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Zoo Med Excavator Clay Burrowing Substrate, 10 Pounds
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Purchase options and add-ons
- Holds its shape so tunnels won't collapse
- All natural, no dyes or chemicals
- Make your reptiles feel like they are at home" in their natural habitat"
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From the manufacturer
Excavator Clay Burrowing Substrate
A clay substrate that can be formed to your liking, while still allowing reptiles to dig tunnels and burrows just like they do in nature. Watch your reptiles perform natural digging behaviors; mold and create multi-level terraces and burrows in your reptile’s terrarium. Excavator holds its shape so burrows and tunnels won’t collapse. All Natural! No added dyes, colors, or chemicals.
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Product Description
Check out Zoo Meds new Excavatorâ„¢ Clay Burrowing Substrate. It allows reptiles to dig tunnels and burrows just like they do in nature. Watch your reptiles perform natural digging behaviors; mold and create multi-level terraces and burrows in your reptiles terrarium Make your reptiles feel like they are at home" in their natural habitat. Excavatorâ„¢ holds its shape so burrows and tunnels wont collapse All Natural. No added dyes colors or chemicals."
Product details
- Is Discontinued By Manufacturer : No
- Product Dimensions : 20 x 8 x 4 inches; 10.01 Pounds
- Item model number : XR10
- Date First Available : January 1, 2005
- Manufacturer : Zoo Med Laboratories
- ASIN : B000N5OM8S
- Best Sellers Rank: #29,551 in Pet Supplies (See Top 100 in Pet Supplies)
- #47 in Terrarium Substrate
- #58 in Aquarium Gravel
- #393 in Aquarium Décor
- Customer Reviews:
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Price | $24.89$24.89 | $16.12$16.12 | $49.99$49.99 | $39.99$39.99 | $24.99$24.99 | $42.96$42.96 |
Delivery | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 2 | — | Get it Apr 4 - 10 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 2 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 2 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 2 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
Value for money | 4.0 | 4.4 | 4.5 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.4 |
Easy to clean | 3.8 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.1 |
Easy to use | 4.2 | 4.6 | — | — | — | 4.1 |
Scent | — | 4.6 | — | 5.0 | 5.0 | — |
Sold By | R T S | Amazon.com | PayWut | Josh's Frogs | Josh's Frogs | Acentus eCommerce |
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the quality, appearance and ease of use of the pet supplies. For example, they mention it works well for making burrows, looks natural and is great for creating a natural landscape. Some are happy with ease of construction, and versatility. That said, opinions are mixed on messiness and value.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers are satisfied with the quality of the pet supplies. They mention that it works well for diggers, and is great for making burrows. Some say that it takes several days to dry, but is well worth the time and effort.
"I was hesitant about buying this, but it works really well...." Read more
"...mixture will not be able to form tall structures, But will hold Burrows extremely well and will be easier for reptiles to dig in...." Read more
"good stuff" Read more
"This is great for building caves and such. It dries hard so I don't feel it's in danger of falling in on my dragon...." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the appearance of the substrate. They mention that it looks very natural, and is solid as a rock. Some say that it works great for creating a natural landscape and a rocky desert appearance. Overall, customers are happy with the product's appearance and recommend it as s substrate for a naturally setup.
"The sand is really nice and would probably work well for larger reptiles . But it is advertised as safe for leopard geckos when it really isn’t ...." Read more
"I love this product! It is great for creating a natural landscape, lets your reptiles dig safely and can't be ingested easily...." Read more
"...Gives my tanks an awesome natural look without having to use loose sub-straight." Read more
"...It also mimics natural terrain for various desert species, where the ground is solid and dry...." Read more
Customers find the pet supplies easy to use. They mention it's simple, fun, and convenient. Some say it'll take days to dry, but it'd be easy to build arches and hideouts.
