all opinions and experiences welcome

[squamatasquamata]

So, let's start a debate (possibly lol) what would you all consider the best substrate for juvenile leopard tortoises? ready go

 

[wellington]

I personally liked coconut coir.
If one finds it too messy, then use a layer of bark over it.

 

[EppsDynasty]

So I second @wellington Coco Coir. I'm not a leopard keeper but have noticed with the bark small pieces get stuck in the folds of neck skin. The Coco is soft and not a "Puncture" risk like the hard pieces of bark. We tried everything we could think of to eliminate the bark getting in the neck folds with no success, we now solely use Coco Coir.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Not a leopard keeper either, but I tend to avoid coir if we can, find it far too messy, I’m gonna go with orchid bark on this one but that’s just my preference😊
I wouldn’t be entirely opposed to a coir base with bark on top like wellington mentioned, I think it’d work really well

 

[wellington]

So I second @wellington Coco Coir. I'm not a leopard keeper but have noticed with the bark small pieces get stuck in the folds of neck skin. The Coco is soft and not a "Puncture" risk like the hard pieces of bark. We tried everything we could think of to eliminate the bark getting in the neck folds with no success, we now solely use Coco Coir.

Totally agree about the bark. I have even experience a hatchling getting poked and left a pin hole size mark.
With packing coir down and slate around the water dish, it can be a lot less messy and lot safer. But I do understand, that in the wild, they are on wood, stone, etc, and not coconut coir, so I will recommend both.

 

[Tom]

So, let's start a debate (possibly lol) what would you all consider the best substrate for juvenile leopard tortoises? ready go

Orchid bark.

 

[squamatasquamata]

Thanks all for the responses great feedback I have to admit I was kind of fishing here I am considering giving coco chips a try and wanted to see if anyone was already using this product, I'm thinking it may be less messy yet still capable of holding moisture to keep up humidity in my enclosures

 

[wellington]

Thanks all for the responses great feedback I have to admit I was kind of fishing here I am considering giving coco chips a try and wanted to see if anyone was already using this product, I'm thinking it may be less messy yet still capable of holding moisture to keep up humidity in my enclosures

I have always seen that the coco chips are dangerous to animals. It's from the coco bean/chocolate.
Years ago, when I first joined. The saying on most things, was, if it's not dangerous to other types of animals, it's likely safe for our tortoises. Of course like anything, that's not going to be true on 100% of things, but to me, that's another why risk it. No tortoise is going to be living on coco chips and they can be poisonous, so why chance it.
Just food for thought.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Going off what wellington has said, I’d maybe consider some orchid bark🙂

 

[squamatasquamata]

This is the product I was referring to its not chocolate according to the package lol

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

This is the product I was referring to its not chocolate according to the package lol

Oh ok I see, I’m still not 100% certain on this product but wait to hear what other folks think!

 

[squamatasquamata]

So, my thought is its chips of coconut instead of an almost powder coco coir so not as messy and great moisture retention also not as hard texture wise as orchid bark

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

So, my thought is its chips of coconut instead of an almost powder coco coir so not as messy and great moisture retention also not as hard texture wise as orchid bark

Yeah I am definitely interested in the safety of these actually, I might go do some digging.. excuse the pun🤣

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Ok so I’ve very quickly given them a look over, from what I’m reading, they are safe as in not toxic or anything, however the chips are still quite fibrous, kind of like the husk substrate you can get, I’ve heard there’s be instances of impactions with stuff like that, so I’m inclined to say avoid these too and stick with orchid bark personally

 

[Megatron's Mom]

I have a leopard and a sulfate. I did use coco coir before I knew the old information I read on enclosures was wrong. When I upgraded each of them to a 4x4 I used cypress mulch. I actually only found the odd piece I didn't trust and took it out.

I would have liked to buy the orchid bark, the cost to have it shipped to me wasn't justified. When cypress mulch was so much easier to get my hands on.

 

[wellington]

This is the product I was referring to its not chocolate according to the package lol

That's not called coco chips. Coco chips is chocolate bean shell.
What you have is coconut. Big difference from Coco and coconut.

 

[wellington]

The only coconut I wouldn't use is the strands or the mats. The mats I believe has something in them that isn't recommended for tortoises, plus I believe as they fall apart, they are strands.

 

[Tom]

This is the product I was referring to its not chocolate according to the package lol

Chips are no good for tortoises. I use those for some of my snakes and lizards. The chips are too easy for a tortoise to swallow or choke on, and they are also difficult for them to walk on. They are good for snakes and lizards because they can burrow through them without damaging their snout.

The best substrate for them is orchid bark. Coco coir can work, but its messy. Keep it damp and hand packed, and it will be less messy, but still messy. Orchid bark retains good moisture, they don't choke on it, and it makes a solid walking surface for them.