I use sand only with my Uromastyx and my dune gecko, the gecko digs constantly and seems to like the sand. The Uros also dig and like the sand but im trying to move them onto a soil mix, i just havnt been to successful with that yet. the front opening cage is to shallow and the dirt drys, and the other Uro eat the dirt so I had to take it away from him. my bearded dragons and my leo are all kept on shelf liner. My Bearded Dragons are such messy eaters I wouldnt feel comfortable keeping them on sand.

i have no knolage of the dangers of sand what is impaction?and my buddy has some gekos in sand is this bad?

Impaction is when the GI tract becomes blocked or useless due to a build up of impassable material, ie sand. IMO I whole heartedly agree with zane (krokidilianguy) that natural substrates that are relative to an animal are safe if used properly and responsibly. If your buddys gecko is from a sandy area than it is fine as long as the gecko doesn't eat the sand by the mouthfuls either by attempting to eat insects or tasting the sand it should be ok.

I use coco husk/peat on my enclosures. There is potting soil that makes up the underlying layer but it contains perlite, and after deep consideration I am going to remove the soil due to the perlite. However IMO the cocohusk is safe, even when it accidently gets ingested.

There was a picture on **********'s forum that shows a vial of sand scraped from a beardy's stomach. I dont have the picture but I will try to get it.

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Julie & Brad

I too remember seeing necropsy photos of sand impaction in the intestines. I just wish I could remember where I saw them.
Yeah I know thats a lot of help!

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

Rich-

How about posting the link to "the study". I've lost mine.

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Regards,
Dominick
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"Do you watch too much television? Did you do so as a toddler? Evidence tonight that it could be the cause of learning disorders, like attention deficit and hyperact-Ooooh, a kitty!" - Keith Olbermann

Alright here are the pictures that have been mentioned. I cant not say for sure this first one is legitimate but supposedly the sand in the vile was removed from the Bearded Dragon in the picture.



The next two pictures are off a impartation being surgically removed. Sorry the picture quality is anything but good





There is so much controversy over the use of sand I just choose to avoid it . I dont think any substrate is perfect but I believe there are safer choices than sand. I

Thanks DAD!! I messaged Doug for help with picture but looks like you found it! Well I will say the first picture is a little misleading because I do remember that all of that in the vile is not sand but the majority of it is. I dont remember what Joanavokes said the other was. THanks again for posting the pics, but now you know guys, here is your proof!!!!

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Julie & Brad

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Zane Neher.

The great and strong man is one who bears within his character many contradictions.
Crocodilian care.

If the sand in the 1st pic is the same sand that was ingested in the second two I can clearly see the dangers. The granular size is large and rounded making a very loose substrate which can be dangerous no matter what its composed of.

IMO our herps are from nature and are best maintained in a natural environment, some herps won't reproduce without a replicated 'natural' environment. In nature Bearded Dragons aren't found on BB sized sand.