One of the most important aspects of caring for a bearded dragon is to use a safe, non-toxic, low-risk substrate in their tank or terrarium. Substrates, also called “bedding, ” are put on the floor of your dragon’s enclosure. There are several kinds of substrate, however, which can make choosing one a bit difficult.
To help you choose wisely, below, you’ll find eight of the best substrates, with our reviews and top picks. You’ll also find our handy buyer’s guide to make the choice even easier!
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024
The 8 Best Bearded Dragon Substrates
1. Zilla Ground Walnut Shell Reptile Bedding – Best Overall
Package Size:
5 quarts
All Natural?:
Yes
Eco-Friendly?:
Yes
Dust-free?:
Yes
Our pick for the best overall substrate is Zilla’s Ground English Walnut Shell Reptile Bedding because it replicates the natural desert habitat quite well. This substrate also allows your adult beardie to dig or burrow and conducts heat well.
Made from English walnut shells, Zilla won’t scratch the glass in your beardie’s tank and won’t scratch your pet, either. It’s made in the United States and will keep your bearded dragon comfortable and warm year-round. There is a small risk of impaction and gastrointestinal issues with this product, however, so monitoring your beardie closely when they eat is recommended.
All-natural
Won’t scratch glass
Promotes burrowing
Made in USA
Potential for impaction if swallowed
Potential for GI damage if swallowed
2. Zoo Med Vita-Sand Vitamin-Fortified Substrate – Best Value
Package Size:
10 pounds
All Natural?:
Yes
Eco-Friendly?:
Yes
Dust-free?:
No
If you’re looking for a bearded dragon substrate that’s considered the best for the money, you can’t go wrong with the Zoo Med Vita-Sand All Natural Vitamin-Fortified Calcium Carbonate Substrate. You get a 10-pound bag for an affordable price that provides a comfortable material for your bearded dragon.
First, this substrate is all-natural, which is always a plus. It’s fortified with vitamins, calcium, and beta-carotene. What it doesn’t contain is just as important: fat-soluble vitamins, which can be toxic to your beardie. You won’t find artificial colors in this substrate, either.
One cause for concern that you should note is that if your bearded dragon swallows significant amounts of this substrate, it could cause impaction or GI issues. However, with its extra-fine texture, Zoo Med seems to have solved this issue.
All-natural
Vitamin fortified
No fat-soluble vitamins
Ultra-fine texture
Increases calcium delivery
3. Zoo Med Excavator Clay Burrowing Reptile Substrate – Premium Choice
Package Size:
5 pounds
All Natural?:
Yes
Eco-Friendly?:
Yes
Dust-free?:
Yes
Bearded dragons love burrowing, hiding in caves, and digging under rocks. Zoo Med Excavator Clay Burrowing Reptile Substrate allows your pet to do exactly that, as it can be easily molded into tunnels, burrows, and other shapes. Once molded, this substrate stays in place, giving your beardie many places to explore and relax.
This superb substrate is all-natural and has no dyes or other chemicals. It also encourages burrowing and digging, which your beardie needs to stay healthy. More than that, it mimics your pet’s natural surroundings, which can help them stay calm. Zoo Med is made in the USA and fun for you as a beardie parent since you can make a habitat for them with your hands!
One drawback is that it can’t be used over your bearded dragon’s tank heater. It could become too hot for your pet, so you need to be aware of where you place it in their tank.
Mimics natural surroundings
Easy to use
Promotes burrowing
Give our beardie a place to relax
Made in USA
Can get too hot over a heater
4. Exo Terra Desert Sand Terrarium Reptile Substrate
Package Size:
10 pounds
All Natural?:
Yes
Eco-Friendly?:
Yes
Dust-free?:
No
There are some concerns with using sand for bearded dragons because, if swallowed, it can cause your pet gastrointestinal issues and blockages. To deal with that, Exo Terra Desert Sand Terrarium Reptile Substrate is sifted, providing a homogenous grain size and removing any impurities from the sand.
What we like about this substrate is that it recreates the natural, reddish color of a bearded dragon’s natural habitat and doesn’t use any dyes to do it. It’s all-natural desert sand, which they can burrow into and will provide excellent heat conduction. You should also note that Exo Terra is recommended for egg-laying.
Real red desert sand
Homogenous-sized granules
Promotes burrowing and digging
Conducts heat well
No dyes or chemicals added
5. Zoo Med Eco Earth Coconut Fiber Reptile Substrate
Package Size:
3 Bricks (21 to 23 liters of substrate)
All Natural?:
Yes
Eco-Friendly?:
Yes
Dust-free?:
Yes
Another excellent substrate from Zoo Med is the Eco Earth Compressed Coconut Fiber Expandable Reptile Substrate. It’s easy to transport since it’s dried and compacted. Even better, it’s 100% recyclable. You can compost it or use it in your plants after your bearded dragon is done with it.
It’s made from compressed coconut husks and fiber and can be used dry or damp to either increase or decrease humidity in your pet’s tank. It recreates their natural environment while also absorbing odors by breaking them down into their basic substances.
All natural and recyclable
Absorbs odors
Increases or decreases humidity
Easy to handle
Not made in the USA
Small risk of injuries
6. CaribSea Reptile Calcium Substrate
Package Size:
Package Size: 20 pounds
All Natural?:
Yes
Eco-Friendly?:
Yes
Dust-free?:
Yes
CaribSea Reptile Calcium Substrate is perfect for desert-dwelling lizards like the bearded dragon as it conducts heat very well. More than that, this substrate contains calcium. It’s not meant to be eaten, but your pet will get a nutritional boost if it is. You should also note that some calcium substrates have a compaction risk, but this one is safe to ingest.
