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Substrates (Bedding)
One of the most over looked aspects of reptile husbandry is choosing the appropriate substrate ( bedding) for your reptile. There are many choices on the market by choosing the correct one isn’t always the easiest choice. Listed below is some guidelines and information that should assist you in your decision.
Common types of substrates
Wood shaved beddings
Wood based beddings include Cedar, Pine, and Aspen. They are readily available and fairly inexpensive. The problem though is that many of them have a high dust and oil content. Of the three listed only one is considered suitable for reptile and that is Aspen. Aspen bedding has a very minimal oil and dust content. The down side of Aspen is that it hold moisture very poorly thus making it unsuitable for species require higher levels of humidity. Also aspen is probably the most commonly used substrate for snakes second only to newspaper.
Recommended for:
* All species of snakes except the few species that require a very high percentage of humidity.
* Large species of lizards such as monitor
* Large tortoises
Not recommended for:
* Amphibians
* Small lizards
* Small tortoises
* Turtles
Bark beddings
Bark beddings have been around for years. The advantage of bark bedding is that it is fairly decorative, commonly found, and hold humidity pretty well. The disadvantage is that bark for reptiles can be fairly expensive and is not recommended for smaller specimens due to the risk of impaction. One should also try to avoid purchasing bark intended for agricultural purposes.
Recommended for:
* Snakes that require higher levels of humidity
* Amphibians
* Sub-tropical and tropical species
Not recommended for:
* dessert species
* small reptiles
Sands
Sand based substrates are another readily available reptile substrates. The advantage of sand is that its very cost effective, comes in a variety of blends, and colors, its great for borrowing species, and cleans up fairly easily. The disadvantages of sand is that it can become heavy quick, can be messy, and in smaller specimens has a high risk of impaction. When purchasing sand try to purchase the finest granulation possible. The more course sands are harder to pass when digested. Also try to purchase sands from a pet shop. The sand sold at home improvement stores can be toxic (due to manufactures adding chemical to the product). If you must purchase from your local home improvement store be sure check the bag and purchase only basic play sand.
Another sand product sold in pet stores is Calci- Sand (Calcium based sands). This product is suppose to be digestible and if ingested beneficial. But since the product first came out I have seen at least two dozen cases of animals coming in for substrate impactions housed on it. The problem is that the product is large grained Calcium carbonate. The same type of calcium used in 95% of the calcium products sold for reptile calcium supplementation. But since it is a carbon based item and if ingested in high volumes the grains can fuse together and make a fairly large foreign body in the stomach or gastro intestinal track (see picture below)
A 12 wk old baby bearded dragon that was housed on Calci Sand. The bearded was presented for decrease appetite, weight and for lethargy. The picture below is the actual x ray. Owner elected for euthanasia. Upon necropsy we removed a 1/2 millimeter blue colored sand rock.
Recommended for:
* larger species of lizards and tortoises.
* Burrowing desert species of snakes
* nesting substrate
Not recommended for:
* small specimens ( Due to the risk of impaction)
* species that require moderate to high levels of humidity
* amphibians
Recycled paper based substrates
Recycled paper product such as Care fresh can be used for a number of species. It is most commonly used for snakes and lizards. The advantage of using it is that if ingested it is easily passed, has no toxins, and it is very absorbent. The disadvantage is that it can be fairly expensive for the volume, holds humidity poorly, and can occasionally harbor external parasites such as mites and ticks.
Reptile carpet Reptile carpet is another good choice for most reptiles. It is inexpensive, last a long time, cleans up easily, and has almost no risk of being ingested. The disadvantage to carpet is not very appealing, doesn’t allow reptiles to root around, and if not keep cleaned can easily become a bacteria bed.
Conclusion
I have listed some of the most common substrate redly available. The key to making a good decision is to evaluate the species at hand for example. A baby Sulcata tortoise requires a substrate that holds low levels of humidity with a low chance of impaction. So bedding such as sand and bark are out, but beddings such as newspaper and carpet would be good choices. The things to factor when choosing the right bedding are: Size of animal, humidity requirements, habits ( burrowing, rooting etc.) and of course ease of cleaning and visual appeal. Also just because a certain bedding isn’t suitable for the reptile when its young doesn’t mean that it wont be as an adult. An example is bearded dragons. I keep babies on carpet or newspaper till they are about 6-8 months of age. Once they are 6-8 months of age I placed them on sand for substrate. The best advice is that if you are not sure of the best substrate seek the recommendation of a professional. Also many professional recommendation may differ from those of mine. I know of at least 10 breeders who will keep baby lizards on sand. Personally I believe that if there is even a small risk of impaction that it is not worth it.
