Severe Impaction: This is why you should not use sand

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PatrickTheArowana;2285722; said:
Yes sir.I use the slate tile so that it gives it that natural look.I think it simulates their rocky desert terrain perfectly.Also the beardies love it.They love to just spread out on it while under the heat lamp.
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What is natural about a smooth surface, that they cant burrow or dig in? How does it stimulate their rocky terrain? I feel bad for them truthfully, youre not really providing any naturalisitc enviorment, and youre not promoting natural behaviors, while it is your animal and youre entitled to do as you wish, I think you should also consider the animals health. Remember you chose him not the other way around.
 
varanio;2285742; said:
What is natural about a smooth surface, that they cant burrow or dig in? How does it stimulate their rocky terrain? I feel bad for them truthfully, youre not really providing any naturalisitc enviorment, and youre not promoting natural behaviors, while it is your animal and youre entitled to do as you wish, I think you should also consider the animals health. Remember you chose him not the other way around.
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Slate tile is not smooth.It is course and rough,and a little bit rocky on some pieces.Some of you talked about using carpet,the only difference with tile is that it's not soft and easier to clean.

And,the only digging mine seem to do are the females when laying their eggs.As soon as it's time for them to lay I put them in a Rubbermaid container full of vermaculite.So...still not seeing your argument as to my choice of tile.Also I would never use or recommend using sand for hatch-lings as you are just asking for impaction.

I will post pics of my fabulous tiled enclosure once it is stained and varnished.:D


You misspelled your BTW.:D I kid,I kid...
 
evilxyardxgnome;2285750; said:
You should of mentioned how it spreads heat nicely rather than just in one spot. Hence why they like to lay on it.
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Yes,you are correct.That is one of the main reasons I chose it over the carpet.Thanks for the help my friend.:headbang2
 
PatrickTheArowana;2285783; said:
Slate tile is not smooth.It is course and rough,and a little bit rocky on some pieces.Some of you talked about using carpet,the only difference with tile is that it's not soft and easier to clean.

And,the only digging mine seem to do are the females when laying their eggs.As soon as it's time for them to lay I put them in a Rubbermaid container full of vermaculite.So...still not seeing your argument as to my choice of tile.Also I would never use or recommend using sand for hatch-lings as you are just asking for impaction.

I will post pics of my fabulous tiled enclosure once it is stained and varnished.:D


You misspelled your BTW.:D I kid,I kid...
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Youre = you are, your = something that belongs to you :)

How do you suppose hatchlings survive in their desert surroundings? They surely chase their prey items and ingest quite a bit of sand dirt etc etc... yet they survive. Anyhow this isnt a discussion about the survival tactics of Pogona Vitticeps in the australian outback, this is about how to create a stimulating enviornment for our captives. My males dig burrows just as much as the females, they use them for shelter and for thermoregulation. Give them 12-20 inches of dirt/sand and see what happens.;)
 
I agree. We often times don't give these animals as much credit as they deserve. They've been surviving hundreds of thousands of generations on sand and it hasn't caused them to become extinct yet. I'm sure there is a risk in the outback but it's low. A healthy animal should be able to pass it. Still we as keepers know of the risks that could happen and we have to use are heads sometimes like with smaller animals such as babies.
 
It's in the same boat as feeding live food to reptiles. Just because they do it in the wild doesn't mean its always necessary to do it in captivity. Especially if there is a risk of the reptile getting hurt. I wouldn't want to take that risk, would you?
 
Vicious_Fish;2285939; said:
I agree. We often times don't give these animals as much credit as they deserve. They've been surviving hundreds of thousands of generations on sand and it hasn't caused them to become extinct yet. I'm sure there is a risk in the outback but it's low. A healthy animal should be able to pass it. Still we as keepers know of the risks that could happen and we have to use are heads sometimes like with :cheers:
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