Substrate and impaction

[bighog85]

Hey all,

Yesterday I finally got my enclosure done enough to put my soil mix in for my sav. I was wondering though, do I need to worry about her eating some of it and becoming impacted while she is chasing roaches or crickets? It is just a topsoil/sand mix but I want to be careful. I have never had any problems with any of my other animals but this is my first monitor so I wanted some advice.

[infernalis]

Nothing to worry about, Chomper just spits the dirt back out.

[bighog85]

Ya I just fed her a mouse since that was all I had and she did that thing where they throw their heads sideways while they are swallowing it, and dug that sucker right into the dirt. She still swallowed it but she didn't seem to like the dirt much, lol. I would imagine that in the wild they swallow a fair amount so I am not too worried.

[allergenic]

I would imagine that in the wild they swallow a fair amount so I am not too worried.

Agreed. As long as the other parts of the husbandry are okay, it's fine.

[infernalis]

when this lizard does go poo, get ready for some of the most foul gross stuff you have ever had to clean up.