West Coast Dragons
Vancouver Island Breeders
Substrates
The bearded dragon, in its natural Australian habitat is exposed to a wide variance in ground cover and soil conditions. Hard pack, loose soil, arid grass and woodlands, rock and of course sand are some of the natural conditions a bearded dragon may encounter daily. In our opinion, choosing a substrate similar to one of those found in the bearded dragons natural environment is one of the ways we can more closely replicate the dragons natural home. Although the use of a sand substrate is often a debated issue, we have never had any problems with its use, and in our experience it is easy to clean, change, is cost effective and is one of the very few ways that we can create a habitat similar to one of the bearded dragons natural environments.
The "Real" Substrate Warning
Choosing a suitable substrate for your bearded dragon is a simple process of weighing suitability and benefits against risks. There is a vast array of manufactured substrates "labeled" for bearded dragons and while some of them may be "useable" many can be potentially unhealthy or harmful for use with bearded dragons. Blindly following manufactures claims in regard to substrate without a basic knowledge of their potential effect on your dragon may have negative consequences.
Substrate Options
The five most commonly used "low" risk substrates are listed below with the basic pros and cons of their use and our observations and recommendations based on our experience with each:
Newsprint or Paper Towel
Inexpensive, disposable and easy to replace
Semi absorbent (reduces spread and transfer of waste)
Non-ingestible
Visually un appealing
Un- natural environment
Recommendation: Over all this is an excellent choice of substrate for hatchlings and young juveniles but may be used for dragons of any age.
Replace paper towel and newsprint daily or as often as necessary.
Removal and a thorough cleaning at least weekly.
Semi absorbent (reduces spread and transfer of waste)
Non-ingestible
Visually un appealing
Un- natural environment
Recommendation: Over all this is an excellent choice of substrate for hatchlings and young juveniles but may be used for dragons of any age.
Replace paper towel and newsprint daily or as often as necessary.
Removal and a thorough cleaning at least weekly.
Non-Adhesive Shelf Liner
Easy to clean and replace
Reasonably inexpensive
Non-ingestible
Non absorbent (allows easy spread and transfer of waste)
Visually un appealing
Un- natural environment
Recommendation: Due to the easy spread and transfer of wastes on this generally slick surface, without continual spot cleaning we do not find this to be a highly effective substrate.
Spot clean as often as necessary, frequent thorough cleaning necessary.
Reasonably inexpensive
Non-ingestible
Non absorbent (allows easy spread and transfer of waste)
Visually un appealing
Un- natural environment
Recommendation: Due to the easy spread and transfer of wastes on this generally slick surface, without continual spot cleaning we do not find this to be a highly effective substrate.
Spot clean as often as necessary, frequent thorough cleaning necessary.
Ceramic Tile
Durable, long lasting and reasonably inexpensive
Generally easy to clean depending on instillation (loose set or grouted and sealed)
Visually appealing
Non ingestible
Simulates aspects of natural environment
Non absorbent (allows easy spread and transfer of waste)
Recommendation: Un grouted or loose laid tiles will require more frequent and thorough cleaning as wastes will seep between tiles and may promote bacteria growth.
Over all a good option for dragons of any age.
Spot clean often. Thorough cleaning is suggested bi-weekly with sealed tiles or weekly with loose laid tiles.
Generally easy to clean depending on instillation (loose set or grouted and sealed)
Visually appealing
Non ingestible
Simulates aspects of natural environment
Non absorbent (allows easy spread and transfer of waste)
Recommendation: Un grouted or loose laid tiles will require more frequent and thorough cleaning as wastes will seep between tiles and may promote bacteria growth.
Over all a good option for dragons of any age.
Spot clean often. Thorough cleaning is suggested bi-weekly with sealed tiles or weekly with loose laid tiles.
Reptile Carpet
Generally easy to spot clean and remove for thorough cleaning
Semi absorbent (limits spread and transfer of waste)
Visually appealing
Somewhat expensive (carpets wear after repeated washings and curl and fray requiring frequent replacement) Unsecured carpet can hide live prey
Excessive wear may lead to "nail catching" and potential injury
Potentially ingestible with worn or frayed carpet
Recommendation: Secure edges to prevent live prey hiding spots, replace when worn or frayed to prevent ingestion or potential injury.
Overall a good option for dragons of any age.
Spot clean daily. Wash carpet weekly or as necessary.
Semi absorbent (limits spread and transfer of waste)
Visually appealing
Somewhat expensive (carpets wear after repeated washings and curl and fray requiring frequent replacement) Unsecured carpet can hide live prey
Excessive wear may lead to "nail catching" and potential injury
Potentially ingestible with worn or frayed carpet
Recommendation: Secure edges to prevent live prey hiding spots, replace when worn or frayed to prevent ingestion or potential injury.
Overall a good option for dragons of any age.
Spot clean daily. Wash carpet weekly or as necessary.
Child's Play Sand
Inexpensive and readily available
Easy to clean, refresh and replace
Very absorbent (minimizes the spread and transfer of waste
Simulates aspects of natural environment
Visually appealing
Ingestible
Can be dusty
Recommendation: If available, washed sand will cut down on dust.
Overall a very good option for juveniles and up (we choose not to use sand for our hatchlings ).
Scoop daily, refresh as necessary, replaced every 2-3 months after a thorough enclosure cleaning.
Easy to clean, refresh and replace
Very absorbent (minimizes the spread and transfer of waste
Simulates aspects of natural environment
Visually appealing
Ingestible
Can be dusty
Recommendation: If available, washed sand will cut down on dust.
Overall a very good option for juveniles and up (we choose not to use sand for our hatchlings ).
Scoop daily, refresh as necessary, replaced every 2-3 months after a thorough enclosure cleaning.
High Risk Substrates
We do not recommend the use of crushed walnuts, bark mulch, chips or wood products of any kind (with the exception of newsprint and paper towel), coconut fiber, cat litter, rabbit pellets or any similar substrates as they are known to pose a higher risk for impaction, harbor bacteria, cause possible internal injuries and can hide prey of the dragon.
"Calcium Sand" is available at most pet stores but we have chosen not to use it, in addition to its high cost, it poses no real benefit and adds potential risk. Dragons will purposefully ingest the calcium/sand due to either its taste or more likely, physiological need for the calcium it contains. With excessive ingestion there is the possibility of "clumping" in the dragon's digestive tract, which could lead to impaction.
"Calcium Sand" is available at most pet stores but we have chosen not to use it, in addition to its high cost, it poses no real benefit and adds potential risk. Dragons will purposefully ingest the calcium/sand due to either its taste or more likely, physiological need for the calcium it contains. With excessive ingestion there is the possibility of "clumping" in the dragon's digestive tract, which could lead to impaction.
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Rik & Rosana Smith - westcoastdragons@shaw.ca Phone: (250) 618-5408
All rights reserved. Copyright 2007 - 2011. West Coast Dragons ~ Vancouver Island Breeders
All rights reserved. Copyright 2007 - 2011. West Coast Dragons ~ Vancouver Island Breeders
One set of hatchling racks lined with paper towel and ready to house upcoming clutches.
Washed child's play sand
Can be purchased in most hardware stores
Can be purchased in most hardware stores
