which substrate is better for a northern bts

[Blotch]

shredded newspaper is fine. Colour or B&W.

Sand and dirt are fine too, but it'd be better if either one was compacted so it was hard. Reason i say this is cuz Blueys live on dirt and sand in the wild. However, it is compacted due to rainfall and the elements which means that it has less chance of being breathed in. Impaction is a problem, but with all my time i've kept blueys on sand, I never had that problem, so i guess the choice is yours in regards to that one. I like the recycled paper kitty litter. Carefresh is great, or you can go the aspen like everyone else said.

personally out of all of the choices you've been given - I'd go carefresh or the pellets i mentioned.

[NomadOfTheHills]

I don't feel sand is a risk for BTS impaction wise. To be honest, impaction is normally a result of poor husbandry practices, which prevents the sand from being passed. Examples include poor temperature gradients and hydration issues.

I do not like sand for several reasons: heavy, gets smelly, does not absorb well, hard to spot clean efficiently, and can be very dusty, depending on what type you get. Also, if you use pet store sand, it can be really frickin expensive as well.

Dirt is a better choice, and is actually the preffered substrate for monitor lizards. The trick is finding clean, parasite free dirt.

Remember, BTS do not burrow in the wild, they merely hide under stuff. The substrates we use in captivity mimic the leaf litter and other debris that they would hide under. This is normally on top of dirt.

[Zach]

Why not the color sections? The ink doesn't rub off on my finger or bluey foot with the "plasticy" smooth colored pages..

Don't know, that is usually what is recommended.

From what? By who? I've just never heard that once...doesn't make sense as there's no scent or residue like regular B&W newspaper.

[Zach]

I don't feel sand is a risk for BTS impaction wise. To be honest, impaction is normally a result of poor husbandry practices, which prevents the sand from being passed. Examples include poor temperature gradients and hydration issues.

I do not like sand for several reasons: heavy, gets smelly, does not absorb well, hard to spot clean efficiently, and can be very dusty, depending on what type you get. Also, if you use pet store sand, it can be really frickin expensive as well.

Dirt is a better choice, and is actually the preffered substrate for monitor lizards. The trick is finding clean, parasite free dirt.

Remember, BTS do not burrow in the wild, they merely hide under stuff. The substrates we use in captivity mimic the leaf litter and other debris that they would hide under. This is normally on top of dirt.

There are many instances where BTS dig into the ground for brumation and even retreat during the night. Many trackers I've spoken with have talked about seeing them retreat into "underground tunnels"...

[Blotch]

I don't feel sand is a risk for BTS impaction wise. To be honest, impaction is normally a result of poor husbandry practices, which prevents the sand from being passed. Examples include poor temperature gradients and hydration issues.

I do not like sand for several reasons: heavy, gets smelly, does not absorb well, hard to spot clean efficiently, and can be very dusty, depending on what type you get. Also, if you use pet store sand, it can be really frickin expensive as well.

Dirt is a better choice, and is actually the preffered substrate for monitor lizards. The trick is finding clean, parasite free dirt.

Remember, BTS do not burrow in the wild, they merely hide under stuff. The substrates we use in captivity mimic the leaf litter and other debris that they would hide under. This is normally on top of dirt.

There are many instances where BTS dig into the ground for brumation and even retreat during the night. Many trackers I've spoken with have talked about seeing them retreat into "underground tunnels"...

Blueys regularly use rabbit burrows and such holes as shelter. They do burrow, but I wouldn't say they dig out the tunnels. More so they'd dig into loose dirt just as they do with substrate.

[shingleback aus]

i have seen many blueys in rabbit burrows when im hunting i have seen some big blueys i think they must eat young rabbits abd steal there burrows i know they eat the rabbits because i have seen bluey pooo with fur and bones.