pros and cons using astroturf as bedding??

[wilburrific]

Hey all, I just cleaned out Wilbur's cage and completely removed all substrate because he would burrow deep into it, I would never see him and he wouldn't come out on his own, even for food. I replaced the bedding with fake grass/astroturf and was wondering if its better to use than regular substrate. The breeder I got Wilbur from used it for the babies when I picked him up. I added an extra hide in the cool side (thanks to the other posts I've read) and he doesn't seem to be bothered by not being able to dig around.

pics attached xx

[Dakota]

I would say a main con is it is very hard to clean and disinfect. A breeding ground for bacteria from the poo that got imbedded into it.

Not sure of a pro, but I guess you get to see your lizard more? Personally, if he liked to burrow, I would have let him burrow. Very normal behavior.

[wilburrific]

He seems to be enjoying roaming around and exploring! Is it an issue that I've removed all the substrate? I don't want him to be skittish and afraid or very aggressive because he can't bury himself.. There are 2 more hides that I put in the tank to make him a little more comfortable.

I have a couple of sheets of turf which I will swap around when the tank needs to be cleaned, is it effective to soak the soiled ones in vinegar and water for a day or so to kill the bacteria?

[ETNJ]

I can't comment on the astro turf because I never used it, but I think you should throw in some substrate even if its just under a hide. They really do enjoy burrowing.

[Susann]

This can be a bit of a polarizing topic. On the one hand, you'll have people saying that reptiles like to hide, and ground-dwelling burrowers should be allowed to burrow as that is how they feel most comfortable and keep their stress levels low. On the other hand you'll have the people who say that keeping your skink more active, inquisitive, and social is a good thing to get your skink used to as that's how they want their pet skink; they won't be happy with a pet they never see.

There are arguments to be made both for and against both sides.

You obviously were having an issue with not getting to see him and not knowing what part of the tank he was in, but how about using a looser particle substrate and putting in much less of it? So he can still dig around and hide somewhat, but you can tell where he is and can tell he's OK.

Is it an issue to have it all removed? Probably not, unless you start seeing behavior changes that indicate that he's more stressed. With more hides he's likely fine and able to rest without a whole lot more stress than before, but my question then becomes: does it make a big difference to you if he's hiding under hides or hiding under substrate? Yes, it's easier to know where he is if you can see into the hides and it's easier to lift up a hide than it is to dig through substrate. If you're not noticing any adverse changes, then it's obviously up to you which you choose to do (you are the one reading his ques and body language), but if he starts trying to get out of the tank, climbing the sides, huffing more, acting more skittish, then I would advocate for at least putting some of the substrate back.

[splashy07]

I used to use it when I kept water dragons. The only thing I did not like about it was when they scratched at it in the corners little pieces would come loose, and perhaps with skinks could end up in their food? Wasn't an issue with the dragons because I fed them out of their tank.

[TPceebee]

I can't give any advice on astroturf, but I've personally used 3 different substrate setups. The first was half substrate, half paper towels. He could burrow in the cold end or chill out in his hide at the hot end. He always sat with his head sticking out of his hot end hide. The second setup I had was a tank filled with a lot of substrate. He always hid and I never saw him, even for food. The third setup, and the one I'm using just now is a loose substrate across the entire tank, about the height of his elbows. He still burrows (and enjoys it XD) but I can almost always see him, unless he goes under his hide or his plants.