10/07/2026
https://www.facebook.com/share/18xgmmHHsJ/
"Substrates cause impaction"
It's a statement that's been repeated throughout the reptile hobby for decades. But is it really true?
When many reptile species first became popular in captivity, our understanding of their husbandry was still developing. Since then, we've learned an enormous amount about the importance of appropriate UVB, correct heating and thermal gradients, balanced supplementation, hydration, nutrition, enclosure design and reducing unnecessary stress.
We now know that these factors all play a vital role in maintaining a healthy digestive system.
A healthy reptile, kept with appropriate UVB where required, correct temperatures, suitable supplementation, good hydration, proper nutrition and an environment that allows it to thrive, is well equipped to pass the small amounts of appropriate substrate that may be accidentally ingested during normal feeding or exploration.
In many cases, impaction is a symptom of an underlying husbandry issue, rather than the substrate itself.
Of course, this doesn't mean every substrate is suitable for every species, life stage or enclosure. Choosing the right substrate and using it correctly will always be an essential part of responsible reptile keeping.
As our understanding of reptile care continues to improve, perhaps it's time to move beyond the idea that substrate alone is to blame.
What's your view? Do you think substrates have been unfairly blamed over the years, or do you see it differently? We'd love to hear your thoughts below, and if you found this useful, share it with another reptile keeper.
