Hi all,
One of my few posts on this forum but I feel I need to comment on this thread to correct some of the information being presented.
HayleyChuck93 already knows me feelings towards the use of vermiculite as a substrate as we have already had a "discussion" on a Facebook page that she posed the same question. Unfortunately she deleted the post and so no-one else can see my comments...
As a matter of transparency I do not endorse the company that is producing vermiculite nor have I received any financial gain from them for the following comments. I was approached by them to get my opinion on their product and its suitability for the use of it as a substrate for reptiles. I have been provided with a quantity of vermiculite substrate to trial for my own animals as I have now been doing for several weeks. As with any products that I am asked about I do extensive research into the safety, manufacture etc. before I make any comment.
In short I believe that in my experience so far and with the information that I have been provided vermiculite is actually a very good, very safe substrate!
To correct some of the information posted:
1. Vermiculite is not toxic if ingested. In fact it has been used in the veterinary and agricultural industries for years. It is used a carrier for medicinal applications and is fed to livestock. There are no reported toxicities in those species. While there is no data for reptiles species given the simplicity of their gut anatomy compared to that of cows, sheep etc. I would be more than comfortable suggesting it is safe in reptiles. Basically if a cow's stomach cannot break it down than a snake's is unlikely to!
2. Vermiculite does not swell with heat once it has been initially heat treated. Vermiculite is a mineral substance that is a by-product of the mining industry such as copper mining. When it comes out of the ground if is in flakes much like "fish food" flakes. It is heated and expands to its size that we see it being sold as. The heating process requires temperatures in the range of 600 degrees I believe ie. a lot hotter than it will ever get in a reptile enclosure!
3. Asbestos... In the 1970s and 1980's some vermiculite that was mined by the 3M company in the USA contained asbestos and was sold to US customers. The product mined here in Australia is certified asbestos-free and the mine site(s) are tested every 3 months. The testing is done by an independent company. I have been provided with the latest report that indicates it asbestos free. I also point out that vermiculite is used in many, many products (eg. vegetable and flower growing, grape and wine production, hydroponics, insulation, plasterboard, brake linings etc)... basically you are all being exposed to it pretty much all the time... given what we know about asbestos I am quite sure the companies that manufacture it and sell it will be making 100% sure there is no asbestos in it.
4. "Vermiculite sucks moisture out of the air".... I would dispute that. Why? Because I have tested it myself. This was one of the concerns I had regarding the product but I have now tested it in my own collection. I have measured the humidity using an Exo-Terra digital hygrometer in an enclosure housing a Central Bearded Dragon that was housed on Breeders Choice Cat litter. The temperature at the location I measured it was 28 degrees. The humidity read 41%. I replaced the cat litter with newspaper and did the same measurement several hours later. The humidity read... 41%. I then replaced the newspaper with vermiculite substrate taken directly from an unopened bag and measured the humidity again several hours later. It was reading.... 40%! That is a 1% drop in humdity. Just to be sure I left it overnight and check again. It was still sitting at 40%. The humidity in the room during the whole testing ranged from 44-46% humidity. It would appear on this small test basis that vermiculite does not remove water from the air.
Some other comments and observations I have noted while using/testing the product:
1. It is not messy at all. Once in the enclosure the product actually packs down quite tightly and the dragons I have had on it can walk around on it with no issues.
2. The product I have been supplied and that will be/is commercially available is of a smaller grade than that in the photos posted.
3. Any faecal/urate material deposited on it gets covered in the vermiculite and dried out quite quickly. It is then easily picked up and removed during spot cleaning.
4. I have noticed less smell in the enclosures.
5. It is not dusty. All particles under 2.5mm are removed in the manufacturing process. When pouring it out of the bags there is noticeably no dust.
6. Given its insulative properties it seems ideal for keeping heat in an enclosure and it is less of a fire risk should a heat lamp etc fall onto the surface of it.
7. It can be disposed of easily onto the garden or in the household rubbish.
8. It is using a by-product of the mining industy.
9. It looks good!
The choice of what substrate to use is a personal one and is one that often causes MUCH debate!!!
I encourage anyone to always research PROPERLY and from APPROPRIATE sources when making any decisions that could potentially affect the health of their animals.
In nutshell though I have found vermiculite an excellent substrate and have no hesitation recommending it to my clients.
Regards,
Dr. Shane Simpson
Karingal Veterinary Hospital
