How dirty is your bluey?

[Jacki]

I know this is a topic of controversy, but is it necessary to use substrate that they can burrow in...I mean, if you have lots of hides and were to use something such as linoleum(sp?) would that be a bad idea? I'm sick of all the dust that was in the coconut bark and now the carefresh.....Squirt and Checkers are always covered in dust with dust in their noses and it's getting on my nerves.....so I was trying to think of other options. Ideas??

[Tigergenesis]

I was tired of always changing substrate. That's why I went with the tile and only substrate in the hides.

For Phoebe, I probably won't even give her substrate (Softchips) in her hides. I'll probably go with just cloths.

[Marie]

I just use shelf paper. I add a peat moss hide when it's close to shedding time. For regular hides, I have pvc pipe and lots of old clothes. Not the most asthetically pleasing, but I'm a germ freak. It's cheap, easy to clean, and cuts back on the dust.

[zennygirl]

I know this is a topic of controversy, but is it necessary to use substrate that they can burrow in...I mean, if you have lots of hides and were to use something such as linoleum(sp?) would that be a bad idea? I'm sick of all the dust that was in the coconut bark and now the carefresh.....Squirt and Checkers are always covered in dust with dust in their noses and it's getting on my nerves.....so I was trying to think of other options. Ideas??

i don't think so jacki. pup doesn't have burrowing substrate, i use reptibark. and i just have lots of fake plants and hides strewn about so that he can hide when he wants. i didn't like the idea of him burrowed down in some fluffy matter 24 hours a day not only for my benefit but i really don't think that's that natural of a situation. in the wild i think they are burrowing into nearby grasses and shrubs or leaf matter so i think having lots of fake plants and logs replicates that a little better. also i feel like it's made him less shy. i think he feels more secure being in his cage and uncovered now that he's exposed a little more becuase he doesn't always hide. that's just my two cents though.

[Jacki]

Thanks for ya'lls input! I think i'm going to try linoleum or something of that sort.

[Tigergenesis]

I would imagine that as long as the hides are low enough to provide security (I believe they like to feel the top and maybe the sides of the hide against their body) that you wouldn't need to provide a burrowing substrate.

Like you Zen, I too have my suspicions about how 'natural' it is for them to be buried in something like we try to offer.

[Jacki]

My main concern is the dust.....I realize that they sneeze to get it out but Squirt always has dust caked in his nose b/c he's under his substrate....it just doesn't seem that that could be healthy to be exposed to the dust 24/7..

[Zach]

I don't think it's a huge deal -- I know a lot of people use astroturf -- might want to give that a try.

Just remember though that BTS are burrowers by nature -- their natural environment is walking around on the forest floor digging and shoving dirt around. I hate to take away something that is so natural to them, but I also agree with Zen about how they do seem to become tame quicker if they are "forced" if you will, to be out and about more.

[Lisa]

I think the main thing you need to provide is hides, shelter/cover and variety in what they walk on which they would get when they're out.

I think a tank with lino or paper or tile etc but with lots of hidey spaces or things to climb over or under is better than a tank that's just full of 3 or 4 inches of substrate and no accessories other than a basking rock.

Looks better too !

[Jenn]

I use less substrate since I put all the leaves and some extra hides in there. But there is still enough for them to make a pile to burrow in and a lot in their main hide. Frankie likes to burrow in the leaves or her hide but Baylee likes to shove the stuff around and sleep in a bigger pile of it under his biggest leaf bush.

[Dragontears]

I'm late to this as I've been out of town, but I put every 6 months. That isn't entirely true though...I probably thoroughly clean each tank about every 4 months. I spot clean on a regular basis though.

[Reptile Rascals]

I actually change it more than once a week. I have changed my substrate with all my bluey's to blankets so they get washed every 3-4 days. a little more laundry but a lot less headaches on my part. It gives them lots of hiding area as they go anywhere under the blanket to hide and it also makes it so much easier to feed them. When they were on aspen I had to remove them or put newsprint over the substrate to feed them and still didn't always work. I like this way much better and it was great for when I had babies as well because the babies hid in the blanket from mom.