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Best Reptile Sand/Gravel

Updated August 2023
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Zoo Med Vita-Sand
Zoo Med
Vita-Sand
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Calcium-fortified
Bottom Line

Vita-Sand is an excellent substrate for desert dwelling lizards and tortoises, promotes burrowing behavior, and provides some additional health benefits if granules are consumed here and there.

Pros

Available in Gobi Gold and Outback Orange colors. Fortified with vitamins, calcium, and beta carotene. Ultra-fine composition. All-natural sand. No artificial colors. Healthy and safe sand substrate.

Cons

It would be convenient if Vita-Sand was available in sizes larger or smaller than 10 pounds.

Best Bang for the Buck
Zilla Desert Blend - Ground English Walnut Shells
Zilla
Desert Blend - Ground English Walnut Shells
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All-natural Litter
Bottom Line

Nice smelling substrate that clumps just like kitty litter, this walnut-based substrate is an excellent alternative to desert sand for species like bearded dragons, uromastyx, or monitors.

Pros

Available in 5-quart bags. All-natural litter. Made with ground English walnut shells. Desert-like sand alternative. Conducts heat especially well. Affordable. Will not scratch glass, as natural sand does.

Cons

If your reptile is prone to eating its substrate, it may hurt as it passes through the system.

Exo Terra Red Desert Sand
Exo Terra
Red Desert Sand
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Real Desert Sand
Bottom Line

There’s nothing quite like the Martian appearance of real red desert sand in your terrarium, and digging snakes, lizards, and tortoises genuinely appreciate burrowing though soft, natural, and authentic desert sand.

Pros

Real, 100% natural red desert sand. Perfectly uniform sandy texture. No artificial coloring. Promotes burrowing. Great substrate for supporting eggs.

Cons

The single tradeoff of using pure desert sand is the lack of beneficial mineral or vitamin additives.

Exo Terra Large Turtle Pebbles
Exo Terra
Large Turtle Pebbles
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Natural River Pebbles
Bottom Line

A gorgeous and efficient way to prevent bottom-dwelling and foraging aquatic reptiles from accidentally consuming smaller substrates, these large and naturally formed river pebbles arrive in a wide range of pretty colors and patterns. What will you get?

Pros

Naturally formed smooth river pebbles. Large and chunky pebbles make a convincing riverbed. Easy to disinfect, clean, and maintain. Aquatic turtles won’t consume the chunky pebbles.

Cons

Unfortunately, uneaten food may slip between the space between these larger river rocks.

Exo Terra Brown Riverbed Sand
Exo Terra
Brown Riverbed Sand
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Fine Natural Sand
Bottom Line

An incredibly versatile, soft, and all-natural sand substrate that works just as well to create aquatic environments for turtles and frogs as it does for building desert biomes for lizards and tortoises.

Pros

100% natural brown South African sand. Great for wet or dry terrariums. Fine texture is soothing on a reptile’s skin. Easily passed if mistakenly ingested. Promotes digging behavior.

Cons

It would be convenient if this pricier sandy substrate was available in alternate sizes.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

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Reptiles have a long list of essential needs that include heat, humidity, and a nutritionally complete diet. Selecting the right sand or gravel substrate for your cold blooded pet is just as important. You’ll need to incorporate a sand or gravel substrate that best handles your reptile’s waste, helps to keep them clean, and crafts a suitable environment that the animal feels comfortable living in. Gravel substrates are best for aquatic reptiles like turtles, while sand substrates work especially well for a range of desert dwellers, including tortoises, skinks, and snakes. Whether you’re looking to assemble a tropical paradise, sun-blasted desert, or underwater paradise, we highly recommend researching which natural substrates are best cut out for your reptile.

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