{"product_id":"zoo-med-excavator-clay-burrowing-substrate-9kg-20lb-bag","title":"Zoo Med Excavator Clay Burrowing Substrate 9kg (20lb) Bag","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA substrate reptiles can actually dig through without the tunnel caving in.\u003c\/strong\u003e Zoo Med Excavator Clay Burrowing Substrate is an all-natural clay, sold here in the 9 kg (20 lb) bag, made with no added dyes, colours or chemicals. Mixed with water it becomes a firm, mouldable clay that holds its shape once it dries — letting burrowing reptiles dig genuine tunnels and multi-level terraces that stay intact, rather than the loose sand that collapses as fast as it's dug.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eKey features\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHolds its shape when dry\u003c\/strong\u003e — burrows and tunnels stay open instead of caving in, so a dug structure lasts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAll-natural\u003c\/strong\u003e — no added dyes, colours or chemicals.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMouldable\u003c\/strong\u003e — shape it into terraces, caves and slopes before it sets, and rewet to reshape later.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDoubles as a hide\u003c\/strong\u003e — a built structure can reduce how much separate decor you need to buy.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e9 kg (20 lb) bag\u003c\/strong\u003e — Zoo Med's larger of the two Excavator bag sizes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSpec\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSKU\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZM376\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBag size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e9 kg (20 lb)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eComposition\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNatural clay, no added dyes, colours or chemicals\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePreparation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMix with water to a firm, mouldable consistency\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCoverage per bag\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot published by Zoo Med — depends on how deep and how much of the enclosure floor is built up; see \"how much do I need?\" below\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow much do I need?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eZoo Med doesn't publish a coverage figure in litres or square centimetres for this clay, because how far a bag goes depends entirely on how deep you build and how much of the enclosure floor you cover — a shallow layer with a few burrow entries uses far less than a full multi-level terrace. As a general approach, build the load-bearing structure first with the bulk of the bag, then top up thin layers as needed; leftover clay can be rewet and reused.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eSuitable for, and not suitable for\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuitable for burrowing desert and semi-arid species — bearded dragons, leopard geckos, uromastyx and similar — plus terrarium builds for hermit crabs and other burrowing invertebrates. Not suitable for permanently wet or humid enclosures: the clay loses its shape and structural strength when it stays wet, so it needs to be allowed to dry and cure before the animal goes in, and re-wet only briefly when reshaping. Not compatible with under-tank heaters, which can crack a dried structure unevenly.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eCare and maintenance\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eLet a newly built structure dry fully before introducing the animal — this can take a couple of days depending on humidity and structure thickness. Once nearly dry, a light sprinkle of extra dry substrate over the surface helps reduce cosmetic cracking. Spot-clean waste as normal; rewet and reshape the clay if a burrow needs rebuilding.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eGoes well with\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eWorks well layered over or mixed with sand, topsoil, coconut fibre or peat moss for a more natural desert profile, and pairs with a background hide or basking platform built into the design.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWarranty and delivery\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eCovered by your rights under Australian Consumer Law. Standard shipping applies.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ch4\u003eDoes it stay hard once dry, or does it crumble?\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt holds its shape once dry and is designed to support dug burrows and tunnels without collapsing, though it can develop cosmetic surface cracks — a light sprinkle of dry substrate over a nearly-dry structure helps reduce this.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eCan I reuse or reshape it?\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes — rewetting softens the clay again so you can reshape or rebuild a structure.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eIs it safe for a moist or humid terrarium?\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo — it's designed for burrowing desert and semi-arid species and loses its structural strength if kept consistently wet.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eCan I mix it with sand or other substrates?\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes, it's commonly layered with or mixed into sand, topsoil, coconut fibre or peat moss.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"ZooMed","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55293330194723,"sku":"ZM376","price":72.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/zoo-med-excavator-clay-burro-43875828367651.webp?v=1790237147","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/zoo-med-excavator-clay-burrowing-substrate-9kg-20lb-bag","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}