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#171694
FutureCROChunter
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Best substrate? 
What(and everyone has their own opinion of course) is the best substrate? I have read that bird seed is the best, what kind? What are some others?Thanks!
Steven
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10/28/04 7:56pm
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#171704
Rcb
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Message To: FutureCROChunter In reference to Message Id: 171694
Best substrate?
I use filch birdseed.
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10/28/04 8:09pm
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#171725
Mr.mike
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Message To: Rcb In reference to Message Id: 171704
Best substrate?
i use reptile carpet just to be carful
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10/28/04 8:55pm
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#174455
Leokeeper
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Message To: Mr.mike In reference to Message Id: 171725
Best substrate?
I don’t own a uro but I know that paper towels or reptile carpet is the best bedding as they can’t eat it by acctident and get inpackted... and yes even vegaterinen lizards can swollow bedding by acctident.
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11/03/04 12:15pm
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#174474
Mr.mike
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Message To: Leokeeper In reference to Message Id: 174455
Best substrate?
uros drag their food around the cage and as they gather it it collects substrate
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11/03/04 1:33pm
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#174564
Reptileking14
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Message To: Mr.mike In reference to Message Id: 174474
Best substrate?
I use sand for many reasons, for one it can pass through their systen i think and it helps grind up their food if they accidentily eat it. 
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11/03/04 5:28pm
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#174568
JOANAVOKES
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Message To: Reptileking14 In reference to Message Id: 174564
Best substrate?
Not wanting to be rude, but sand causes impactions and does not grind up food. It is one of the worst substrates out on the market. If you have any question about what a sand impaction looks like go to my profile and look in my pictures for the 2 surgical sand impaction pictures. I think you will change your views on sand and how beneficial it really is. Joan A. 
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11/03/04 5:34pm
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#174585
MistaMasta
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Message To: JOANAVOKES In reference to Message Id: 174568
Best substrate?
Someone who knows much more about Uro’s then myself told me that Uro’s could pass anything that they could eat if their husbandry is right. I think you should find as much to read about substrates as possible so you’re making an educated decision and the figure out what works best for yourself and your pet.
J-G
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11/03/04 6:02pm
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#174676
Uro_fan
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Message To: MistaMasta In reference to Message Id: 174585
Best substrate?
MM, Sounds as if you are listening to Robyn a little too much. Lol Think about the logic behind this statement. Do you really think a 9-inch uromastyx could pass a 3/4 inch piece of bark that lodges sideways as it travels through the GI track just because it had adequate temperature, diet, and moisture? I agree that proper husbandry is very helpful with keeping a uromastyx healthy but I do not think for one second that it will help to pass anything. I do not believe that proper husbandry should ever be an excuse for inadequate or poor substrate choices. Please do not take this comment as an endorsement for or against sand. If anything, take it as a comment against Robyn’s words of wisdom (or lack of).
(I think his actual quote included the statement that uromastyx could pass a doorknob with the correct husbandry.) I know what Robyn’s point was when making this statement and I tend to agree with him when it comes to proper husbandry aiding in digestion and other health related functions. I do think that the chance of impaction is lessened (but not guaranteed) when kept in optimal conditions. Unfortunately, he (Robyn) tends to sometimes take extreme stances and some people do not fully understand the concept behind his points and can end up taking things literally. I do agree with your statement that we should all do as much research on substrates (and all issues) as we can.
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11/03/04 7:55pm
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#175637
Reptileking14
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Message To: Uro_fan In reference to Message Id: 174676
Best substrate?
Is it ok to use the repi sand that has the calcium in it, with play sand or does that cuse impactions also? right now i have a top layer of repti sand and then the play sand under it.I am really worried becaues i am using sand right now and dont have enought money to emediatly go out and buy a different substate. 
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11/05/04 8:31am
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#175640
Bugwoman
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Message To: Reptileking14 In reference to Message Id: 175637
Best substrate?
I have heard that calci-sand is not a good substrate. It forms hard clumps very easily when wet, and that can lead to impaction. I have mixed feelings about the play sand. I had my Uro on it for a while, but switched to millet because I didn’t like the risks that came with the play sand. That said, there are people on this forum who have had great luck with play sand. It is important to make sure it is washed play sand and that the grains have rounded edges (like beach sand). The stuff that is produced from crushed quartz has very jagged edges that can lock together and/or abrade the intestine if ingested.
If you decide you want to take your Uro off the sand, but can’t run out and get a new substrate right away, newspaper or paper towel do well in a pinch. It doesn’t look pretty, but it’s relatively safe.
Julie
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11/05/04 8:59am
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#175647
Pogos grandma
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Message To: Reptileking14 In reference to Message Id: 175637
Best substrate?
A bag of millet is quite inexpensive and you only need 1/4 to 1/2 inch of it. But Julie is right, in a pinch, use shredded paper towel or brown paper for now.
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11/05/04 9:35am
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#175854
JOANAVOKES
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Message To: MistaMasta In reference to Message Id: 174585
Best substrate?
The comments I made were nothing to do with the husbandry, but rather addressing the fact that unlike birds who use a sand or grit to digest food a Uromastyx is different. The person who had posted above me made the statement that the reason they kept their Uro. on sand is because, if ingested it it would help with the digestion of food. I am a firm believer that good husbandry definitely helps to insure a longer time spent with any animal. As you said, I personally have done my research on substrates and feel what is best for my animals is to use something a little more digestible than sand(especially cali-sand)or(repti-sand). I have heard quite a few success stories on sifted playground sand, but I am still hesitant to use that for my animals. I just wanted to clarify my position. I have seen some nasty impactions caused by sand so if I am shy about using sand, the explanation is understood. Joan A.
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11/05/04 6:59pm
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#195654
Tmac
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Message To: FutureCROChunter In reference to Message Id: 171694
 Best substrate?
I use a soft type of astroturf.It’s not as good looking but it’s easy to clean.U can buy it at Home Depot.This was recommended by my vet.
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12/07/04 9:30pm
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