Best Substrate

[pewarchuk]

I just got a plated lizard with the tank and everything. And as i was feeding her a cricket she ate a mouthfull of cedar shavings. So i was wondering i have a bunch of eco-earth but i heard that it can cause compaction. So which one do u guys think would be the best

thanks in advance

 

[Tim Benzedrine]

Well, I think just about any substrate can cause impaction, especially if swallowed in substantial quantities. Eco-earth is considered one of the safer choices in the hobby, though. I think I would prefer it over cedar shavings. Cedar has aromatic oils which might not be very good for the animal. Somebody more familiar with the stuff than I may confirm or deny that, I'm not positive.
Of course, common newspaper is considered to be one of the best substrates for many species that do not require substrat in which to burrow. It isn't very visually pleasing, of course. I think I have heard of using butcher paper, which I think would look much better.

 

[Faing]

Cedar iS not a good substrate for any reptile honestly. Your best bets are cypress mulch or Eco earth of you want a particle substrate but if your reptile keeps ingesting the substrate butcher paper, newspaper, or paper towels is probably your best bet. Hope that helped and you'll take it into consideration