Sand for a bearded dragon??

Question

My daughter has recently been given a bearded dragon complete with tank or whatever the correct name is,she has asked me to get her some sand for the bottom of tank,it may sound a stupid question,probably is,,but is there a specific type of sand that should be used or will any kind do?? thanks.

Answer 1

The Bearded Dragon has not evolved to life on sand so if it were to accidentally ingest some (or intentionally as it has been known to happen) the animals body would not be able to cope with this foreign substance inside of it. The sand, when wet, clumps up, it will do the same in the animals GI  tract causing impaction which can cause tearing of the intestinal walls. Although in the wild, there is very very fine sprinkling of sand, the floor is mainly made up of hard baked earth. Take this into consideration before choosing a substrate for your beardie.

On another note, calci sand encourages the animal to ingest it, ingestion of any kind of sand is highly dangerous. Although it says 'digestable' on the packet no sand can be fully digested, impaction is still a serious threat with this substrate and has killed countless reptiles, in my opinion calci sand should be avoided like the plague.

Answer 2

Contrary to what the pet shops will tell you, you shouldn't use sand at all use reptile carpet or even paper towel which is easier for cleanup since u can just replace it. Beardies l**k everything and when they l**k sand it can clump up in their intestines causing a blockage which can be very expensive to fix and can also result and a painful death for your new pet

Answer 3

if its a baby then i would recommend getting the callci sand or the cage liner i think the liner doesn't look very good but its the best thing to get since they don't really have the best aim when the catch their food. but i don't recommend getting regular sand b/c they can ingest it and they could die from it. the callci sand is digestible and when they ingest it they get extra calcium witch it always good :)

Answer 4

beardie and sand isnt a good mix as they can get impacted (especially babies) in the wild they may live in a desert but it isnt the sandy kind its made up of hardrock. things like natural terracotta tiles are the best thing to keep them on  

Answer 5

If the dragons already is and adult, then your worries about sand will be less, I have mine on play sand (from home depot) and he is doing well. The repti sand and calci sands that are out there are courser and clump harder and can discolor your lizard. Defiantly stay away from that. If  you don't want to take the risk, (as long as he doesn't eat mouthfuls at a time you really don't have to worry) Make sure any greens and salads are feed in a dish so he isn't eating off the sand directly (expect for the insects). They can uusuallycontrol how much sand if any the eat with the insects by spitting it out. If you have any other questions I suggest going to either bearded-dragons.com or beardeddragons.org for diet, heat, hhumidity all other requirements. GOOD LUCK.

Answer 6

when i first got my beardie she was so little that she would actually sink into the sand.. so for a little while there i had to put newspaper on the bottom of her terrarium. then as she got older i started to put the sand back into her tank. the best sands are calcium infused which is a definite bonus for them seeing as how they occasionally ingest some of the sand. but after awhile i noticed that the sand was actually pretty messy and a bit of a pain. so i actually switched to something called "desert snow". this stuff is amazing!!! its so much easier to keep clean and my beardie loves it. you can buy the desert snow for most pet stores (i buy mine from PJ's Pets)... but if your going to stick with sand, i would definitely suggest getting one that is calcium infused.. and make sure you get it from a pet store!!! any sand not from a pet store could seriously harm the beardie!!! hope i helped!! good luck with the new addition! (ps. beardies are wonderful stater lizards! they are so friendly and love to be held and walked around with) oh! also!!! DONT get anything with shells or rocks in it.. beardies feet are to tender to walk on those sorts of things... it could seriously injure their feet and tummies

Answer 7

ok well desert sand is the best even though people say dont use sand it may cause impactation dont worry about them obviously they dont where most beardies live in australia in our desert and for those that say use calcium sand that is the worest sand it claims most deaths of reptiles dunno y but  just remember beardie live all over australia and most in the desert they are born on sand a doesnt worry them and sand is the best substrate for beardies

cheers hope i helped

acctually the sand in the aussie desert is soft very very close to the same sand on the beach only more red/brown

Answer 8

You can get reptile sand at good pet shops. i wouldnt use just any sand. You can get other substrates made from barks or shells, so think about using one of those.. You have to be able to scoop plop out of it....

Answer 9

Don't use sand as it will put your beardie at risk from impaction.

Instead use lining paper, reptile carpet or rabbit(grass) pellets.

Answer 10

DONT USE ANY TYPE OF SAND AT ALL!!!!!!!!!

any kind of loose substrate can cause impaction if eaten!!!

i have 2 beardies and use an old bath towel to line the bottom of their viv!

its so easy.. when they need to be cleaned out u just take the towel out shake of the c**p and wash it in the machine!