TortoiseForum.org - Eye prob....pls help!

Beech chips should be fine as long as it's not dusty. May I ask where you are at as beech is not a common substrat.

TestudoGeek Wrote:

I have no idea what beech chip are, but you probably want to make sure they're tort-safe.

Best substrates are:

a) soil\sand mix
b) just soil
c) just Aspen.

Take a look on the enclosure section for ideas & reference. dusty substrates can harm the eyes and\or the lungs.

also, be sure to soak the tort on lukewarm water every 2 or 3 days and keep a shallow dish with water inside the enclosure. babies can easily dehydrate which can be fatal.

I have been soaking my baby every other day...the beech chips are tort safe but I am thinking of changing it.

What is aspen and where would I get it?? I am from the uk....

Itort Wrote:

Beech chips should be fine as long as it's not dusty. May I ask where you are at as beech is not a common substrat.

Its not dusty......gave it a good airing before I used it also.

I am in the uk....Beech chips are quite common here. They are used a lot for other reptiles too like Gecko's and bearded dragons.

Aspen is similar to poplar (actually it is a poplar), it is a common tree in northern North America But I don't if it is available in Great Britain. I have seen it in travelogs of Scandanavia and Russia but I don't know if it is used in Europe like N. America.

Ok...Im not sure if I can get it here....I know that a lot of people here use Hemp for their torts?? Maybe I will use the beech and some soil.

Just want to make sure I get it right for my little one...

Ah, the difference between continents. We can get aspen and hemp is a major no no (drug policy). As I said beech should be no problem.

Thanks for the advice...

hemp is similar to aspen.

I live in Portugal, and Zoomed's Snake Aspen Bedding is the only I can find. You can find Hemp on ebay in the uk

shredded Hemp is now sold in the USA at Petco as is shredded Aspen.
charlieparki, shredded hemp should be available in petstores or livestock areas in the UK I believe.

TestudoGeek Wrote:

hemp is similar to aspen.

I live in Portugal, and Zoomed's Snake Aspen Bedding is the only I can find. You can find Hemp on ebay in the uk

In North America, aspen is Populus tremuloides (trembling aspen) or P. grandidentata (bigtooth aspen) while hemp is Cannabis sativa (marijuana) and as such a controled substance. Aspen trees are widely used for lumber, paper, and as we're aware animal bedding. Hemp is used for fiber as well as it's more famous use.