Substrate Guide For Arid Reptiles | Bearded Dragons and Leopard Geckos

Good Morning, Reptilians! This week, we're doing another requested video all about substrate options for arid reptiles, like bearded dragons and leopard geckos.
Also, note: Remember this video is focused on arid species. So just because something is a "con" for a certain substrate, doesn't mean it would necessarily be a con for other species.

0:00 Intro
1:21 Paper Towel
2:23 Reptile Carpet
3:11 Sand Mat
3:47 Tile
4:58 Bioactive Substrates - Store Bought
7:31 Bioactive Substrates - Self Made
8:10 Excavator Clay
9:29 Coco Fiber/Coco Coir
10:37 Cypress Mulch
11:32 ReptiBark
12:31 Calcium Sand
13:58 Natural Sand
15:40 Crushed Walnut Shells
16:15 Outro
17:17 Shoutouts
17:45 Bloopers

Some of the things I mention(many of these are affiliate links, the prices are the same for you, but purchasing from the link supports the channel 😊):
Any Textured Ceramic or Slate Tile

Thanks for watching! :)

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💌 Want to send us something?
Elle O'Shea
PO Box 3061
Decatur, AL 35602

Curious about what I use in my tanks or what you need for your new setup? Check out my Amazon Store:

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What I Use To Film (nothing exciting here, but for those that are curious):
Fujifilm XT3 w/ 16-55mm lens:
Canon M50:
Microphone:
Shoe Mic For My Camera:
Ring Light:
Brick Background:

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Disclaimers:
Although I have a few reptiles, I am in no way a reptile expert. I just research a whole bunch and make videos. Please always do lots and lots of research before getting any pet! :)

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This just means that I receive a small percentage of your purchase, but don't worry, the prices are the same.

We're just spreading our love for animals. :)
Don't forget to subscribe! Elle uploads every single Sunday and Den uploads some Wednesdays. Come hang out with us and watch us talk about animal things... and watch our animals do animal stuff.

music: PayDay - Jason Farnham

#ReptileSubstrates #LooseSubstrates #LeopardGeckoSubstrates

[kevinleboeuf]

You’re informative videos are now a staple of my Sunday morning as was this one. Have a great day!

[James-emoq]

You making these bearded dragon videos is very helpful because I’m looking at getting one

[bionicnomad]

I just love your videos!! Fun to watch and very informative! And I love the relationship between you and your beardie ♥️I look forward to watching your videos every sunday

[courtniesminizoo]

Yess I needed this because I’m gonna be getting a leopard gecko and was trying to decide if I want to put him on paper towels or substrate

[ryanmcwilliams]

Hey @Elle’sReptiles, I actually just upgraded my beardies tank and made it half tile, half loose substrate. I ended up using a base layer of crushed walnut shells and a toplasyer of this dirt that’s sourced directly from the beardies habitat in Australia!

[stuckinthelazycorneragain]

Great video Elle, hope you’re having a nice weekend 💕. I use play sand and top soil for my bearded dragon. I love the enrichment it gives my bearded dragon and how it enables me to give her more branches, ledges and rocks for her to use in her enclosure. Right now she is currently with me at my summer house and is using a rabbit pen outside. So she has been getting natural sunlight, “foraging” for her salad and running around in the grass. She loves it and watching her is SO much fun.

[lisaconklin]

Thank you for this informative video. I love that you have your bearded dragon with you as you talk. I just love how they are so comfy. I'd rather wear a bearded dragon than the most expensive jewelry. 💯❤🦎🌞🦋

[taitcarrillo]

Excavator, peat moss, sand = bio active desert substrate that works very well in my experience

[christopherwykoff]

Love your videos! Definitely a big help with my baby beardie.

[plantingwithnat]

Beardies come from central Australia which is a sandy environment throughout the area. Therefore the natural sand is safe even if they digest the sand it will be expelled through feces. All beardies from Australia have digested sand throughout their lives.

[MuffinKat-veqe]

Thank you for sharing your experiences on arid substrates!

[margiewalker]

I love your videos. I don't have an animal that this applies to but I always watch all of your videos.

[davidphillips]

Good morning Elle, hope you're Sunday is amazing!! To bad you and you're hubby couldn't open a reptile museum, it would so awesome with all you're knowledge in Reptiles. I'd definitely come visit!!

[ronkaythekids]

Thank you for your content my beardie will be here in the morning 💙

[ndsD]

Excited for you to take part in Snake Discovery's competition!!

[tinashankle]

I like using fridge liner it's safe for my leopard gecko and comes in different colors. And super easy to clean up. I'm a very over Protective mommy. I do want to try a dig box for my little guy.

[anseinueseima]

I'm considering buying earthworms and isopods for cleanup crews. Will my bearded dragon eat them and potentially have stomach problems?

[chrissycovington]

Thank you! I just got a *surprise* dragon and poor baby has MBD and I’m sooo nervous as I set up a permanent home for him/her. Substrate is legit the thing that I am stressing, everything else I got!

[aronoiiel]

Tha k you elle! There just. Isnt a good win all for reptiles like beardies as far as substrate. I use tile becuae my apartment has horrendous temperature control. She is in a pvc enclosure with proper lighting and such but even then her temps dont always stay stable. So. That makes me to worried for bioactive but I CRAVE it. I want to her to have that enrichment. But is it worth her life being shortened if I mess it up? Its so hard to do what is right with all the overwhelming knowledge and variety. Alot of reprile keeping comes at personal experience so being a new keeper is. Alot heh. Appreciate your work and your positive attitude even when talking of horrific things like calci sand and walnut shells!

[lorenzolopez]

What about using a good bioactive substrate then thinly capping it with natural sand and some leaf litter for the clean up crew?