Best substrate for a savannah

What substrate do you guys recommend for a savannah? Should I treat it with something like prevent a mite like I do for my BP's?

Thanks!

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Originally Posted by Jhussey

What substrate do you guys recommend for a savannah? Should I treat it with something like prevent a mite like I do for my BP's?

Thanks!

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dirt....

I used to use a half dirt half sand mixture for mine, but then I switched to the excavator clay because it holds the burrows better. However, the clay gets expensive as the enclosures get bigger, but I still think it is very nice. Just my personal opinion.

Thanks for the info! I've heard of people using a clay/dirt mix or sand/dirt mix to help with burrowing. Thanks alot.

Some people will use a mixture of spahgnum peat moss and dirt or a soil and sand mix to keep the humdity up. Normally I see Savs kept on cypress mulch to keep the humidity up, but most prefer the dirt mix.

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Originally Posted by Jhussey

Thanks for the info! I've heard of people using a clay/dirt mix or sand/dirt mix to help with burrowing. Thanks alot.

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No problem, just thought that I would throw it out there, I know a lot of people don't use it because of the price with bigger cages. I don't mix my clay with dirt, but I love it.

Oh, as for you other question about treating the substrate before putting it in the enclosure, I never did, but I also have to say that my monitors haven't ever had mites before.

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Originally Posted by CoolioTiffany

Some people will use a mixture of spahgnum peat moss and dirt or a soil and sand mix to keep the humdity up. Normally I see Savs kept on cypress mulch to keep the humidity up, but most prefer the dirt mix.

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How high should the humidity be? I keep finding mixed feeling on this topic. Some books/site say they need about 50-75% others say as long as they have a tub of water large enough to soak in, don't worry about it.

I keep my humidity at 60% and always have dishes that they can comfortably fit in and submerge as well. I don't think you should go by what you heard. Humidity is very important, and a water dish just doesn't cut it, no matter how big it is.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jhussey

How high should the humidity be? I keep finding mixed feeling on this topic. Some books/site say they need about 50-75% others say as long as they have a tub of water large enough to soak in, don't worry about it.

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I would say around 60%-70% at the most, try to keep it near 60% and no lower than 50%. But I do agree with having the tub of water, not because of humidity but because they love to have a nice soak sometimes or just run through their water. Though, you will find yourself changing the tub daily because of how much substrate the Sav will kick in there.

Awesome info thanks! What's the best way to keep the humidity up then? With my Iggies I spray the habitat 3x a day with a mist bottle and that holds it around 80%. I'm not really sure what the natural air humidity is, but I live in Indiana if that helps.

Thanks!