Actually, the "sand" I was refering to is purely calcium carbonate,
magnesium carbonate, aluminum oxide, and a little salt (sodium chloride) -
plus some trace strontium oxide. It is produced artificially and is used as
a substrate in saltwater aquariums. Now if I'm not mistaken, stomach acid is
hydrochloric acid, even in reptiles (I majored in biology but never studied
herpetology). In that case I would assume the acid would neutralize some of
the "sand" since it really is nothing more than calcium. I don't know. In
any case, even if the sand was constantly being eaten and neutralized in the
gut, the constant antacid action can't be beneficial.
Thanks for the help anyway. I'm sticking with bed-a-beast for now. I find it
in their waste but it looks to be okay. I'll see what the vet has to say
when I go in for my spider gecko.
Jupiter
Come and see my Reef:
http://members.home.net/jupiter.from.space/
----- Original Message -----
From: "Catriona Lindsay" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Sunday, February 11, 2001 3:12 AM
Subject: Re: [Gecko] Is Bed-A-Beast bad?
> >eating a lot
> >more of the sand in the process, although it SHOULD be digestable.
> Actually the sand is not digestible. We have seen quite a few animals with
> sand blockages when kept on Calcisand. I know the label says it is
> digestible, but it contains diatomaceous earth.
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