Crushed Walnut Shell Substrate?

fire_kat · #1 (**permalink**) 01-02-2007, 06:47 AM

Does anyone use Crushed Walnut Shell Substrate for beardies?
My vet suggested this for when my beardie is old enough to have something other than papertowels as his substrate.
I have never used it for a beardie,but he says it is easier passed through the system if ingested then sand would be.Anyone confirm/dispute this with personal experience?He is currently 9 months old and I was thinking of swapping over at around 1 year

Thanks in advance

VenomMike · #2 (**permalink**) 01-02-2007, 07:34 AM

There is no reason to believe that walnut shell will pass through the GI any easier then sand.

Crushed walnut has been shown many times to cause impaction, (but hey most substrates have), I don't use the walnut bedding any more not because of an impaction risk but because it is bad for growing mould.

Sponger05 · #3 (**permalink**) 01-02-2007, 08:13 AM

I used crushed walnut shells and have seen no problem with them. I have no mould issue and never have had one. Walnut shells don't stick to the greens, unlike sand.

I have also heard and been told that they are safe and can pass through very easily. Maybe I was told false information.

hope that helped at least a little.

VenomMike · #4 (**permalink**) 01-02-2007, 08:42 AM

You can do a quick google for "crushed walnut shells impaction" to see what the general opinion of bearded dragon breeders and keepers is on using that as a substrate.

I have a set of class notes from the Tufts University DVM program that lists crushed walnut shells as a leading cause of impaction.

I, myself, have used the dreaded playsand with beardies for years without a problem so impaction is a little more complicated then "oops my reptile eats its substrate" I think metabolism, hydration, activity level and diet also play a role in the occurance of impaction.

Sponger05 · #5 (**permalink**) 01-02-2007, 08:59 AM

thanks.

Boa_Freak · #6 (**permalink**) 01-02-2007, 02:01 PM

I too highly discourage the use of crushed walnet shels. Have you ever helt how sharp they are. they are also quit large. a healthy beardie with a proper environment should be able to pass a little bit of substrate, but I can guarentee you that he would have a harder time passing the walnut shells than playsand and even if the walnut shells were pased, they could cause some intestinal damage due to their size and sharpness.

NicoleRussell · #7 (**permalink**) 01-02-2007, 02:08 PM

How large is your beardy and how old?
I would suggest using paper towels the first year...after that I always used vitasand and had no problems. I was leary about playsand because of the lung disorder issues ad the size of the individual grains. I would not use walnut shell substrate for any size or species of lizard.

Jatango · #8 (**permalink**) 01-02-2007, 02:08 PM

I'm not sure about reptiles, but I know keeping horses on crushed BLACK walnut shells can give them laminitis from absorbing toxins in the substrate. I generally stay away from any material that can make another animal sick through contact like that. I've never heard of playsand making any animal ill if they have contact with it.

I'm not sure if the walnut shells they sell are from black walnut, but it still makes me nervous enough to steer clear of the stuff.

NicoleRussell · #9 (**permalink**) 01-02-2007, 02:18 PM

Silica based playsand has been said to cause lung cancer in children who pay on it--hence all the warnings on the labels when you buy it. Being it causes problems in children who play on it, I can't help but think it causes problems to an animal who lives on it.
They sell 2 types of playsand that are silica free but you have to ask for them...many places do not sell them.
for some info on this:
SafeSand.com

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