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.Sand should never be used in a tortoise enclosure.
Outdoors, I just use the native dirt that is there.
What do you mean by impact ion?Sand can cause impaction. Most of us don't take that chance. Plain dirt or coconut coir I like. Peat moss is good too.
Plug up your turtles digestive tract.What do you mean by impact ion?
The sand is where he sleeps. He eats off a saucer or rocks not on sand.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.
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.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 will do that soon. Good idea! It's usually 85-90 degrees out back. Sometimes he just hangs out within my Aloes.Have you ever put a thermometer in his shelter there and checked temps on a hot day? I'm curious.