Playground sand?

[Gopherus Guy]

I've used regular playground sand for the interior of my Desert Tortoise den. He seems to like it. Is plain ol' sand not a good thing to use? It does get on his food occasionally. I'll sometimes wet it firm in there. Any suggestions if not the sand?

 

[wellington]

Sand can cause impaction. Most of us don't take that chance. Plain dirt or coconut coir I like. Peat moss is good too.

 

[Tom]

Sand should never be used in a tortoise enclosure.

Outdoors, I just use the native dirt that is there.

 

[Gillian M]

Sand is never recommended for enclosures of torts.

 

[Gopherus Guy]

Sand should never be used in a tortoise enclosure.

Outdoors, I just use the native dirt that is there.

My backyard is mostly rocks with planting 'islands'. His hut was built on the sand but he has dug out below-grade towards the back of his hut, that is just clay dirt. He also has made a place to hangout under my Aloes, which are in the islands with sand too. He roams freely in my backyard. Use peat moss inside his hut? He is a Desert Tortoise.

 

[Gopherus Guy]

Sand can cause impaction. Most of us don't take that chance. Plain dirt or coconut coir I like. Peat moss is good too.

What do you mean by impact ion?

 

[BrianWI]

What do you mean by impact ion?

Plug up your turtles digestive tract.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Yes. It can accumulate, clump together and cause serious issues.

 

[Gopherus Guy]

The majority of my yard is sand. So I should put peat moss inside his hut?

 

[ZEROPILOT]

No.
the soil in your yard is probably fine.
Just don't ad that play sand, silica sand or any of the fine sand that stores sell.
Garden soil, etc. would be great. It's what I've used. My soil is sandy and full of rocks and coral. Mostly because my neighborhood was a swamp 50 years ago.

 

[wellington]

Sand and dirt are not the same. So if your yard is actually sand, like beach sand, play sand and not dirt, then you should take some caution on feeding your tort. Like, making a stone patio to feed him on. Also growing grazing foods for him in an area you can add dirt over the sand. If your yard is actually dirt, I would still try to feed him so he's not having to eat a mouthful of dirt, but it's not as big a problem as sand.

 

[Gopherus Guy]

Sand and dirt are not the same. So if your yard is actually sand, like beach sand, play sand and not dirt, then you should take some caution on feeding your tort. Like, making a stone patio to feed him on. Also growing grazing foods for him in an area you can add dirt over the sand. If your yard is actually dirt, I would still try to feed him so he's not having to eat a mouthful of dirt, but it's not as big a problem as sand.

The sand is where he sleeps. He eats off a saucer or rocks not on sand.

 

[wellington]

Yes, but you should remove the sand altogether if it's possible. You said sand has gotten on his food. Best to just not chance it.

 

[Tom]

Have you ever put a thermometer in his shelter there and checked temps on a hot day? I'm curious.

 

[Gopherus Guy]

Sand can cause impaction. Most of us don't take that chance. Plain dirt or coconut coir I like. Peat moss is good too.

I am replacing the sand with Top Soil. Thanks for the tip. Remember he only sleeps in the hit on sand, he eats off of rocks or a clay saucer.

 

[Gopherus Guy]

Have you ever put a thermometer in his shelter there and checked temps on a hot day? I'm curious.

I will do that soon. Good idea! It's usually 85-90 degrees out back. Sometimes he just hangs out within my Aloes.