Reptile Sand Scoopers

If you have ever owned a cat you know how helpful it can be to purchase a “pooper scooper” that will sift the clay litter and find the large clumps of kitty droppings.  It makes cleaning the litter and using it for a few more days a lot easier on you.  Reptile stores like ours have reptile sand scoopers.  The sand scooper will work in the same manner as the cat scooper.  The only difference is the size of the holes the scooper has.

As you know sand is very fine.  It will easily fall through the holes, yet leaving the droppings behind.  The sand scooper for reptiles has very fine holes that are small enough for sand, but not the tiny excrement your reptile leaves behind.  You can even leave your snake in the terrarium as you spot clean it.  The basket on the scooper can move 90 degrees to get into the corners and along the edges of the terrarium.
Zoo Med is just one manufacturer of the reptile sand scoopers.  They have a plastic handle with metal mesh construction.  The metal holds up well to the many uses the tool will see.  The handle is a nice comfortable grip.  Any fine substrate you have in the tank will not be a problem.

However, rocks, wood or other large substrates will not be as easy.  For these different substrates you would need a different scooper.  Those can be found at pet stores, like ours as well.  The reptile sand scooper is usually 10 and a half inches in length helping you reach all areas of the terrarium.
To use the reptile sand scooper it is best to remove any heating rocks, hides, or other reptile decorations sitting on the bottom.  You can then work your way from one side of the terrarium to the other.  You can leave your reptile in the terrarium, moving them to the other side once it has been cleaned.  For this you might require the reptile hooks or tongs.  They can help you handle your pet without injury.

Once they are settled into the other side you can begin to work through the sand.  The reptile sand scooper can be used every few days or each week.  Then after a month you will want to remove all the sand, your pet and everything else to provide a thorough tank cleaning.  In the meantime the reptile sand scooper will help keep the tank fresh and looking spectacular.
The reptile sand scooper is an essential tool you should have as part of your vivarium and pet reptile accessories.  The tool makes things go easier and with simplicity.  There are other designs beside the metal scooper available.  You can also find completely plastic scoopers.  These are less durable as you use them. Eventually the plastic will become tired, but for the inexpensive price they are certainly going to give you your money’s worth.  So the next time you clean your reptile cage and reuse the sand use the reptile sand scooper.