I'm currently building an enclosure for my 4month old tegu and I would like to have about 2feet of substrate for him to burrow in. I was thinking of using eco-earth topped with some cypress mulch. Is eco-earth a good choice for this?? Also, I noticed most people do not put enough substrate for the tegus to burrow in, is there any specific reason for this?? Thanks in advance for the help!!
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Substrate for burrowing
- Thread starter CRACK654
- Start date
You are right that most people do not (in my opinion) give enough substrate for their animals. One reason would be when you want to find your tegu it can be quite difficult to locate and dig them up with such depth in the substrate.
Eco earth will work nicely, and it hold moisture better than just about anything.
I'd always mixed it with redwood mulch as cypress isnt available in my area.
Eco earth will work nicely, and it hold moisture better than just about anything.
I'd always mixed it with redwood mulch as cypress isnt available in my area.
Yesssir I have about 8" of substrate in the tank he's in now and there will be times the tank seems empty even after I check under everything!! Tegus have the crazy ninja skills!! It doesn't really bother me because hes out and about all day he usually disappears when its gettin dark to sleep or after he eats for a little while.
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i had to get rid of my substrate. I started to see little white worms and took it all out. I just recently put more back in and the next day saw the worms. I have had my tegu checked for parasites twice and nothing. So im not sure where they're coming from but i only see them when there is substrate. My tegu doesnt seem to mind either. He doesnt even try to dig. if you think this is wrong please tell me.
I'm not an expert but I would think that not providing enough substrate could stress the tegu since they are natural burrowers. My tegu has been hiding under the substrate to sleep since the day I got him. Thats why I want to put 2 feet of substrate in the enclosure I'm building now so when hes full grown he can still be completely out of sight in his burrow.
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There are some people who think and fear the tegu might get impaction. actually saw someone keep a tegu on repti carpet. my little boy loves to burrow and I fear he would hurt himself on repti carpet. I think a tegu should have enough substrate to be able to conceal itsef completey. Some people say they need like 2ft minimum. I think that's a bit exatrated.
