WHAT IS THE BEST BEARDED DRAGON SUBSTRATE?

[@EmzNotBroken1972]

I have not been able to find much info on dental care for bearded dragons and my sweet 2 year old had to be put down because she refused to eat squash and harder veggies because I didn't know that's how they keep their teeth clean. She had so much pain from the buildup on her teeth, she stopped eating all together. She also had a hard lump on the edge of her mouth that the vet believed to be cancer, so I stopped the painstaking assist feeding. She had endured enough, so I let her go. With that, I don't know if you know this fact, I unfortunately learned, unlike dogs and cats, you give them a shot and they are "gone". However, with beardies, they get a shot in their tummy and it puts them to "sleep", however, they have to do even more over at least 24 hours because the beardie can have a reaction that they are in brumation and actually wake back up! I know it might be a bit graphic and honestly, I wish I didn't know this, but I want to share things I find out and educate. So, my original request was dental care. I feel that is a really important topic. And go back to your weekly Q & A videos! I miss them!

[@jeffreymagni1272]

I'm sorry to hear this. I hope you are trying again. BD are unique in that Bearded dragons have acrodont dentition, which means their teeth are directly fused to their jaw bones unlike us. My understanding is that this means they are more suseptable to mouthrot. From what I am learning Fruit is to be avoided because it's a contributing factor of bad oral health. They do not have access to any fruits in their wild diet and the high sugar content is just asking for trouble for their dental health. I don't feed any fruits at all. Also proper UVB levels is really important for their bone health.

[@BLURby84]

I use old school hard red bricks stacked to mimic rock cliffs and I plan on putting in some flagstone rock in the bottom in parts

[@wildflower2134]

I enjoy your videos. I am learning a lot from you all. Oh, and I really enjoyed the verse :)

[@ColdBloodCreations]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@trinrage]

Just my opinion of course. In the wild there are no paper towels or tile and they manage to survive. They are native to mild deserts and arid woods so I believe it is best to make your substrate as close to that as possible. Mine is a mix of play sand, organic topsoil, sphagnum moss and eco earth. Depending on the reptile the mix varies, I use more soil and moss for my geckos etc. My dragons love to burrow and I feel like I would be taking away their feeling of safety if they could not dig. Yes, they get dirty but they are happy! My dragons also love water, they play and splash and even dig in it lol. I just wanted to share my thoughts, have an amazing day!

[@stevetodd2367]

Great video,, mine is half natural slate rock and the other side is half play sand and coconut coir with a few logs to climb. . The sand and coir clump like cat litter makes cleanup super easy.

[@ColdBloodCreations]

Very nice!

[@JennP55]

Love the video!! Thank you!!❤️

[@bobbiwallace662]

gooooooooooooo dawgs love the shirt

[@deojj]

I've found that drawer liner works really well. It comes in different patterns (we have one that looks like marble), easy to cut to size, it stays in place and is also really really easy to clean because nothing really soaks in. I'm able to use paper towels to wipe it up and really get it thoroughly cleaned. Which helps with removing the strong odor that can build up over time with other substrates.

[@edwardrussellgleeson3774]

Good stuff. Thanks guys. I use brown parchment/butcher paper and one 12" X 12" tile. Looks good with the drift wood and artificial too.

[@ColdBloodCreations]

We use paper with our babies.

[@Natwits_Reptiles]

Nice video. I actually use a repti-chip mixed with pea gravel and it’s been working great.

[@ColdBloodCreations]

Good to know!

[@kathywhite4078]

What about sand mat for a substrate? 16:54

[@wsanch111]

(Bible verse) Love the intro. You are now my go to Bearded Dragon experts on KZbin. God bless

[@eriksreptilechannel3898]

I bought a cheap tile cutter, it wasn't that tough to figure out . The first couple were rough but I got better at cutting them the more I used it. P.S. I know that Verse well , I used to read it on the wall every church service . I've been hearing that Verse a lot lately as well. Thank You.

[@michelleturner4558]

What about using coconut shavings?

[@junoeggers8878]

When I got mine as a rescue he was in calcium sand, and I received so much hell from helpful keepers. I took their advice and switched to carpet(big mistake). I'm now using a rubber mat. I like the mat, he doesn't. His favorite was the calcium sand, because he could dig and cover himself in it. My favorite is the rubber mat, because it is easy to clean and I don't have the glitter effect you discussed. Either way, thanks for the video I liked hearing y'alls take on the subject.

[@ColdBloodCreations]

Thanks for sharing!! They were against sand, but suggested carpet? Wow! Sounds like the same bunch that we're saying to feed squash as a "staple vegetable"... Social media. It keeps me laughing...

[@blanco1231000]

My girl is 5 years old and I would never take away her calcium sand. She loves it and Zilla poop scooper makes is the best.

