ZooMed Excavator Clay Burrowing Substrate. Is it safe?

[jujustick]

I've recently come into two beardies, both male and a few years old and quite happy with their new home. I've currently got them on a 50/50 sphagnum/topsoil (organic and perlite free) mix. While browsing around the nearest pet store for some enclosure ideas, I came across a bag of Excavator burrowing substrate, and the label says it's ideal for a number of lizards, including beardies.

I've yet to come across a strong opinion on it. Has anyone used this for their little guys? I'm concerned about impaction issues, as my little dudes were kept on calci-sand for their lives before they came to my care. Any input at all would be appreciated! I'm going to be building them a much bigger enclosure than their current one and am considering new substrate. Thanks!

 

[Claudiusx]

Well my strong opinion on Any and All loose substrates (including ZooMeds excavator) is that you can not come up with enough positives to outweigh the negatives off a loose substrate.

All loose substrate posses an impaction risk
Sand, and other loose particles are known to kick up dust which can get in your beardies eye, in his lungs, and cause respitory problems.
Loose substrates are a breeding ground for bacteria. No matter how well you think you got all the poop out there will always be some left which multiplys bacteria rapidly which can cause your beardie to get sick.
Really in the wild, beardies don't even live on sand, they prefer to stay on the hard compact clay and rock, only venturing in the sand for hunting, mating, and egg laying.

If you are trying to make their habitat as natural as possible than there still is no reason to use a loose substrate. A lot of people use tile which is great. If your beardie goes poo on it you can just wipe it up, disinfect it and its good to go. Plus the tile will wear down the nails which is another plus.

Some people go half tile half washed playsand (if you are going to use any loose substrate, washed playsand would be best) but in my opinion, it isn't worth the risk. Sure, people have had their beardies living on sand with no problems, but alot have had problems, and it just isn't worth the risk to me.

Substrate topics like this are really touchy because some people swear by sand. It's just up to you really. If you are dead set on sand, don't use the excavator clay burrowing stuff, washed playsand is the lesser of the evils and is actually pretty cheap if you can get some at a home depot, lowes etc.
good luck with what you choose and with your new dragons

-Brandon

 

[jujustick]

Thank you! I've read some into it about how you can mold the stuff like concrete basically, but its more like sandstone/clay. Either way, I don't want anything that can build up stones in my little guys' bowels.

As for tile, it won't get too hot under the basking light so that their bellies burn? I suppose it would be just like a basking rock for a floor, eh?