Selecting the proper material for a cage substrate is very important to the general health of a captive reptile. The older trend of maintaining one's reptile on newspaper has given way to the modern approach of housing a captive reptile in a more attractive natural setting.  At one time the practice of using aspen or pine shavings was very popular. As new research and information began to show that these substances were potentially hazardous if ingested. The type of material that is used as a substrate largely depends on the species of reptile being housed on it and the size of the enclosure. We carry a huge range of substrates these include desert sand to repti bark to pebbles and everything in between.