What's the best substrate for tortoises?

Sherrythetortoise

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I was wondering what's the best substrate for a tortoise since each reptile requires different environment ...
 

Jodie

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I prefer coco coir for babies. It holds moisture well, and does not mold.
 

tglazie

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I use coco coir for the babies and planted top soil for the adults. Coco coir is fine for babies, but with the adults, I go through a lot more soil, given the size of their enclosures. So, I use topsoil because it's cheaper. I use Scotts topsoil, given that it has much less sand than most other turf builders, plus it doesn't have a heavy load of fertilizer. It is composed of composted vegetation, however, and you don't know where that vegetation has been, so to start, I spread this soil into a large outdoor run where I grow various thistles on it. By early summer, most species of thistle start to bear seed, after which I tear the thistles out, roots and all, and offer them to my neighbors as goat feed. This whole process, I believe, allows any chemicals in the soil to leech away or be absorbed by the thistles. Once this soil is rendered safe by this process, I shovel it into the various indoor enclosures to keep the animals during the late fall and winter months, and whatever is left over, I use to fill in any places that have suffered erosion over the spring and summer. Having used this method for years, I've never encountered a problem with it, plus it's much cheaper than buying bags of orchid bark. Keep in mind, however, that there's nothing wrong with using orchid bark, and many of my friends who keep tortoises think I'm a crazy person for going through all this.

But yes, to sum up, coco coir for little ones, orchid bark or clean topsoil for the adults is fine.

T.G.
 

Reptilian Feline

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Coco coir meant for planting is a lot cheaper than coco coir for reptiles... same goes for bark. For me, lugging home a few bricks of coco coir and rehydrate is a lot easier than bringing home top soil.
 

Tom

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I was wondering what's the best substrate for a tortoise since each reptile requires different environment ...
Depends on species, size and age.

I use coco coir for some, orchid bark for others, and all my adults live outside on the native dirt and soil.
 

chemprentice

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I use coco coir per Kamp Kenan recommendations for my 4 month old greek and it works quite well in retaining humidity in the substrate.
 

CarolM

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Sorry to hijack your post but could I ask people to perhaps post a pic of the substrate they get (Of what it looks like when you buy it and when it is in the enclosure)? As I think that different countries have different names for the various subtrates.
 

CarolM

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Sorry to hijack your post but could I ask people to perhaps post a pic of the substrate they get (Of what it looks like when you buy it and when it is in the enclosure)? As I think that different countries have different names for the various subtrates.
I will post mine tonight as I don't have pics on my phone currently.
 

CarolM

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I use the coco peat which comes in a dry block and swells up when wet. In SA the other coco coir is the second pic, but I can't see how one would use it because I would be worried that the tortiose would get tangled and the only fine grade orchid bark I have managed to find is the third pic. I found that small pieces get stuck in between the the neck and legs. So I have gone back to using only the foco peat and have packed it down as in the first pic.
 

CarolM

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I use the coco peat which comes in a dry block and swells up when wet. In SA the other coco coir is the second pic, but I can't see how one would use it because I would be worried that the tortiose would get tangled and the only fine grade orchid bark I have managed to find is the third pic. I found that small pieces get stuck in between the the neck and legs. So I have gone back to using only the foco peat and have packed it down as in the first pic.
Pics 1, 2 and 320171228_185859.jpg20171228_185948.jpg20171228_190025.jpg
 

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