Substrate for year old leopard

[Zac dale]

Hey everybody, I wanted to know what the best substrate is for a 1 year old leopard, I live in Hong Kong so it is already nice and humid. I will be getting a larger enclosure for him. Thanks!

 

[JaySparks]

Many people recommend cypress mulch. I personally use organic topsoil mixed with cococoir.

 

[Maro2Bear]

Yep, coco coir is great, as is fine orchid bark mix. Cypress mulch might be too large and rough for a yearling, but mix of all three might be perfect.

 

[Tom]

I prefer fine grade orchid bark.

 

[JaySparks]

I prefer fine grade orchid bark.

are tortoises able to burrow under that? I'm thinking of changing because topsoil and cococoir can be messy. I have a hermans that likes to burrow a lot.

 

[Zac dale]

I prefer fine grade orchid bark.

Can I use the ZooMed reptibark?

 

[Tom]

are tortoises able to burrow under that? I'm thinking of changing because topsoil and cococoir can be messy. I have a hermans that likes to burrow a lot.

Yes they can.

 

[Tom]

Can I use the ZooMed reptibark?

That is fine grade orchid bark, so yes. Its the best one to use in my experience, but its expensive to buy it from a pet store in a ZooMed bag. I buy it in bulk at garden centers for a fraction of the price.

 

[Zac dale]

That is fine grade orchid bark, so yes. Its the best one to use in my experience, but its expensive to buy it from a pet store in a ZooMed bag. I buy it in bulk at garden centers for a fraction of the price.

Should I mix eco-earth with it?
Also, Do you prefer cypress mulch or reptibark?

 

[Tom]

Should I mix eco-earth with it?
Also, Do you prefer cypress mulch or reptibark?

I see no reason and no point in mixing different substrates.

I don't like cypress mulch because it smells swampy and it dirty when you get it so it requires a lot of work and a lot of water to clean it before use. They are also wrecking the cypress groves to get it, so I'm told.

Plain old fine grade orchid bark from a garden center is the best substrate there is for a leopard or sulcata.

 

[Marci]

That is fine grade orchid bark, so yes. Its the best one to use in my experience, but its expensive to buy it from a pet store in a ZooMed bag. I buy it in bulk at garden centers for a fraction of the price.

Could this be used?

 

[Tom]

Could this be used?

Check the "Ingredients" list to make sure there are no additives. Then check the particle size to make sure it isn't big honkin' chunks that a little tortoise won't be able to walk on very easily.

If there are no additives and if the particle size is good, then yes! Should be good to use.