Substrate for horsefield

[tryme]

Hi

Ive read conflicting reports on substrate for horsefields. Some say use coco fibre and sand. Some same sand will cause irritation. Most say coco fibre alone is too wet.

Can i use topsoil or similar?
Can i use sand?

Also is it ok to hibernate for 3/4 months nov-feb

 

[emmalaub]

Top soil is great, I use it for my Russian and he loves it! Sand is iffy, 70% soil and 30% sand they say is an okay choice, but sand can cause impactions and those are very bad, personally I would stick to topsoil.

 

[Yvonne G]

I see nothing wrong with using top soil. I wouldn't use sand. You can really use whatever gives you and your tortoise the type of habitat you're looking for. But if you use dirt/sand, you can expect that it will get stuck on the food and the tortoise is going to eat it. If you don't keep your tortoise very well-hydrated, sand can build up in the stomach and the tortoise will eventually become impacted with it.

 

[tryme]

Excellent advice. Thank you.

How about the hibernation?

 

[Yellow Turtle01]

NO sand!
Eco earth= coco fibers, works great.
You do not have to hibernate your tortoise. It's not necessary unless your breeding (even then) and it's also very risky, as your tort could die if even a little thing is wrong.

 

[tryme]

Oh ok great thanks

 

[ZEROPILOT]

The best is the cheapest. Luckily. By trial and error, I'm sold on top soil. $1 a bag and mulch. $2 a bag.