[@christianmatson5170]

I keep elevated food bowls on a second tier to keep them from getting any sand in their mouth when they do feed. But when I put crickets and mealworms in and they do get sand in their mouth at that point in time, but it’s really not that big of a deal these animals are from Australia. They’re built to last treat them how they be treated in the wild and handle them like little buddies.

[@trialbyfirepyrography321]

I started off using the ceramic tile and they worked great! My only issue with it was the weight. I was in Home Depot one day and saw vinyl flooring on a roll. They had one that looked like stone. The rolls were 13' wide and you buy how ever many feet you want. So paid $12 for a 1'x13' strip. From that, I can do several 55 gallon tanks. It's beautiful, easy to clean, my dragon loves it and it can be easily removed. I just cut it to size with scissors. I highly recommend it.

[@ColdBloodCreations]

Awesome tip. Thanks for sharing.

[@trialbyfirepyrography321]

@@ColdBloodCreations You're welcome!

[@azeliat100]

I found your FB page, but can't find your group. Is it a different name?

[@ColdBloodCreations]

Here ya go: facebook.com/groups/1662331307609708

[@azeliat100]

@ColdBloodCreations thank you so much

[@thewhitechickmagnets]

I have a beardie who just does NOT want to be picked up. He will run away, and i just want him to get used to it. I need help

[@Na.thalia.a]

Hello can you explain the bathing process? How often? And why since they are desert animals? 🤔

[@ZeroxRaizen]

I never thought about using cypress mulch and what size tank do you have your bearded dragons in?

[@ColdBloodCreations]

Some are in 40 gallons. Some are in 125. All of them go outside in large open cages during sunning days.

[@dgolding03icloud]

Hi I have a bearded dragon and live in New Zealand he’s 19 months old how long is recommended to keep him out of his viv for please

[@hidedurfful]

I had my tank set for my girl with a tile floor. I had a sand area for her bathroom use and I had water area for her to get herself wet and and a water bowl I also had rocks and sticks for climbing I put her salads in with her but used a tote for bug feeding so she would get nips and things from them I also use to add lives plants in with her but sadly she loved a good 11 years 😢

[@jeffreymagni1272]

I've had great experience using deep substrates (6 to 12 inches deep) like the Bio Dude'ss Terra Sahara with a cap of Austrailian Dessert sand for my small Arid enclosures. For my super large enclosures I'm having great success using my own DIY Natrualistic Mix of about 50% fine Paver Sand, 30% Organic Topsoil, 20% Zoo Med Excavator Clay. I'll also add dry leaf litter that I mix in as well as some Herticultural charcoal and worm casings. Some peat moss mixed in too. I grow heat tolerant grasses and Snake Plants that the Dragon mostly ignores. I have also had success growing a small Fruitless Olive Tree in the large 5'x3'x3' enclosure that the Dragon like to climb in and sleep in at night. It's pretty tough and seems- at least for a year now to hold up. Lot's of Cork bark parially burried so he can have access to deep humid hides if desired. Use a lot of red Arizona Flagstones that are stacked for the basking area as well as tall branches. Dragon's actually really like to climb if you give them the chance! What I like the most on the deep substrate is that the lower layers tend to stay moist, but the top layers dry out.. This keeps the lizard dry, but you then have this reserve of moisture deep down that slowly evaporates and provides healthy humidity assuming the enclsoure has good ventillation- installing fans can help. My Dragon is always well hydrated and is an eating and pooping machine LOL. I spot clean always ,but I do have loads of Arid Isopods and mealworms living in the substrate that usually swarm the poop in just an hour if I leave it. My Dragon stay quite clean unless he decides to run through his poop before I get to it! WHY??? then a bath is warrented. It's a bit of work and time to setup initually, but once it's dialed it in it's honeslty less work and really rewarding.

[@Biancaevertsz]

Wherr can i buy from you guys

[@ColdBloodCreations]

www.coldbloodcreations.online

[@traceygarrett310]

I used tiles for bread dragon

[@janetrojas396]

Is Cyprus mulch okay for the babies? I am setting up a tank as a beginner and want to make sure I do everything right!

[@ColdBloodCreations]

I prefer plain paper for babies as they poop ALOT, and paper is easy to clean or replace.

[@christiwiley7941]

Our dragon is about 4+ months old. We keep her on paper towels for now. When is a good time to switch the paper towels out with a different substrate?

[@ColdBloodCreations]

About 11:30 A.M. Jes messin with ya. Really anytime you want. It is completely up to you.

[@DigitalFunkPunk]

I feel like tile is the way.

[@servantofourlordjesuschris6456]

This bearded dragon I have shakes his arms a lot when I pick him up. He doesn’t really stand up, and just lays down. Is this a sign of bone disease? He is having a hard time lifting himself up.

