i have a new sav . in his tank he has wood shavings but I seek a more natural substrate.
could I use sand or clay for substate or will it cause blockages if eaten ???????????? (he is only 1 foot long)



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sand will cause blockage, and even if it doesn't right away, it could build up over time and kill him. clay might be a little better, but one of the other guys will have to tel you if it is or not, i don't know

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Loose sand could be an issue, I believe some members have had good results mixing sand and clay, but I can't help you so much, I don't have a Sav and I only use solid substrates like tile, slate, and carpet.

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You're going to need a big enclosure for when he's an adult. I'd start planning for that now. I suggest looking into landscaping businesses for a crushed granite product. Usually sold as a screening product.

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Mike
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With sand alone your just asking for trouble, pure clay would end up being a very hard substrate that you would have alot of problems getting out if needed and wouldn't provide the animal with the possiblity to create a burrow. I would recomend mixing in clay at 1/4 to 1/3 per weight (ie. 25 pounds sand 5 pounds clay). This would give you a fairly hard surface while allowing the monitor to create a burrow if it wants. The substrate mix needs to be wetted and let dry before it creates a hard surface. After it's hardened it's good to sweep the surface to remove loss particals. As the reptile digs you'll have to re wet the substrate or sweep to keep the loss particals to a low. I sweep out the feces and loss particals about once to twice a week as needed. There's been some other thread's where I go in to more detail if you do a search you'll find them. Hope this helps.

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For my daughters sav we use newspaper or puppy peepee pads, or reptile carpet, depending on the mood. For a hide spot, until he was a little bigger and wouldn't fit anymore, we used paper towel rolls. They also appreciate climbing stuff, and some greenery (fake or otherwise). The one at my daughters college who is kept by a vet is on newspaper with a big soak bowl (don't forget a big soak bowl, they like to potty while soaking) and has a small log hide, and a big pink fuzzy blanket that he loves to wrap up inside. Hope this helps a little, there is a lot you can do depending on how natural or how easy or whatever you want.

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Kat

You can go the "Natural Route" and create a clay, sand, crushed rock mixture for burrowing.
To me, I use cage carpet and a "Man Made" burrow, An upside down clay flowerpot with a hole in the side for him to crawl through and a big plastic water bowl.
As long as they have the food that they need for physical health, and the hiding places and security for mental health, and any suplements they need. I can throw my "cage carpet" in the washing machine.
You need a big water bowl because they "Evacuate themselves in water"

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I use a clay type substrate for my Schneiders Skink, I have not had any problems with it, but you do have to be careful with it. It looks great though, and gives him a few spots to climb through, not to mention a great basking spot. I've heard a hard packed dirt work's too, careful though anything with fertilizers or anything like that, VERY BAD. though i'm sure I dont need to tell you that one. Id ask around HHCN to see if anyone's had luck with the dirt.

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