{"product_id":"australian-desert-sand","title":"Australian Desert Sand","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAustralian Desert Sand for Reptiles and Invertebrates\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eBring the outback floor into your enclosure. Our Australian Desert Sand is a natural arid substrate for desert reptiles and invertebrates, giving them a warm surface to bask on and a natural ground to dig, burrow and explore. Use it on its own, or mix it with soil to build a firm, burrow-holding desert floor like the ones in our own custom arid enclosures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailable in:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5kg and 10kg bags\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIdeal for:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCentral and pygmy bearded dragons\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKnob-tailed geckos and other desert geckos\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGillen’s monitors and other arid lizards\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDesert and burrowing scorpions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eArid bioactive enclosures and desert displays\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy use desert sand?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNatural and enriching:\u003c\/strong\u003e desert reptiles dig, burrow and bask on sand in the wild, and a natural surface encourages that behaviour.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHolds heat for basking:\u003c\/strong\u003e sand warms evenly under a basking lamp, giving a natural warm surface.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBuilds burrows:\u003c\/strong\u003e mixed with soil and lightly moistened, it packs firm so burrows hold their shape.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe base for arid bioactive setups:\u003c\/strong\u003e it’s the main ingredient in our own Arid Substrate Mix.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow much do I need?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFor a 3–5cm layer, a 5kg bag suits smaller enclosures and topping up, while a 10kg bag suits larger enclosures. Burrowing species need much deeper substrate (8–15cm), so plan for several bags or use our Arid Substrate Mix.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow to use it\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFor a basking floor,\u003c\/strong\u003e spread a layer across the enclosure and keep it dry.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFor burrowers,\u003c\/strong\u003e mix the sand with soil or coco coir (around 60–75% sand), moisten the bottom layer and pack it down firmly so tunnels hold.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpot-clean regularly\u003c\/strong\u003e with a sand sieve, and top up as needed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSafe feeding tip:\u003c\/strong\u003e feed insects from a dish or with tongs, so your animal doesn’t swallow sand along with its food.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDesert sand FAQ\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs sand safe for bearded dragons?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSand is widely used for bearded dragons, especially mixed with soil. Feed from a dish or with tongs and keep your dragon healthy, well hydrated and correctly heated, so it can digest properly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat’s the difference between desert sand and your Arid Substrate Mix?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDesert sand is pure sand. Our Arid Substrate Mix combines sand with coco coir, bark, charcoal and LECA, so it holds burrows, supports plants and is ready to use as a bioactive substrate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I use desert sand in a bioactive enclosure?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. Mix it with soil and organic matter, then add dry-tolerant isopods such as powder blues.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePairs well with:\u003c\/strong\u003e Arid Substrate Mix, Stainless Steel Sand Sieve, Bearded Dragon Enclosure Starter Kit, Powder Blue Isopods (Porcellionides pruinosus), Knob Tailed Gecko (Nephrurus levis levis).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eShipped Australia-wide from Surry Hills, Sydney.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Biota Studio","offers":[{"title":"5kg","offer_id":52862057545959,"sku":"Fine Desert Sand-1","price":19.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"10kg","offer_id":52862057578727,"sku":"Fine Desert Sand-2","price":29.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0810\/5014\/0903\/files\/ZM127.jpg?v=1792209662","url":"https:\/\/www.biotastudio.com.au\/products\/australian-desert-sand","provider":"Biota Studio","version":"1.0","type":"link"}