsoil and and play sand. this make a sandy soil that is very natural to the Australian bush, forests and other places where they come from
what about impaction.
think about this. if all the bearded dragons in Australia got impaction, there would be no bearded dragons in Australia. if all the leopard geckos in Afghanistan got impaction there wouldnt be any leopard geckos in Afghanistan. now you see, if an animal gets a proper diet humidity and heating, like a wild herp, they will be able to pass it with no problem.if you dont have proper husbandry your animal will undoubtedly get impaction. only move to substrate if you are confident in your animals husbantry.