Is coconut substrate good for tortoises?
If it’s fine enough, it’s a lot “dusty” than soil as well. Still, coconut husk is a great substitute for soil. Because it’s made from coconuts, you tortoise can eat this, and it will simply get digested like normal. This pretty much eliminates the dangers of impaction.
Can tortoises eat coconut coir?
Coco Coir is a substrate made from Coconut Coir fibres which are extracted from the husk of the Coconut. This choice of substrate is 100% natural and organic so if it is ingested by your tortoise it is completely harmless.
What is the best substrate for Russian tortoise?
Our favorite substrate is cypress mulch. It’s commonly available, retains moisture or dryness well, isn’t very dusty and provides a stable platform while allowing burrowing. For baby Russian tortoises, we prefer coco coir because it’s less dusty; sometimes peat moss is used, as well.
Is coconut fiber good for turtles?
Most box turtles absolutely love to burrow into it. A morning daily mist of water to a coconut fiber + sphagnum moss mixture is an awesome combo. The sphagnum moss will hold the moisture from the mist and release it throughout the rest of the day. It will also keep the bedding warm and humid.
How often should I change my tortoises substrate?
It is good practice to do a full substrate change every few months and while the table is empty it is a good time to replace any damaged lining and to disinfect the table and any rocks and hides.
What is the best substrate for Hermann’s tortoise?
Substrate and Furnishings As obligate burrowers, Hermann’s tortoises should be provided with a fairly deep layer of appropriate bedding. Reptile (orchid) bark, shredded aspen, pulverized coconut, and cypress mulch are all acceptable choices. The substrate used should be easy to clean, and suitable for digging.
Why is my tortoise eating sand?
Why is my tortoise eating dirt? Your tortoise is eating dirt because he is not receiving the appropriate amount of vitamins and minerals, such as calcium, in his diet. When tortoises are deficient in minerals such as calcium, they will deliberately seek calcium-rich items in their environment to make up for it.
What bedding is best for box turtles?
Newspaper, butcher paper, paper towels, or commercially available paper-based pelleted bedding or artificial grass made for reptiles (commonly called “reptile carpet”) is recommended. Some people suggest using straw, hay, or alfalfa pellets, as box turtles like to burrow.
Do turtles need soil?
A mixture of sand and soil also works well for box turtles, but it should not be fully dry. A dry substrate will cause the turtle’s skin to crack, and this will affect its health and well-being. For optimum care, health and comfort, the habitat’s substrate should be cleaned out on a weekly basis.
What is the best substrate for a horsefield tortoise?
It is important to use a substrate that is easy to replace, and as similar to the tortoise’s natural environment as possible. A mixture of 50% playsand and 50% loam (easily obtained from your local garden centre) will therefore make the ideal substrate, allowing your tortoise to exhibit natural burrowing behaviour.
Which is the best substrate for a Russian tortoise?
Top on our list of best substrate for Russian tortoise is this Zoo Med Eco Med Earth Loose Coconut Fiber Substrate. Coconut fiber is one of the best types and is great in mimicking a natural habitat for your pet. It is not only ideal and loved by reptiles like your tortoise, but it is also loved by amphibians and invertebrates.
How to care for an outdoor Russian tortoise?
A benefit of choosing outdoor housing for your Russian tortoise is that it requires less cleaning to remove soiled bedding substrate and droppings. Cleaning can occur on an as-needed basis; simply scoop out the soiled material and replace the substrate. Be sure to address elevation change within the habitat.
What kind of soil to use for indoor tortoise?
Popular indoor substrates for tortoises include coconut coir, soil & coconut coir mix, organic soil, and peat moss. Popular chip type substrates include fir / orchid bark, cypress mulch, and coconut husk chips. Also shown is sphagnum moss which is very soft when damp.
Why do Russian tortoises dig in the soil?
Russian tortoises love to dig the soil. They dig for heat control and also for fun sometimes. So you need to make the substrate as deep as possible to allow for this.
Top on our list of best substrate for Russian tortoise is this Zoo Med Eco Med Earth Loose Coconut Fiber Substrate. Coconut fiber is one of the best types and is great in mimicking a natural habitat for your pet. It is not only ideal and loved by reptiles like your tortoise, but it is also loved by amphibians and invertebrates.
Where does the Russian tortoise live in the wild?
So to eliminate a lot of them you first have to think of the natural habitat of the Russian tortoise. Russian tortoises live in central Asia, especially in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran. So Russian tortoises will need a substrate that is at least similar to its homeland.
What kind of problems can a Russian tortoise have?
Humidity: Humidity is an important consideration with Russian tortoises. It is also very misunderstood. There are those that claim that high humidity will cause shell rot and respiratory infection. This is only partially true. High humidity, damp substrate AND cool temperatures cause problems.
What kind of plants do Russian tortoises eat?
Russian Tortoises are grazers and enjoy broad leaf plants. The best diet is a variety of weeds (leaves and flowers). Dandelion is a favorite.
Can tortoises use coconut fiber?
Coconut coir mixed with some organic soil is my favorite indoor substrate. Soil adds some texture to the otherwise fluffy coco fiber. This mixture holds it shape when damp and allows female tortoises to nest successfully.
Can you use coconut substrate?
Coconut fiber is also perfect for providing bedding and nest for small animals like hamsters or birds. Coco chips are very popular substrates to use in amphibian and reptile enclosures. They offer animals an easy place burrow down into as well as a nest.
Is Eco Earth loose coconut fiber substrate good for tortoises?
#1 Zoo Med Eco Earth Loose Coconut Fiber Substrate Zoo Med is a reliable well know brand for producing reptile products. This is an ideal bedding for more natural terrarium as it all natural and has been carefully removed from impurities. It is not only good for tortoise but also other reptiles.
Every two or three weeks: Change out the bedding. Wipe down the habitat with cage cleaner or disinfectant. Safety: Don’t use soap or detergent for tortoise habitats — even a trace left behind can harm your pet.
Is coco coir better than soil?
Unlike soil, coco coir is completely inert meaning you will need to provide your plants with all of the nutrients it needs to optimise healthy growth. When compared with soil, coco tends to dry out a lot quicker, meaning your plants will need to be watered more frequently.
What disinfectant is safe for tortoises?
Standard procedures include not eating or putting anything in the mouth when working with turtles, regular and thorough hand washing using hot water, soap or a disinfectant scrub after handling animals, and the regular use of disinfectants such as dilute (1:10) household bleach or a 10% povidone-iodine solution to …
What is the best substrate for a Russian Tortoise enclosure?
Is coco better than soil?
Is coconut fiber good for plants?
Coco fibers allow for superior aeration and let oxygen into plant roots easily. Coco chips are excellent when mixed into soil, as they create air pockets while also retaining some water.
Does coconut coir help drainage?
Coir improves soil drainage in the bed while also helping to retain moisture in quick-draining soils. Since coir breaks down slowly, much like peat, it creates air pockets in the soil that allow excess moisture to drain away from plant roots.
Is coco coir well draining?
Plenty of room for the root system: Coco coir offers a rare combination of excellent water retention, reliable drainage and ideal aeration.
Can a tortoise eat carrot tops?
Carrot tops contain a high percentage of oxalic acid, potassium and are rich in protein, so should be fed sparingly, if at all. Some people are said to use raw grated carrot occasionally as a natural wormer, but there is no evidence that this is an effective method of worming your tortoise.
