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Zoo Med

Zoo Med Excavator Clay Burrowing Substrate, 10 Pounds

  • Based on 1,828 reviews
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Size: 10 pounds


Features

  • Holds its shape so tunnels won't collapse
  • All natural, no dyes or chemicals
  • Make your reptiles feel like they are at home" in their natural habitat"

Description

Check out Zoo Meds new Excavatorâ„¢ Clay Burrowing Substrate. It allows reptiles to dig tunnels and burrows just like they do in nature. Watch your reptiles perform natural digging behaviors; mold and create multi-level terraces and burrows in your reptiles terrarium Make your reptiles feel like they are at home" in their natural habitat. Excavatorâ„¢ holds its shape so burrows and tunnels wont collapse All Natural. No added dyes colors or chemicals."

Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 20 x 8 x 4 inches; 10.01 pounds


Item model number ‏ : ‎ XR10


Date First Available ‏ : ‎ January 1, 2005


Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ Zoo Med Laboratories


Best Sellers Rank: #9,241 in Pet Supplies (See Top 100 in Pet Supplies) #14 in Aquarium Gravel #20 in Terrarium Substrate #36 in Aquarium Décor


#14 in Aquarium Gravel:


#20 in Terrarium Substrate:


#36 in Aquarium Décor:


Customer Reviews: 4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars (1,828)


Item Weight: 9.99 pounds


Manufacturer: Zoo Med Laboratories


Item model number: XR10


Date First Available: January 1, 2005


Item Package Dimensions L x W x H: 14.48 x 9.02 x 2.17 inches


Item Dimensions LxWxH: 20 x 8 x 4 inches


Item Weight: 4.54 kg


Brand Name: Zoo Med


Target Audience Keyword: fish, house-cats, reptiles


Directions: Position the lamp at a safe distance to avoid overheating.


Warranty Description: As Labeled


Model Name: Pet Supply Zoomed Excavator Clay Burrow Substrate 10 lb.


Color: No Color


Size: 10 pounds


Material: Cotton


Age Range Description: all stages


Number of Items: 1


Included Components: Pet Supply Zoomed Excavator Clay Burrow Substrate 10 lb.


