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  1. #1
    Registered User lisafoster2510's Avatar
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    Best substrate for a savannah monitor

    Hi.I was wondering what a good substrate would be for a savannah monitor, The breeder said sand but I have also been reading that dirt mixed with sand is good. Any help is apreciated
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    BPnet Veteran CherryBlossom's Avatar
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    I used a mix of cypress mulch and soil ... he loved it and loved to dig around it in, also held the humidity well for him.

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    BPnet Senior Member Robyn@SYR's Avatar
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    What breeder said sand? Do you mean the "dealer" said sand?

    They don't live in sand dunes, that is a common pet store misconception. They live in soil. A good diggable, burrowable soil is far and away the best choice for a substrate. Savs and other Albigs are prodigious diggers, and it is great for their physical and mental well being.

  4. #4
    BPnet Senior Member Robyn@SYR's Avatar
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    I usually suggest folks start with the "Home Depot mix" of topsoil/playsand/vermiculite in a 50/25/25 mix. It is easy to get, easy to mix, economical, and works well for most lizards.

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    Registered User lisafoster2510's Avatar
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    Well I am glad I checked out my state lawn mass I cannot have any monitors.Kind of hard to be discrete with a lizard that size .I went to NERD in NH and got one of there captive bred argentine tegus. I will postpcs in the morning.
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  6. #6
    BPnet Veteran purplemuffin's Avatar
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    I've seen people use the mix of sand/soil mixture, supposedly holds humidity well and also keeps burrows strong!

    http://savannahmonitor.org/ best caresheet in the world for these guys!

    Edit: Woops! Oh well, have fun with your tegu!
    Last edited by purplemuffin; 04-12-2011 at 07:50 PM.

  7. #7
    Registered User lisafoster2510's Avatar
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    Thanks for all the help
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  8. #8
    BPnet Senior Member Robyn@SYR's Avatar
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    That stinks about monitors, they are very rewarding to keep. I would still use soil for Tegus as well.

    Best of luck!

  9. #9
    Registered User Big Dave's Avatar
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    Well I have used jungle mix and cyprus. My Red Tegu much preferred cyprus mulch. That said, I am now using white beach towels. Very easy to clean, she comes out on top and burrows under. You can always see if there is a mess to clean up. We switched to this method after having a mite infestation. We don't know where we picked up the mites, maybe from a mouse? The cage stays spotlessly clean now and she really doesn't seem to mind. When they get dirty, shake em outside and throw them in the laundry with a little bleach. We do the same thing for our Ball Python. I know it doesn't look as cool as a tank full of mulch but you know that your tegu isn't laying in a pile of her own filth.

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