savanah and nile monitors substrate

i have a nile monitor and a savanah and i want to know if i can use pine mulch or hemlock mulch as a substrate because the cypress at the pet store is way to expensive

I use cypress for my nile. Instead of the pet store you might want to try Wal mart or Home Depot. I get my cypress at Wal mart for $1.50 per 40lb.

The substrate best utilized by virtually ALL monitor lizards is easy to find, VERY cheap, and quite easy to maintain.

It's called DIRT. Monitors like to dig and burrow - and unfortunately, no mulch will hold a burrow.

It's not about what is best for you, or what is easiest for you - it's about what is best for your monitor.

Very correct. You should definately use dirt unless the animal is in quarintine.

i have a 43 inch adult male savannah monitor...i have found using multh is alright.no it cant hold a burrow but yes he can dig in it..as long as you have a hide box,cave, etc. multch is ok.

Originally Posted by Mark and Aimee

The substrate best utilized by virtually ALL monitor lizards is easy to find, VERY cheap, and quite easy to maintain.

It's called DIRT. Monitors like to dig and burrow - and unfortunately, no mulch will hold a burrow.

Keep in mind there is good dirt and bad dirt. Bad dirt might turn into a slimy mess when wet, turn into a choking dust when dry, not hold a burrow, not drain well, or maybe for reasons unexplained your monitors just don't like it. Good dirt for keeping large lizards indoors is definitely NOT the same as good dirt for growing plants outdoors. Finding good dirt can be difficult sometimes, and trying out two or three loads of dirt (at about half a ton to a ton each for large monitor cages) to find good dirt will get you exhausted. Good dirt is definitely worth all the trouble, though.

Your best bet is probably to go to a local nursery or landscaping company. Check out the bulk dirt they sell - no, not the stuff in bags, the stuff you buy by the ton or cubic yard. They usually have it in piles out back, so you can poke it for burrowability and so on. If in doubt, you can probably buy a small quantity of it and put it in a small setup (say a 60 gallon tank) to see how it holds up after a couple weeks.

Good luck,

Luke