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is coconut fiber substrate good for bearded dragons

by Fannie Schuppe III Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago

Health Concerns. Still, the use of particulate substrates, including sand and coconut fiber, for bearded dragons is controversial. The Chicago Exotics Animal Hospital notes that keeping bearded dragons on any particulate substrate is not recommended because of the risk of intestinal impaction.

Is your bearded dragon’s substrate safe?

If the substrate doesn’t check off those boxes, you run the risk of creating a dangerous and unhygienic environment for your bearded dragon. At the end of the day, keeping your reptile safe and healthy is the top priority.

Can I add sand to my bearded dragon’s Cage?

Expert Tip: You can add some sand to your bearded dragon’s enclosure for enrichment purposes. But it should always be contained in a digging box. Never use it for the substrate. Doing so is just asking for diseases and health problems. Sand isn’t the only thing you should avoid when picking out a substrate for bearded dragons.

Is reptile carpet good for bearded dragons?

Overall, reptile carpet is one of the best bearded dragon substrates available. Ignore the naysayers and give it a shot! You’ll be surprised at how efficient and safe it is.

Can bearded dragons eat crushed walnuts?

But you should never use it as a substrate. Crushed walnuts are another popular substrate you’ll see bagged up at the pet store. But it’s nothing more than leftovers from a walnut processing plant. In other words, it contains sharp shells and dust. The shells can be quite sharp, which is not great for bearded dragons.

What substrate is best for bearded dragons?

7 Best Substrates for Bearded DragonsReptile Carpet. Reptile carpet is a great substrate. ... Newspaper or Paper Towels. Pros. ... Ceramic Tiles. Ceramic tiles are an eco-friendly substrate that provide your beardie's terrarium with a natural look. ... Rubber Shelf Liner. Pros. ... Alfalfa Pellets. Pros. ... Wood Chips or Bark. Pros. ... Sand. Pros.

Is coconut fiber safe for reptiles?

A reptile's environment is key to maintaining its health and longevity. Coir, or coconut fiber, is an all-natural, nontoxic, cost-effective product that can improve your pet's habitat.

What is the safest substrate for a bearded dragon?

The best substrate solution for your bearded dragon's terrarium is newspaper (especially for babies) and a carpet liner. You can use sand, but with much caution. Switch from sand if your bearded dragon ingests it regularly. You can also use ceramic tiles, but they can be expensive to setup and hard to walk on.

What substrate is best for bearded dragon eggs?

To successfully incubate your bearded dragon's eggs, you'll need a box with a tight-fitting lid, a substrate that holds moisture well like vermiculite or perlite, a DIY or store-bought incubator, and tools for measuring temperature and humidity in your incubator.

Is coco Fibre digestible?

Most of this fiber is insoluble, meaning that it doesn't get digested. Instead, it works to move food through your digestive system and aids bowel health. Coconut meat is particularly high in calories, saturated fat, and fiber.

How do you clean coconut fiber substrate?

☑ EASY TO CLEAN - Reptile cage mat is made of natural coconut fiber and are resistant to dirt, durable and easy to clean. You just shake the dirt off the mat, rinse it with water, hang it up to dry, and then put it back in the cage.

How often do you change bearded dragon substrate?

Bake playground sand in the oven at 350°F for about 15 minutes to kill off any potential bad germs or bacteria – just to be on the safe side. Replace sand-based substrates once a month while spot cleaning as any messes arise.

How deep should the substrate be for a bearded dragon?

4-6″ deepAnd although they are technically “loose” substrates, they do not pose an impaction risk because they pack well and are composed of natural materials that bearded dragon's digestive tracts are built to handle. Pack the substrate 4-6″ deep for best results.

Is sand or carpet better for bearded dragons?

It is not recommended that you keep young bearded dragons on sand, or any kind of loose substrate. Newspaper, paper toweling or reptile carpet (though watch for loose threads or areas that can snag dragon toenails) would be better choices. Adult bearded dragons can be kept on these same substrates.

What month do bearded dragons lay eggs?

Female bearded dragons generally lay eggs when they become sexually mature at around 8-18 months (about 1 and a half years) of age, but some bearded dragons have laid eggs as early as 9 months of age in rare cases!

What is safe for bearded dragons to dig in?

When selecting a substrate for your bearded dragon's tank, you should choose one of three options: Tile, excavator clay, or ReptiChips. We prefer ReptiChips as they are easier to keep clean and provide a substrate for your bearded dragon to dig in. Using a mix of one or more of these is ideal.

Can you eat bearded dragon eggs?

7:2810:50Eating Bearded Dragon Lizard Eggs! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's creamy tastes like eggs. We were trapped by it. Though there you go it tastes like eggs whatMoreIt's creamy tastes like eggs. We were trapped by it. Though there you go it tastes like eggs what you think tastes like is the first time you taste it it's like wow.

What Is A Substrate?

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If you’re new to the world of reptiles you may have heard the term substrate mentioned but aren’t really sure what it is. Well basically the term substrate is used to describe an underlying substance and in this case its the material used to cover the floor of a vivarium or terrarium. You may also hear substrate referred to as be…
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Which Substrate Should I Use For My Bearded Dragon?

  • This has to be one of the most commonly asked questions among bearded dragon owners. It has also been a long debated topic regarding which is best ….. particle or non-particle? There are numerous forums where enthusiasts share their knowledge and experiences. This makes forums a great place to get some helpful information especially when starting out or if you’re unsure wh…
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Particle Substrate

  • Particle substrate is the term used for the flooring in a vivarium which is made up of loose particles rather than a solid mass. Particle substrates include sand, sterile topsoil, woodchips, calci-sand, crushed walnut shells, coconut fibre etc. Some of these particle substrates are absolutely not suitable for bearded dragons under any legitimate ci...
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Non-Particle Substrate

  • Since particle substrates are loose small particles that cover the floor of the vivarium, a non-particle substrate is one that is made of larger items of material. Things such as slate or tiles, newspapers or paper towels, fake grass mats or even sandcovered paper. These non-particle substrate are an excellent choice when either you or your dragon are inexperienced. Baby beard…
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Substrate Pros and Cons

  • As with everything in life there are pros and cons to the choice of substrate. It’s up to you as the keeper to use the information and weigh up the choice that works best for you and your dragon. Every situation is individual and every dragon and owner are individual.
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Factors When Considering Which Substrate to Use

  • The Age Of The Bearded Dragon
    Adult bearded dragons are fairly robust hardy creatures and cope well with various substrate options. Babies and juvenile bearded dragons on the other hand do not always cope as well. Particle substrates are best avoided for bearded dragons under a year old. This is mainly becaus…
  • Health Of The Bearded Dragon
    If you are using a loose substrate and your bearded dragon becomes unwell it is always advisable to remove the substrate and replace with a simple substrate such as paper. Sometimes the substrate can exacerbate the problem by becoming an irritant. For example, one of our little girl…
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Final Words

  • As you can see there is much to choose from and there is good, not so good and things to avoid for both options. If you’re already using a substrate that works for you and you bearded dragon (whether is be particle or non-particle) and they are happy and healthy. Stick with it. If you are undecided or looking to try something new maybe consider having both types of substrate in yo…
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