Specific Uses for Product: Active


Frequently asked questions

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Top Amazon Reviews

    • Makes for happy dragons
Size: 10 pounds
This stuff is great, my bearded dragon loves this way more than the temporary paper towels she was initially on. When she’s particularly happy she’ll dig down into it and lay in a divot of the warm sand like a pancake. It doesn’t have any smell other than earth, one bag is enough for a 45 gallon tank, it’s easy to clean clumps with a scooper. Overall this was a great purchase. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2026 by Panda C.
    • Great product
Size: 10 pounds
Great clay for lepord gecko enclosers. I got it for my Leo's old encloser and decided to get it again for his new one. I am mixing it with sand and dirt so he can bury a little bit, this is a great product.
Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2026 by Stephanie
    • Perfect
Size: 10 pounds
Exactly what Wreck It Ralph beeds. Thank you
Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2026 by Dragon_Kitty1731
    • Dragon was a bit depressed, not anymore
Size: 10 pounds
For the longest time my dragon would just lay in the cool side of the tank and do absolutely nothing until I picked her up and put her under a heat lamp. If I didn't do this, she would stay there and not even eat. When I added hammocks, she would just pick a favorite hammock and then stay in the hammock. I first used a beginner kit to put a small hill in my bearded dragon's tank and watched her for a while to make sure she wasn't eating it. I seen her lick it out of curiosity a couple times, but not actually try to eat it. I waited a while to see if she had a healthy poop, as she took a few days to have one (sometimes poops more often and sometimes less often). She had a healthy bowel movement and a few more after that. She dug into the small mound of clay hoping to make a cave until all the clay collapsed since there wasn't enough. I was satisfied that she was not eating the loose clay particles and so I bought her more. She absolutely loves this stuff. Ever since adding it to her tank, she gets up on her own every morning and climbs all over her tank! It's made her so happy! She will sometimes sleep on the pile of clay I made for her, or she will bask during the day. She will dig into it a little. She will go back to the other side of the tank when she is too hot. She doesn't even want to poop in her tank now. She tries to climb out when she wants to poop so she doesn't get it dirty! I'm happy to see her be more active now, because she was healthy with no problems but just wanted to lay still all day. This is also the best price I have found for the excavation clay. So thank you so much! ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2021 by ChanniAnn
    • I bought for burrowing snake
Size: 10 pounds
Review Image by Jena
I bought the excavator clay because it is safer to use with a Mexican black kingsnake (desert snake that likes to burrow) than sand. Sand (which is want I wanted originally) is really bad for them due to impaction. I honestly don't think she is a fan because is it very hard and fairly dense, so I did a half and half tank. It wasn't very easy to use- your hands will get dirty. I don't think she will be able to burrow because of the firmness. I did build a clay hut out of it. Probably great for lizards and guys that can actually dig. Probably skip if you want your snake to burrow in it because it is very dense. Other than that. I like the look which is what I was really going for. To the right is the clay while it was freshly wet from putting it in and in the corner is the clay hut. The left is Terra Sahara from biodude for her bioactive enclosure. I'd say it's worth it ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2023 by Jena
    • Must use for any naturalistic arid reptile enclosure!
Size: 10 pounds
Review Image by Rylee
Review Image by Rylee
Must use for any naturalistic arid reptile enclosure and is my Recommendation for Leopard Geckos, Bearded Dragons, and Uromastyx. It can be used by itself or mixed with soil for a more natural and soft substrate. Excavator clay holds tunnels extremely well, while allowing reptiles to act on natural digging instincts. There is little risk for impaction or accidentally being ingested with this clay as it is compacted and has very little loose grains once wet and dried. As for cleaning, Most Arid Reptiles have a drier stool that will sit on top of the substrate and can be simply picked up with a paper towel. If the "used" area begins to smell, Simply scoop up the clay in that spot and replace. (I always save a little dry clay for this reason) To heat from below For reptiles that require heat from below, This can be achieved with a little creative land planning. The spot that has belly heat needs to be between 1/8th and 1/4th in thick for enough heat to penetrate. This actually works better than Repticarpet or tile as the heat is evenly distributed and retained for longer. In the attached pictures, the right half has heat on an "on/off" thermostat and is able to maintain floor heat at 88-92 Degrees at all times. To use by itself Carefully empty into enclosure, go slow to avoid dust. Wet clay just enough to form caverns and hills, I feel it works best when combined with Driftwood, Slate, Stone or Cork bark to create better climbing opportunities and help build up hills. While drying, the clay may crack as it shrinks, just re-wet the cracks and rub smooth. To Redecorate or fix crumbling, just soak the area with a reptile safe spray bottle, and reform. To create a more naturalistic soil Combine equal parts Excavator clay and organic topsoil and moisten. Be sure there are no Fertilizers, Natural or otherwise in the soil. This mixture will not be able to form tall structures, But will hold Burrows extremely well and will be easier for reptiles to dig in. As with any Pet product PLEASE research thoroughly the needs of that specific animal before Purchasing. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2017 by Rylee
    • Awesome sculpting fun!
Size: 10 pounds
I love this product! It is great for creating a natural landscape, lets your reptiles dig safely and can't be ingested easily. A few notes that might help other buyers out: Firstly 10lbs doesn't go very far. 10lbs would be ok for a 10gallon tank, maybe not super deep but there would be a little space to dig. I have an exo-terra terrarium that's 24" by 17" by 17" which needed 30lbs to get some landscaping. My suggestion would be to purchase at least 1lb per gallon tank you have and then if you want more digging space for your reptile(s) add an extra 10lb bag. Secondly use a mister or spray bottle to add water to this so you can mold it. It is very easy to add too much water which turns it into a mud swamp and it takes forever to dry out. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2017 by AvidTraveler
    • Trial and Error
Size: 10 pounds
I bought this with high hopes. I wanted it for my Leopard Gecko so he could have a more realistic substrate. I started off using their measurements for water, but it was too dry to work with. Once I wet it much more, it was a lot easier to work with; however, when it dried, it cracked and crumbled like no other. I tried the misting technique, but it didn't really help and my Leo certainly did not appreciate the added moisture. Not to mention, I can't help but feel like this product is weak. No matter how hard I packed or how long I supported, the bridges/arch ways would crumble. I was also planning on building tunnels using Zoo Meds balloon technique, but even with a cork round it wouldn't hold it in place securely without using the half of the 10 pound bag. It is holding the hides, plants, and decorations well enough for right now, but I am sad to say I am disappointed with the overall product. Although, I plan on purchasing 20 more pounds to try to redo the tank with more structures. I think adding tin foil within the mixture for added support, then the bridges I really wanted would actually hold. I have a 20 gallon long, but I think I'm going to go for a 24x18x12 so I can utilize the broader floor space so I can build a thicker foundation. Hopefully it works better. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on November 3, 2016 by Cambu

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