"Love it. Easy to thicken and prepare but I recommend you buy one bag more. One 10lb bag will spread along a 20 gallon but no bigger tank!...." Read more
"...how much water you used or you be stock waiting for days to dry,easy to build IF only IF your crafty 😆😂 other wise is a nightmare .I didn't like the..." Read more
"Messy but easy enough to use. Our beardie is happy so we’re happy 😊..." Read more
"...It wasn't very easy to use- your hands will get dirty. I don't think she will be able to burrow because of the firmness...." Read more
Customers find the pet supplies easy to assemble. They mention it's great fun to make, perfect for leopard geckos and bearded dragons. Customers also say it'll be fun to create a landscape for their pets and that their pets seem to enjoy exploring.
"...plus about 3 days to dry but Peepers is much more active and seems to enjoy exploring...." Read more
"I love excavator clay for several of my different reptile species. Fun to build and beardies love digging in their own in it...." Read more
"Great Product. Made a fun space for my sons bearded dragon...." Read more
"Easy to use and fun to work with! This clay provided the perfect look of the natural habitat I was going for." Read more
Customers like the versatility of the pet supplies. They mention that it's great for reptiles, perfect for reptilian diggers, and a naturalistic terrarium. It's also the best substrate for collared lizards and highly recommended for a home habitat. Customers also say the materials creates a wonderful environment for russian tortoises, leopard geckos, and bearde geckos.
"I am so happy with this. It turned out wonderful for my lizards it still has to dry but I know it’s going to turn out wonderful...." Read more
"This clay is wonderful for my beardie. I had to add a little more water than what the instructions advised...." Read more
"Fun to customize your tank" Read more
"...Highly recommended for a natural habitat." Read more
Customers are mixed about the messiness of the pet supplies. Some mention it's easy to clean and reusable, while others say that it'll get their hands dirty.
"...He loves his hideouts and sitting on top of them. It is so much easier to clean and less expensive...." Read more
"...It wasn't very easy to use- your hands will get dirty. I don't think she will be able to burrow because of the firmness...." Read more
"...I spot clean often and the clay stays very clean for the most part...." Read more
"Messy but easy enough to use. Our beardie is happy so we’re happy 😊..." Read more
Customers are mixed about the value of the pet supplies. Some mention it's a fantastic price, while others say it'll be a big waste of money and not worth the hassle.
"...This is also the best price I have found for the excavation clay. So thank you so much!" Read more
"...well enough for right now, but I am sad to say I am disappointed with the overall product...." Read more
"...It is so much easier to clean and less expensive. And you can reshape and remold the hideoute by just adding water to soften it up." Read more
"...I have to get it out asap and find another substrate asap. Waste of time, energy, and money. Might work for other animals...." Read more
Customers are dissatisfied with the durability of the pet supplies. They mention that it cracks and crumbles like no other, the bridges/arch ways would crumble, and the clay may crack as it shrinks. Some customers also report that the bag was punctured and the product didn't hold up.
"...While drying, the clay may crack as it shrinks, just re-wet the cracks and rub smooth...." Read more
"...It's really dusty and it cracks and crumbles. It stinks when it gets wet from misting...." Read more
"...It’s great quality and very durable." Read more
"...much more, it was a lot easier to work with; however, when it dried, it cracked and crumbled like no other...." Read more
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To heat from below
For reptiles that require heat from below, This can be achieved with a little creative land planning. The spot that has belly heat needs to be between 1/8th and 1/4th in thick for enough heat to penetrate. This actually works better than Repticarpet or tile as the heat is evenly distributed and retained for longer. In the attached pictures, the right half has heat on an "on/off" thermostat and is able to maintain floor heat at 88-92 Degrees at all times.
To use by itself
Carefully empty into enclosure, go slow to avoid dust. Wet clay just enough to form caverns and hills, I feel it works best when combined with Driftwood, Slate, Stone or Cork bark to create better climbing opportunities and help build up hills. While drying, the clay may crack as it shrinks, just re-wet the cracks and rub smooth. To Redecorate or fix crumbling, just soak the area with a reptile safe spray bottle, and reform.
