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infernalis
10-06-12, 05:26 PM
Stirred in some play sand.....

http://www.varanid.us/dirt/source.jpg

http://www.varanid.us/dirt/sand.jpg

ran the mix through a screen..

http://www.varanid.us/dirt/screen.jpg

filters out the junk..

http://www.varanid.us/dirt/sieve.jpg

gives a nice texture, light, breathable and easy to burrow.

http://www.varanid.us/dirt/hand.jpg

The seal of approval...

http://www.varanid.us/dirt/hole.jpg
infernalis
10-06-12, 05:29 PM
the last trip back to the woods..

http://www.varanid.us/dirt/buckets.jpg

all set up...

http://www.varanid.us/dirt/viewin.jpg

and a cool lizard face....

http://www.varanid.us/dirt/boo.jpg
Little Wise Owl
10-06-12, 05:38 PM
Looks great! You should post more pictures though. :P
Kingsnakechris
10-06-12, 05:53 PM
Very nice! One happy looking sav!
BarelyBreathing
10-06-12, 06:39 PM
Great thread.
infernalis
10-06-12, 08:45 PM
Looks great! You should post more pictures though. :P

OK... The first layer, too sandy for my liking, the second batch was more top soil less sand..

http://www.varanid.us/dirt/sandy.jpg

more...

http://www.varanid.us/dirt/foot.jpg

http://www.varanid.us/dirt/treebok.jpg

http://www.varanid.us/dirt/tripod.jpg

http://www.varanid.us/dirt/pod.jpg
AjaMichelle
10-06-12, 09:28 PM
Niiice! :)
Pirarucu
10-06-12, 09:58 PM
Looking phenomenal!
Aanayab1
10-06-12, 11:30 PM
the grass stuff looks amazing
Gatorhunter1231
10-06-12, 11:39 PM
looking good wayne.
Rogue628
10-07-12, 03:06 AM
Nice! I bet they're happy with it :D
Gungirl
10-07-12, 05:20 AM
I love it.. I am amazed that you haven't just given up having a living room and made that into your Sav room. :)
infernalis
10-07-12, 07:24 AM
The taller grass from the woods will die from the heat in about 2 weeks. I seeded the new dirt, so new grass will begin, but it too will die from the heat.

The roots however will knit together and bind the soil.

I need to get some tropical seed of grass species that tolerate 90 degrees all day long.
Pirarucu
10-07-12, 09:20 AM
More videos!
alessia55
10-07-12, 10:03 AM
That looks amazing, Wayne. What dedication- I love it!
Aanayab1
10-07-12, 08:49 PM
Infernalis, I know there are some graases that do well and look like tubleweed when it dies off but the name is escaping me. Look up xeric gardening, my mother had a garden in Florida that she kept it in. There are a lot of other cool plants too.
Zoo Nanny
10-08-12, 10:26 AM
I like the idea of the natural dirt. How do you sterilize it or is it needed?
infernalis
10-08-12, 02:11 PM
I like the idea of the natural dirt. How do you sterilize it or is it needed?

Never sterilize natural dirt... The enzymes & bacteria are beneficial.
Robyn@SYR
10-08-12, 09:02 PM
I would never want to go through the sifting process, but it sure does produce some nice soil : )
infernalis
10-08-12, 09:08 PM
I would never want to go through the sifting process, but it sure does produce some nice soil : )

It was not that bad Robyn.. a little manual labour never hurts anyone.
Pirarucu
10-08-12, 09:36 PM
You have the dirt right outside though, and only one cage. I suspect it would be harder in Robyn's position.
infernalis
10-08-12, 10:48 PM
More videos!

If you insist........

18ezf5QhRPE
Robyn@SYR
10-08-12, 11:17 PM
You have the dirt right outside though, and only one cage. I suspect it would be harder in Robyn's position.

We once had 50 tons of dirt delivered : )

And 30 tons a couple of times.
Zoo Nanny
10-09-12, 06:23 AM
Now that's an appetite!!! How often do monitors eat? Great video thank you for sharing.
infernalis
10-09-12, 07:22 AM
Now that's an appetite!!! How often do monitors eat? Great video thank you for sharing.

Every day, sometimes twice a day.... Bottomless pits.
Zoo Nanny
10-09-12, 08:48 AM
Wow I figured maybe 2-3 times per week. At that rate you must breed your own pinkies.
infernalis
10-09-12, 09:14 AM
Wow I figured maybe 2-3 times per week. At that rate you must breed your own pinkies.

Yes, I have 3 rat colonies.
Pirarucu
10-09-12, 10:56 AM
If you insist........I loved seeing him up against the glass trying to escape. More!
Terranaut
10-09-12, 11:42 AM
Great video Wayne. I can't imagine buying those pinkies at that volume. Bottomless pits. No kidding eh!
infernalis
10-09-12, 11:52 AM
Great video Wayne. I can't imagine buying those pinkies at that volume. Bottomless pits. No kidding eh!

When Rodent Pro used to have the 12 cent fuzzy "hot deal" I would order 600-800 at a time, now they want more than double the price, I can't do it anymore.
jarich
10-09-12, 11:26 PM
We once had 50 tons of dirt delivered : )

And 30 tons a couple of times.

That sounds like a longggggggg day
Robyn@SYR
10-09-12, 11:37 PM
Long day? Try long week : )
Little Wise Owl
10-09-12, 11:37 PM
I love how slender and fit they are. I've yet to see a Bosc this healthy looking in real life... ever.

http://www.varanid.us/dirt/tripod.jpg
infernalis
10-09-12, 11:41 PM
I love how slender and fit they are. I've yet to see a Bosc this healthy looking in real life... ever.

Thank you, if I ever slack and let them get fat, shoot me please. ;)

May be a good time to mention, these two require the same amount of caution as any other fit monitor. Cera got hold of my thumb again. (I just ordered 14" long hemostats) it's as if she intentionally aims for my hand, well this time she didn't let go for several seconds, it really hurt.