Do you pack your substrate?

tortoisetime565

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I've always left the substrate mixed and open. But some people pack it? My main substrate is Eco earth (coco coir) and repti bark. What do you guys use? And what do you guys so?
 

lisa127

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I don't. It would seem if I pack it my boxies have trouble burrowing. Maybe it works for torts that don't burrow?
 

tortoisetime565

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Idk. But a lot of people seem to do it? Maybe it helps with humidity? I like leaving it loose cause it goes up around my torts shells and they can get better moisture..
 

hunterk997

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I use topsoil, and I pack it. I don't like it loose. My Russian tortoise has no problems burrowing into it.
 

bouaboua

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I pack my coco coil. It makes no difference for humidity if I pack it or let it be loss.
 

AZtortMom

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I leave mine alone and I use the same stuff you do. (Eco Earth) My torts pack it down where they want and dig it where they want. I fill in their holes every day and rack it a little where they sleep so it gives them something to burrow into when they go to bed. The moisture in my enclosure stays around 93-99 percent I hope that helps
 

lisa127

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If my boxie wanders around her enclosure for a while she ends up packing it herself. Then she seems to get agitated because she doesn't seem to be able to dig into it as easily that way. So then I have to fluff it all up again for her. So this thing of purposely packing it I don't get.
 

Elohi

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I pack it for my Leo's but it's useless to pack it for my boxie. He is always digging and burrowing around. I think that dude could burrow in bedrock. He is much stronger than he looks.
 

T33's Torts

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No and maybe.

It keeps substrate from getting all over them which may be "happy". But I heavily doubt it helps humidity.
 

WillTort2

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I pack the area near their basking spots to make it easier for them to walk and it seems to dry out a little slower when packed. I use plain top soil with a coco coir mix.
 

tortoisetime565

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Interesting. I pack it around the water bowls to help keep them clean. (Doesn't really work but I like to think it does...)
 

Elohi

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I have noticed that the chamber has a higher humidity when the substrate is less packed. Like after I churn the substrate. When it super packed I have a harder time keeping the humidity up.
 

Donatello

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I use coconut fiber. I wanted to add repti bark to it but the guy at a reptile show i recently went to, told me to add forest floor. Is this o.k. ? I wanted to add something to help hold humidity in. I alrdy added it . Thanks.
 

gieseygirly

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Mine gradually pack it themselves, at which point then I go in and fluff again for them.
 

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