CaribSea’s gentle, round grains won’t harm your bearded dragon like other products can due to scratching them. It’s also free of dyes and dust-free, so you won’t inhale dust when using it. One caveat is that it might not be the best substrate for baby bearded dragons since there is still a tiny risk of impaction and GI issues.
Round grains won’t scratch
Contain nutritionally available calcium
Dust-free
Conducts heat well
No artificial dyes
7. Exoticare Desert Blend Reptile Substrate
Package Size:
12 pounds
All Natural?:
Yes
Eco-Friendly?:
Yes
Dust-free?:
No
Most bearded dragon substrates are made with a single substance like coconut husks or sand. Exoticare Desert Blend Reptile Substrate, as the name suggests, is made with a blend of several substrate materials. It’s also pre-mixed, organic, and comes in a resealable bag. That might not seem like a big deal, but if you’ve ever had a bag of substrate spill all over your floor, you know it’s a valuable bonus. The bag stands on its own, too!
Exoticare claims the substrate is hand-mixed, but we’re not sure what extra value that adds. However, it’s 100% natural and allows you to have a bioactive beardie tank, which can be a boon for their health. The one drawback is that it includes sand, which can lead to GI tract and impaction issues for your bearded dragon.
A mix of several substrates
Organic
Bioactive
Resealable, standing bag
May present an impaction risk
Rather expensive
8. Exo Terra Sand Mat Desert Terrarium Reptile Substrate
Package Size:
Made for 40-gallon tanks
All Natural?:
No
Eco-Friendly?:
No
Dust-free?:
Yes
The Exo Terra Sand Mat is an unusual substrate in that it comes in a rolled mat that you unroll and place on the floor of your bearded dragon’s tank. It’s made for a 40-gallon tank. Exo Terra’s substrate mat is also easy to remove and clean.
One of the biggest pros of this product is that, since the substrate is glued to the mat, your beardie can’t accidentally swallow it. This reduces the risk of GI issues and impaction considerably. However, there was no note on the packaging about the adhesives used and how long they would adhere to the mat. Also, your bearded dragon wont be able to burrow into this substrate.
Simple to set up
Easy to remove and clean
Can’t be accidentally swallowed
Impedes digging and burrowing
No data on durability
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Substrate For Your Bearded Dragon
It might not seem that difficult to buy a substrate for your bearded dragon’s tank or terrarium. However, there are several brands, and some of them are reported to be bad choices for your pet. Below are a few solid tips on what to buy and what to avoid.
Image Credit: Sara Stanojevic, Shutterstock
What To Look for in a Bearded Dragon Substrate
Substrates That Simulate a Bearded Dragon’s Natural Environment.
Using a substrate that mimics the rocks and stones they encounter in the wild is ideal. This will provide a comfortable setting that allows your beardie to thrive.
A substrate That Retains Moisture and Heat
Both moisture and heat are critical to the well-being of your bearded dragon. You want a substrate that will keep the moisture and heat levels optimum.
A Substrate That’s Easy to Clean
You’ll need to frequently clean your beardie’s enclosure, so you want a substrate that’s easy to clean, remove, and replace. The Exo Terra Sand Mat is a great choice.
Image Credit: Jumpstory
A Substrate That’s Not Easy to Swallow
One of the biggest health risks bearded dragons face in captivity is accidentally swallowing the substrate. If this occurs frequently enough, it could cause impaction or blockage in your pet’s gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which could be life-threatening.
A Substrate That’s All-Natural and Eco-Friendly
You’ll be using and throwing away a significant amount of substrate when you have a bearded dragon. Therefore, choosing one that’s all-natural, biodegradable, and eco-friendly is essential.
A Substrate That Doesn’t Produce Much Dust
Substrate dust can impact your bearded dragon’s lungs, irritate yours, or cause an allergic reaction. A substrate that’s dust-free or creates minimal dust is thus recommended.
Some Substrates to Possibly Avoid
Although you might find them in pet stores, the substrates on the following list should be avoided if possible. The reasons include the risk of impaction and GI issues, injuries to your bearded dragon, and the risk of harsh chemicals.
AstroTurf: This safe-looking material is known to snag on nails and cause injuries.
Calci-Sand: Impaction issues are a big risk with this substrate.
Plain Sand: Impaction issues and bacteria risk are the reasons to avoid this substrate. Both regular and silica sand are potential risks.
Wood shavings: The oils and chemicals often found in wood shavings, especially pine and cedar, are why you should give this substrate a pass.
Walnut shells: The abrasiveness of walnut shells can cause injuries to your bearded dragon if swallowed.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for excellent substrates for your beaded dragon buddy, our best overall choice, Zilla’s Ground English Walnut Shell Reptile Bedding, won’t scratch your pet and is all-natural. Our best value selection, Zoo Med Vita-Sand All Natural Vitamin-Fortified Calcium Carbonate Substrate, is vitamin-fortified and has an ultra-fine texture to prevent accidental impaction if ingested. Lastly, Zoo Med Excavator Clay Burrowing Reptile Substrate allows you to create an environment for your bearded dragon that mimics what they would have in the wild.
All the substrates for bearded dragons on today’s list are highly recommended and will help you create a fantastic living environment for your dragon. Best of luck choosing a substrate your beardie enjoys that keeps them healthy and happy for many years!
Featured Image Credit: Gatot Adri, Shutterstock
