Cohabitation with Beardies?
Forum rules
In this forum all are welcome to ask blue tongue skink-related questions, share information, ideas, tips, experiences, and pictures with fellow BTS enthusiasts.
If you are wondering if your BTS is acting normally or might be sick, this is where you can get help with that.
This is also where you can have some FUN while sharing the enjoyment you get from your blueys!
In this forum all are welcome to ask blue tongue skink-related questions, share information, ideas, tips, experiences, and pictures with fellow BTS enthusiasts.
If you are wondering if your BTS is acting normally or might be sick, this is where you can get help with that.
This is also where you can have some FUN while sharing the enjoyment you get from your blueys!
- Lea
- Patron Saint of Blueys
- Posts: 4261
- Joined: Fri Sep 08, 2006 4:01 am
- Country:
- Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Re: Cohabitation with Beardies?
Oh, just another word of caution- because the texture is quite different in shop bought sand, to that in the wild, it can stick in the eyes and ears more readily. Using a shallower base of sand, with a few rocks and pebbles to prevent burrowing in that area, can prevent these potential issues, but really, avoiding sand altogether in a vivarium, is probably for the best.
Shinglebacks - Nippy, Lava, Suunto, Lutea, and Hermione
Easterns - Kiah and Jade
Easterns - Kiah and Jade
- tylociraptor
- Bluey Follower
- Posts: 299
- Joined: Fri Jul 06, 2012 1:36 pm
- Country:
- Location: NB, Canada
Re: Cohabitation with Beardies?
I'm sure animals die of impaction from licking at sand in the wild too, though. In captivity, especially in the states and Canada where we can't get aussie sand, we have an obligation to make sure our animals are safe. Unless there's documented proof that beardies benefit from sand (greated than the risk of impaction, mind you), I'd stay away from it period. You do make a good point with the sticking to the eyes and ears as well! I wouldn't think to use it in a mixture with any loose substrate myself, and would probably avoid it to be on the safe side, again, without documented proof that the benefit outweighs the risk. In fact, it surprised me that BTS do better in a loose substrate like aspen, simply because of the risks I am aware of with most lizards. I'd intended to keep mine on tile, until reading about how much they like the burrowing! (ironically, one of the reasons I decided against going with my initial plan- an ackie or a kimberly rock monitor- was because I could not supply the amount of substrate reccomended, the minimum being six inches. It would have been too heavy for the cage, and would have depleted much of the height of the cage that the monitors require!)
- Lea
- Patron Saint of Blueys
- Posts: 4261
- Joined: Fri Sep 08, 2006 4:01 am
- Country:
- Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Re: Cohabitation with Beardies?
Even in the hills and wooded habitats, in SA, the soil is often sandy. Throughout most of the arid regions, there is nothing but sand!knowing the risks in captivity, however, it is best avoided, as you say, because the risks are evident.
Shinglebacks - Nippy, Lava, Suunto, Lutea, and Hermione
Easterns - Kiah and Jade
Easterns - Kiah and Jade
- tylociraptor
- Bluey Follower
- Posts: 299
- Joined: Fri Jul 06, 2012 1:36 pm
- Country:
- Location: NB, Canada
Re: Cohabitation with Beardies?
Quite agreed. Just like many things about the animals natural habitat are dangerous, we don't want to replicate THOSE in captivity. No matter how beautiful sand can make a terrarium look!
Return to “General Discussion and FAQ”
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: Google [Bot] and 52 guests