Favorite Substrate?

[Melissa Butler]

I'm using a 50/50 mix of organic top soil from the hardware store and Reptile Bark for my Herman's tortoise substrate. The Reptile Bark seems expensive. What are some appropriate substitutes?

 

[JoesMum]

The favourite substrates here are coco coir and fine grade orchid bark.

Both are cheapest bought from a garden centre, diy store or online (from Amazon say)

Whatever you use needs to be mixed with water so it is evenly damp. This helps to raise humidity in the enclosure which your tort needs for health

 

[GBtortoises]

For baby and young tortoises organic top or potting soils are the best choice. They hold moisture well without having to be dripping wet, they allow for easy digging into but can still provide good footing topside. Depending upon the ambient humidity and exposure to heat they will usually have to be sprayed daily, sometimes a couple of times daily. To help retain some more moisture if necessary a 25% mix of coconut coir or ground sphagnum moss can be mixed into the soil.
Coconut coir by itself is not a good substrate. It must be kept very wet in order to keep it's firmness and not dry out. When wet it has a tendency to clump and stick to things. When too dry it is very dusty and can be inhaled by a tortoise as well as sticking to the moist areas of a tortoise like around it's eyes, mouth and nostrils.
For larger tortoises cypress mulch works very well. It does tend to dry out so should be sprayed daily, sometimes a few times a day.
Organic soils and cypress mulch can be found a garden and home centers and is less expensive than similar products found in pet shops.