Species-Specific Substrates

Shopping for substrates might be confusing to you if you are new to owning a pet reptile.  There are so many products on the market it can be difficult to know which one is right for your type of reptile.  You can shop for species specific substrates for reptiles.  These products are meant for that particular reptile, which makes the decision a little easier to understand.
One important aspect of choosing the right substrate is that the substrates retain different levels of moisture.  Clay tends to hold more moisture than the desert substrates.  The drainage of these substrates also differs.  Both the moisture and drainage of the substrate can have a huge impact on your reptile.  Some can even have diseases like shell rot or respiratory diseases crop up if you use the wrong substrate.  Substrate is never about looks in the vivarium, but health of your reptile.

Grassy lawns are not suitable substrates for reptiles.  Tortoises do well on grassy areas so they can grow, but most other reptiles need to be able to burrow or dig in the substrate.  Calci sand is not good for tortoises and other desert reptiles.  It is prone to clumping, which can cause eye irritation.  Calci sand is very dehydrating to the reptiles so it is for special circumstances only.  Fibre based substrates are often dusty and can harm digestion especially for tortoises and turtles.  With tortoises the best option is a mix of loam compost where you provide a depth of 55mm of substrate.  Most turtles find this type of substrate best for their turtles.  A loam and sand combination can also be good for turtles and tortoises.

Komodos have a specific type of substrate that they can use as well.  A Komodo CaCO3 terrain is best.  This is calcium carbonate sand.  Bearded dragons, Uromastyxs, Monitor lizards, and other similar style pet reptiles can use the calcium carbonate sand. The sand allows the lizards to dig and burrow, but cuts down on the mite infestations that could occur.
Tarantulas may not be considered reptiles, but they are a popular pet that needs a terrarium.  Like reptiles tarantulas need a specific type of substrate to have a healthy and happy life.  Peat substrates for tarantulas work well.  They will hold moisture, but the peat can mould, have mites, or grow fungus.  You can microwave the substrate and reduce the problems.  Still, there are other products that work better for tarantulas.  Vermiculite is the best type of substrate when you are talking about tarantulas.  Mould, fungus, and mites do not tend to grow in this type of substrate.  It is made from mica and laminar minerals.  These natural minerals are not very good with breeding insects or disease.

Vermiculite is also clean, odourless and non toxic.  Some individuals use potting soil or coconut fibre to cut down on pests in their vivariums.  You can try these, but what is sold on this site like the vermiculite, sand, clay, and other substrates tends to be healthier for pet reptiles.