Is Sand Safe for Pet Reptiles?
October 11th 2010 18:49
This is probably one of the biggest controversies with leopard geckos, bearded dragons, and a few other popular reptiles, is sand....
Sand is probably the most commonly purchased substrate for pet reptiles. The pet store employees always recommend it, and most buyers have no clue what's going on except for what the reptile specialist tells them.
Well, here's the deal...
Calcium based sand is horrible. You may find it labeled as Calci-sand or vita-sand or some other variant. NEVER USE IT! It doesn't digest, and it doesn't break down in water. The stuff takes days to break down in stomach acid, which is enough time to start the buildup of a major impaction. I don't care what the pet store employee says, don't use calcium based sand. It will entice your reptile into eating it, and it will become impacted.
Otherwise, when it comes to other fine-grain sand, the jury is still out. Personally, I suggest better safe than sorry. If you don't want to worry about the potential impaction, don't use any form of sand. If you want to risk it, use a super fine- grain sand.
If you opt to use sand, you want to make sure that your temperature is 100% spot-on accurate. You want to make sure that your humidity is accurate, and your overall husbandry is perfect.
If your husbandry isn't right, then you will have problems with your reptile living healthily on sand. If your temperatures are too low, your reptile won't be able to digest his food properly, much less the sand.
It is your decision, but just make sure that you know the risks are potentially fatal.
Sand is probably the most commonly purchased substrate for pet reptiles. The pet store employees always recommend it, and most buyers have no clue what's going on except for what the reptile specialist tells them.
Well, here's the deal...
Otherwise, when it comes to other fine-grain sand, the jury is still out. Personally, I suggest better safe than sorry. If you don't want to worry about the potential impaction, don't use any form of sand. If you want to risk it, use a super fine- grain sand.
If you opt to use sand, you want to make sure that your temperature is 100% spot-on accurate. You want to make sure that your humidity is accurate, and your overall husbandry is perfect.
If your husbandry isn't right, then you will have problems with your reptile living healthily on sand. If your temperatures are too low, your reptile won't be able to digest his food properly, much less the sand.
It is your decision, but just make sure that you know the risks are potentially fatal.
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Comment by Spring-Heeled Jack
Over.Exposure