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Good substrate mix for monitors?

hadenglock

hadenglock

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Ive been pondering this for quite some time now as everyone has different answers but nobody seems to give me good specifics on their mixtures. What i want to know is the kind of substrate mix you use and how well it holds moisture and how well it does for digging and holding burrows. Ive already found some people using decomposed granite but its not available anywhere near me. I am building a horse trough enclosure for my ackies. Thank you for any input.
 
Some folks seem to have no problems using regular fill dirt. Both my Savs are housed on peat moss. It's really good at holding moisture as well as mold resistant. I wouldn't advise feeding in an enclosure filled with peat just in the off chance of ingestion but I've had no problems in the two years I've used it. As for burrowing my female loves it. It compacts really hard on the surface and hold a burrow well. I guess you'll probably get a dozen different suggestions and it really boils down to your personal preference.
 
A sand/soil mix works well. About 60-70% sand by weight.

I use the soil from my backyard. It contains a fair amount of small rocks, sand, soil, clay, organic matter, etc. The rabbits and groundhogs don't have a problem establishing burrows in it and neither does my savannah monitor.
 
Sifted pool sand with just enough topsoil to turn mix brown. Make it wet and see how well it clumps in your hand. Playsand is too course.
 
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