[@firstladieee6615]

He could have a calcium deficiency or metabolic bone disease…make sure your husbandry has the right uvb lighting and heat

[@wilsoncaban1580]

How about eco earth,or earth mix.?

[@fureveryoungfarm3752]

Don't they live in the desert? Where there is nothing but sand? lol. I'm not doing sand but I find it funny they say they can't be on it.

[@marjoleinvnoort6961]

I use play sand for years never have a bearded dragon with problems.

[@brandonedwards1181]

Nice scripture from gospel of Matthew my brother in Christ!

[@mantis20992003]

I've had my dragon on sand for 13 yrs no problems no sticking to bottom of skin none in his ear he is great

[@ColdBloodCreations]

You da man! Yeah plenty of keepers been using sand for decades, but they get banned from the FB groups by some lemonhead with 6 months of experience with a free/"rescue" dragon... You know, the typical "group experts"...

[@mantis20992003]

@@ColdBloodCreations smh 😆

[@Omah50]

@@ColdBloodCreations the same group experts that don't know that squash aren't a "staple vegetable"?

[@ArtimusPrime35]

I went with one part soil, one part play sand, and half a part of excavator clay. She loves it! She hated the calcium sand. Constant glass surfing.

[@dereksmyth8596]

The problem with anything other than loose substrate is that it causes joint issues later in life for the dragon. There have been definitive studies on this. Tile is great if you have a dragon that can not have loose substrate for medical reasons. Bearded dragons do not live in sand so that is never a good choice. Telling people not to listen to the current herpatological advice is ridiculous. Breeders that think they know more than herpatologists crack me up. The only sand that should be used is a mix of lay sand and organic soil 50/50 mix unless you have access to the mix that is equivalent to Australia desert sand which isn't just sand. Yes! Carpets are trash and unsanitary. They are not wrong about everything here but most of it. This is the world expert on bearded dragons his research is undisputed. Much more reliable than "I've been doing this for 30 years so it must be right" attitude. When you are unwilling to learn the new information then you have no business in breeding. Anyway here's the video. All 100% accurate. No opinions. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZPcZ5dpjt2Mj7ssi=FRSXRR1nGSkcv_jH

[@Neochet]

The whole "don't use sand as a substrate" infuriates me because it stems from a lack of understanding, and and almost "Chinese whispers" like effect where key bits of information have been lost over time. 1. The type of sand is never really discussed in this topic, it's always just a blanket "sand is bad" - The original reports of sand causing impaction stems specifically from CALCI-SAND being used a substrate; this is still a big nono as beardies can sense the calcium in the sand and will naturally want to eat it in large quantities, this is bad. Additionally, certain sands like builders sand are also used which, again, is bad as it easily clumps up and can cause impaction. However, something like a 50/50 mix of play sand and top soil is completely fine. 2. People think their beardy is naturally inclined to eat sand. This is NOT true, no healthy beardy will eat sand, this was touched on in the video. A healthy beardy will never be inclined to eat sand, if a beardy is observed deliberately consuming sand it means it is not getting the correct nutrients in their diet, so are seeking it from the soil. This is an issue with the husbandry, not the substrate. 3. While tile isn't necessarily a bad substrate, it has been observed that beardies can develop muscle and joint issues when they are kept strictly on tile due to the hard nature of the material, similarly to how you'd get foot issues if you spent most of your time walking barefoot on hard stone floors. Additionally, while the nail filing is a pro for tile, this can easily be achieved with rocks/bricks placed around the enclosure as climbing/enrichment activities. 4. Another issue with providing solid substrate is that beardies have a natural instinct to dig, and this can provide enrichment for the dragon. I know you have stated in a previous video that you don't really observe beardies digging, but it is a natural and observed behaviour so why not offer them the opportunity (and yes, dig boxes can be a good compromise). 5. People seem to think that beardies should not eat food on loose substrate due to the risk of ingesting sand. Again, with a healthy beady this is a non-issue, a healthy bearded dragon can pass (the correct type of) sand with no issue, especially at the quantities they will accidentally ingest with their food. People tend to recommend feeding their dragon from a cup if they're on loose sand, however this deprives them of both the exercise and mental enrichment they will get from actively hunting their prey around the enclosure. tl;dr - When a bearded dragon husbandry is done correctly, i.e heat, UVB, nutrients, hydration, etc. A healthy bearded dragon will never have an issue with impaction when kept on the CORRECT type of loose substrate, and if you observe your beardy deliberately eating their sand, it means you've done something wrong or they're sick. Also note that the above is specifically for juvenile/adult beardies, babies below like 6 months it's still recommended to keep on something like paper towel.