Zoo Med Excavator Clay Burrowing Reptile Substrate, 10-lb bag

I LOVE this stuff! I've used it in multiple leopard gecko terrariums and it looks fantastic. First of all it dries hard, so you can provide a natural looking terrarium without the risk of impaction from sand. Plus you can use the clay to create so much enrichment as well as so many hides and basking spots, and if you want to remake your landscape, you just wet the sand again and create a new layout. Cleaning is a little more difficult compared to paper towels or something like that, but honestly the looks and enrichment are well it.

I put this on after reading their instructions and watching their company instructional videos. It all fell back off the walls. I called the companies customer service, they had no idea how to fix it and said instructions aren't really accurate and it works when it wants to type answer. Avoid this product unless you are doing something flat and have endless time to redo the project.

I have this in my bearded dragons tank, I’ve had it for about 9-10 months and it’s both of our favorites. He used to just have carpet and he didn’t like when his nails would get stuck in it so he’d avoid going to the ground unless he needed food or water. Now he runs around happier than anything I could possibly describe. Every time I redo the clay he runs around like crazy and seems super happy and explores a lot more than usual. I even have in one corner actual soil so I can grow live plants. When I first got this I made a cave. For it to be successful you cannot have your animal in the cage at all through the drying process. They will either pop the ballooon or break it in general. If you have an adult animal you’re gonna want a few bags. Think of art class in like 6th grade when we had to make clay pots and stuff, if you made it too thin they broke. So if you make too thin of a cave, a heavier animal WILL break it that’s just common sense lol. If you buy several bags you should be fine, I’d say 3-4 for a 40 breeder is perfect.

I wish I could add a picture, the app won't let me... This stuff is fabulous. It takes a little more moisture to really get it ready to mold into shape, but it is easy to change that: I made a slurry to get it to stick to a margarine tub and now I have a cool cave that is covered in this rocky looking clay that my gecko likes to climb in, on top of, and around in. It holds heat well from my CHE, and also fit really well in with the rest of my decor. I have my last layers of my base drying now, and my gecko is in there having a ball making it her own. I do have to get more bags to finish sealing tunnel edges, thank you chewy for carrying this!