BLUE TONGUE SKINKS

which

I prefer none of what you listed. I use Carefresh or Aspen shavings. But if I had to choose from the three you listed, I would go with paper towels.

Also, have you looked at the caresheet? It covers some of the recommended substrates as well as other basic husbandry skills blueys require.

I agree with Brad...none of the above, unless you get a baby...then you can use papertowels for the first few months...?

Other then that, carefresh or aspen are best. in my opinion..though there are other choices as well.

Why do you make a poll for every question? By doing a poll you are only giving us your choices. Just ask the question you will get a better response.

Aspen.

Aspen (the one that looks like flakes, not slivers) or CareFresh. However, if you happen to live in Antarctica and cannot get these, use paper towels, shred some to provide burrowing material. Sand and dirt can cause impaction (possible death) and just aren't good substrates, hard to clean and barely absorbent. Go look through a pet store, find ASPEN (Pine and Cedar are bad, anything that doesn't say what it is is likely bad)

if you choose aspen, get shaved not shredded,

Is shredded that bad?

Kaytee brand works well for me...it is in the "rodent" section...I like to call it the "soft, furry animal" section.

jasjmm27 wrote:Other then that, carefresh or aspen are best. in my opinion..though there are other choices as well.

I am sure there are other choices that are just as good. I have just personally had experience with both aspen and carefresh. When my collection was small, i went with Carefresh, but the local feed store has huge bags of shaved aspen for $13, so I just switched to it. I do like the smell better than the carefresh, but tha tis about the only difference I have noticed so far.

hey guys i forget, what's so bad about pine shavings? even untreated...

Pine has oils dangerous to the skink. No pine please.

Shredded aspen is pointy and sharp little pieces. Shaved is broad and flat ... not pointy and sharp. Shredded can find it's way into places it shouldn't be on your poor skink.

Never Ever sand if you can help it! Impaction, messy, horrible stuff.

I was so glad do dump Chuff's when I first got him!
Paper towels are great for treatiing a sick skink or raising a small baby. . .

but I go with Aspen shavings, (somewhat messy though) and Carefresh.

I do agree, its probably wiser to just ask the question rathr than a poll though! You'll get broader answers and more willing help from people.

I like Softchips -- it's the coconut husk type substrates.

Acutally can I use newspaper?

taekwonboys wrote:Acutally can I use newspaper?

My opinion is no. The ink never dries and leaves your skink's feet black. Shredded newspaper is fine temporarily...

The ink also has a strong smell; especially when confined in a closed terrarium.

I've used newspaper with good success for many herps.

Don't use the color sections.

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

Hockeyrulz48 wrote:Is shredded that bad?

I think not,but some dont like the fact that little bits MIGHT get into the eyes/ears/nose areas, I just keep a close watch and remove any bits that get in his eyes (one or two bits in six months)

Zach wrote: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.