Quote Originally Posted by Daigga View Post
I did not say it was the best, but it is certainly a better option than almost any substrate sold at big chain pet stores. Crushed walnut and calci or vita sand are well known by the bearded dragon community to contribute to high mortality rates in young bearded dragons, as these substrates are much too easily ingested. Burrowing is not essential to a healthy bearded dragon lifestyle, and dig boxes are only recommended for gravid females. The 3 top substrates ANY bearded dragon breeder will tell you to use are reptile carpet, tile, or paper towels/newspaper.

The holding humidity/saturation issue isn't a problem for bearded dragons, since the humidity is supposed to be very low anyway and misting is hardly ever required. A lot of keepers don't even keep water bowls in their tanks, since the daily (or every other day) soaking is more than enough to keep a desert reptile hydrated. Holding bacteria is only a problem if you let the carpet sit and gather poo for extended periods of time without washing it, which my husband and I do weekly.

Reptile carpet is a very safe substrate for bearded dragons, chosen for many reasons besides it's ease of cleaning.

This arguement comes up at least once a month on here. You literally said in your initial post "the best..." I have to agree that calci, vita, and crushed walnut shells is a terrible substrate. However I respectfully disagree that paper towels, tiles and carpet are any better. Just because breeders suggest it doesn't make it the spoken truth. Most breeders suggest things that make life easier for breeding. Which is why people keep snakes in racks with sani chips and disposable water dishes. It makes life easy for the breeder. I am well aware that bearded dragons are from a dry climate, however that doesn't mean they don't need access to some humidity even if it is minor, humidity helps keep lizards hydrated, so while you say misting is never needed how many people that keep beardies say you should "bathe" them once a week. They say this because soaking them keeps them hydrated, which generally means that something else is lacking correct? Again while the ability to burrow may not be a "requirement" they do burrow in the wild. Mine burrows on a daily basis. Is reptile carpet going to kill a beardie? NO, but is it something that simulates a natural habitat? No. I believe it is up to keepers to provide the best enclosures possible for their animals. All my lizards are on bio-active substrate with rocks, branches etc, my snake is on the same setup without the "bio-active" aspect of it and since doing the switch they have all become more active, dig, explore etc.