To create a more naturalistic soil
Combine equal parts Excavator clay and organic topsoil and moisten. Be sure there are no Fertilizers, Natural or otherwise in the soil. This mixture will not be able to form tall structures, But will hold Burrows extremely well and will be easier for reptiles to dig in.
As with any Pet product PLEASE research thoroughly the needs of that specific animal before Purchasing.
Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2017
To heat from below
For reptiles that require heat from below, This can be achieved with a little creative land planning. The spot that has belly heat needs to be between 1/8th and 1/4th in thick for enough heat to penetrate. This actually works better than Repticarpet or tile as the heat is evenly distributed and retained for longer. In the attached pictures, the right half has heat on an "on/off" thermostat and is able to maintain floor heat at 88-92 Degrees at all times.
To use by itself
Carefully empty into enclosure, go slow to avoid dust. Wet clay just enough to form caverns and hills, I feel it works best when combined with Driftwood, Slate, Stone or Cork bark to create better climbing opportunities and help build up hills. While drying, the clay may crack as it shrinks, just re-wet the cracks and rub smooth. To Redecorate or fix crumbling, just soak the area with a reptile safe spray bottle, and reform.
To create a more naturalistic soil
Combine equal parts Excavator clay and organic topsoil and moisten. Be sure there are no Fertilizers, Natural or otherwise in the soil. This mixture will not be able to form tall structures, But will hold Burrows extremely well and will be easier for reptiles to dig in.
As with any Pet product PLEASE research thoroughly the needs of that specific animal before Purchasing.
Probably great for lizards and guys that can actually dig. Probably skip if you want your snake to burrow in it because it is very dense. Other than that. I like the look which is what I was really going for.
To the right is the clay while it was freshly wet from putting it in and in the corner is the clay hut. The left is Terra Sahara from biodude for her bioactive enclosure.
I'd say it's worth it
Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2023
Probably great for lizards and guys that can actually dig. Probably skip if you want your snake to burrow in it because it is very dense. Other than that. I like the look which is what I was really going for.
To the right is the clay while it was freshly wet from putting it in and in the corner is the clay hut. The left is Terra Sahara from biodude for her bioactive enclosure.
I'd say it's worth it
I first used a beginner kit to put a small hill in my bearded dragon's tank and watched her for a while to make sure she wasn't eating it. I seen her lick it out of curiosity a couple times, but not actually try to eat it. I waited a while to see if she had a healthy poop, as she took a few days to have one (sometimes poops more often and sometimes less often). She had a healthy bowel movement and a few more after that.
She dug into the small mound of clay hoping to make a cave until all the clay collapsed since there wasn't enough. I was satisfied that she was not eating the loose clay particles and so I bought her more.
She absolutely loves this stuff. Ever since adding it to her tank, she gets up on her own every morning and climbs all over her tank! It's made her so happy! She will sometimes sleep on the pile of clay I made for her, or she will bask during the day. She will dig into it a little. She will go back to the other side of the tank when she is too hot. She doesn't even want to poop in her tank now. She tries to climb out when she wants to poop so she doesn't get it dirty!
I'm happy to see her be more active now, because she was healthy with no problems but just wanted to lay still all day.
This is also the best price I have found for the excavation clay. So thank you so much!
Firstly 10lbs doesn't go very far. 10lbs would be ok for a 10gallon tank, maybe not super deep but there would be a little space to dig. I have an exo-terra terrarium that's 24" by 17" by 17" which needed 30lbs to get some landscaping. My suggestion would be to purchase at least 1lb per gallon tank you have and then if you want more digging space for your reptile(s) add an extra 10lb bag.
Secondly use a mister or spray bottle to add water to this so you can mold it. It is very easy to add too much water which turns it into a mud swamp and it takes forever to dry out.
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