Whats with all this

[monitorkeeper]

Ive noticed with a lot of people keeping monitor, they keep them on sawdust. Is this a good sub to use, what benafits to using this is they. To me just looking like a expensive rabbit hutch.

[brian]

Sawdust is not a good substrate to use it is to fine in a hot viv .The reptile is to low down on to it and will breath it in and will/may start to block air ways after a while..........

[Athravan]

You can get dust free "shavings" which is a bit finer than aspen.. but actual sawdust.. well the word "dust" is the bad bit really... If you empty out a bag of sawdust in front of you and try to breathe, you get a mouthful of dust particles, and it's awful.

Imagine a reptile having to live in an enclosed space with that!

I use wood shavings (dust free) for snakes... don't think i'd use them for lizards though, and never heard of anyone doing it.

[monitorlady]

I use `shavings` as a base substrate for the purpose of absorbing slopped water when my monitor climbs out of it`s water bowl. I add a few inches of large grade bark on top for him to dig in. It`s probably not ideal because it does get mixed together when he digs to the bottom, but in the past I have had a vivarium rot in no time at all due to constant water spillages. I did think of using a butyl liner but am worried sharp claws will rip it to shreds. Any other ideas very welcome.