Decorative bark chippings for tortoise enclosure?

[Claudine]

Hi,

I was just wondering if you can used decorative bark chippings from day/garden centre for the substrate in a tortoise table? Not sure if it would have been treated with chemical or something so not suitable?

Thanks all x

 

[ZEROPILOT]

A lot of us use orchid bark because it is very small and clean.
I use big bags of mulch for my outdoor pen but the chunks seem too large for a table.
Maybe you can find small enough bark peices? I think that would be the only issue.
I've seen very little of it that is treated with anything except coloring agent.

 

[dmmj]

those bags of decorative bark sold in home improvement stores are at the very least colored who knows what else is in there I wouldn't use

 

[Tom]

Hi,

I was just wondering if you can used decorative bark chippings from day/garden centre for the substrate in a tortoise table? Not sure if it would have been treated with chemical or something so not suitable?

Thanks all x

It depends on what you find. Some are fine and others have stuff added, or are not clear about what they are made of. Read the ingredients. If it says, "Fir bark." and nothing else, then its fine.

 

[Claudine]

Thanks all. Think I'll stick with bark from the reptile shop to be safe.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Big bags of Orchid bark are cheaper and at least as safe.
It's likely the same product without the picture of a lizard on the bag.

 

[Claudine]

OK thanks I'll take a look!