Hi, i was wondering if i could use carefresh paper bedding for bearded dragons or the carefresh crinkle bedding. I dont want to use sand for health risks, this being my first dragon and all ive been reading a lot of information. A breeder in looking at said they use sand all the time and that its their natural habitat. But from what i know arent dragons used to clay and rocky areas as their wild habitats? I just want my first beardie to be happy and be able to dig but be safe. I'm saving for a 75 gallon set up with a 3D wall backdrop that has shelves build into it and everything.
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CareFresh Bedding
- Thread starter keykaye
- Start date
- Messages
- 5,574
Welcome to the forum. It is advised not to use any substrate (unless your doing a bioactive (advanced owners)) as ingestion is high even if you don't feed in your enclosure. They lick everything that is how they get to know their surroundings and gives info about things around them, so they will eat some. There are some people that have no issues with using sand and those who do it's hit and miss, but why risk it IMO.
You are correct their "natural" surroundings in Aust are clay like.
Most use tile, slate for the solid surfaces and non-adhesive contact paper, paper towels, newspaper, repti carpet..
You are correct their "natural" surroundings in Aust are clay like.
Most use tile, slate for the solid surfaces and non-adhesive contact paper, paper towels, newspaper, repti carpet..
- Messages
- 5,574
What many do is solid surface then if you have a gravid female they will then put them in a lay box that is playsand/soil mix then once done removed. They are domesticated soo much that their really only need a dig box for when they lay eggs. The problem with alfalfa pellets is if they are ingested they will swell up taking much needed moisture from your beardie while digesting.
I've seen some beardies enjoy being able to dig was why i was wanting the dig box. Only other idea i have are these corn starch packing peanuts that are meant for ferrets and rats that dissolve completely into water as soon as moisture hits them, or mayeb a fleece scraps dig box. If not i'll find other ways to entertain him or her.
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- 1,669
I wouldn't be too terribly concerned about an area for them to dig - none of mine have even LIKED the sand box I've tried to provide. even when my female was laying dormant eggs (she is a retired breeder) she didn't want to use the sand box.
- Messages
- 264
- Location
- SAINT LOUIS, MO
If you are looking for a more natural substrate you could try excavator clay. I have it in two enclosures and it looks great, although they don't really dig around in it. You can make tunnels and they will use them occasionally. I use excavator clay, branches, slate and rocks in their enclosures. My dragons are thriving with these combinations and it looks good too.