If you have any questions or comments feel free to email us at Staff@gaiaexotics.com
Common types of substrates
Wood shaved beddings
Wood based beddings include Cedar, Pine, and Aspen. They are readily available and fairly inexpensive. The problem though is that many of them have a high dust and oil content. Of the three listed only one is considered suitable for reptile and that is Aspen. Aspen bedding has a very minimal oil and dust content. The down side of Aspen is that it hold moisture very poorly thus making it unsuitable for species require higher levels of humidity. Also aspen is probably the most commonly used substrate for snakes second only to newspaper.
Recommended for:
* All species of snakes except the few species that require a very high percentage of humidity.
* Large species of lizards such as monitor
* Large tortoises
Not recommended for:
* Amphibians
* Small lizards
* Small tortoises
* Turtles
Bark beddings
Bark beddings have been around for years. The advantage of bark bedding is that it is fairly decorative, commonly found, and hold humidity pretty well. The disadvantage is that bark for reptiles can be fairly expensive and is not recommended for smaller specimens due to the risk of impaction. One should also try to avoid purchasing bark intended for agricultural purposes.
Recommended for:
* Snakes that require higher levels of humidity
* Amphibians
* Sub-tropical and tropical species
Not recommended for:
* dessert species
* small reptiles
Sands
Sand based substrates are another readily available reptile substrates. The advantage of sand is that its very cost effective, comes in a variety of blends, and colors, its great for borrowing species, and cleans up fairly easily. The disadvantages of sand is that it can become heavy quick, can be messy, and in smaller specimens has a high risk of impaction. When purchasing sand try to purchase the finest granulation possible. The more course sands are harder to pass when digested. Also try to purchase sands from a pet shop. The sand sold at home improvement stores can be toxic (due to manufactures adding chemical to the product). If you must purchase from your local home improvement store be sure check the bag and purchase only basic play sand.
Another sand product sold in pet stores is Calci- Sand (Calcium based sands). This product is suppose to be digestible and if ingested beneficial. But since the product first came out I have seen at least two dozen cases of animals coming in for substrate impactions housed on it. The problem is that the product is large grained Calcium carbonate. The same type of calcium used in 95% of the calcium products sold for reptile calcium supplementation. But since it is a carbon based item and if ingested in high volumes the grains can fuse together and make a fairly large foreign body in the stomach or gastro intestinal track (see picture below)
A 12 wk old baby bearded dragon that was housed on Calci Sand. The bearded was presented for decrease appetite, weight and for lethargy. The picture below is the actual x ray. Owner elected for euthanasia. Upon necropsy we removed a 1/2 millimeter blue colored sand rock.
Recommended for:
* larger species of lizards and tortoises.
* Burrowing desert species of snakes
* nesting substrate
Not recommended for:
* small specimens ( Due to the risk of impaction)
* species that require moderate to high levels of humidity
* amphibians
Recycled paper based substrates
Recycled paper product such as Care fresh can be used for a number of species. It is most commonly used for snakes and lizards. The advantage of using it is that if ingested it is easily passed, has no toxins, and it is very absorbent. The disadvantage is that it can be fairly expensive for the volume, holds humidity poorly, and can occasionally harbor external parasites such as mites and ticks.
Reptile carpet Reptile carpet is another good choice for most reptiles. It is inexpensive, last a long time, cleans up easily, and has almost no risk of being ingested. The disadvantage to carpet is not very appealing, doesn’t allow reptiles to root around, and if not keep cleaned can easily become a bacteria bed.
Conclusion
I have listed some of the most common substrate redly available. The key to making a good decision is to evaluate the species at hand for example. A baby Sulcata tortoise requires a substrate that holds low levels of humidity with a low chance of impaction. So bedding such as sand and bark are out, but beddings such as newspaper and carpet would be good choices. The things to factor when choosing the right bedding are: Size of animal, humidity requirements, habits ( burrowing, rooting etc.) and of course ease of cleaning and visual appeal. Also just because a certain bedding isn’t suitable for the reptile when its young doesn’t mean that it wont be as an adult. An example is bearded dragons. I keep babies on carpet or newspaper till they are about 6-8 months of age. Once they are 6-8 months of age I placed them on sand for substrate. The best advice is that if you are not sure of the best substrate seek the recommendation of a professional. Also many professional recommendation may differ from those of mine. I know of at least 10 breeders who will keep baby lizards on sand. Personally I believe that if there is even a small risk of impaction that it is not worth it.
If you have any questions or comments feel free to email us at Staff@gaiaexotics.com
