I'm considering purchasing a Sandfish Skink (Scincus scincus) and am wondering whether or not Excavator substrate would be good. Please don't warn me about impaction for using sand; these guys live in the desert.
No, that excavator stuff is great for animals that love to dig burrows, but sandfish are one of the few reptile species that really SHOULD be kept on loose sand (most desert species should not). They've evolved to live in sand dune environments, and swim through the sand (hence their name). So, use clean, dry play sand--you can get it from local hardware stores, it's made for children's sand boxes. The substrate should be 6 inches deep. Use a good UVB basking light, with a 100F basking spot. Cool side should be 80F during the day.
