Coconut coir question?

[lauren43201]

So i know sand has bad impaction if the tortoise is to eat it but what about coconut coir? I put his lettuce up on a rock and he doesn't seem to like to eat it on there so instead he pulls it right off into the coconut coir substrate. If it gets on his food and he eats it, will it harm him? I'd rather be safe then sorry.

 

[Missy]

It is supposed to be ok. I stopped using it because it would get in there eyes.

 

[lauren43201]

It is supposed to be ok. I stopped using it because it would get in there eyes.

Oh ok, that's good! and yes i've noticed it goes in the corners of his eyes but he doesn't seem to be bothered by it and just blinks it out pretty fast. Thank you!

 

[wellington]

That is all I use. I dampen it and pat it down a little and it hasn't been a problem at all for me. It doesn't even get dragged much with mine. I do think my leopard is a bit of a clean freak. He seems to be less messy then a lot of torts on here.

 

[lauren43201]

That is all I use. I dampen it and pat it down a little and it hasn't been a problem at all for me. It doesn't even get dragged much with mine. I do think my leopard is a bit of a clean freak. He seems to be less messy then a lot of torts on here.

Same here, i use straight coconut coir, and keep it dampened and my russian really seems to like it. hahaha, and hey a clean freak is an advantage to you! Less cleaning up after him! My lil guy's favourite thing to do is walk straight into his food and knock it all over the place! LOL.

 

[cemmons12]

I feed Cooper and Ophelia on clay flower pot bottoms, the part that holds water. They are like 6 inch size and they eat just fine off of them.

 

[lauren43201]

I feed Cooper and Ophelia on clay flower pot bottoms, the part that holds water. They are like 6 inch size and they eat just fine off of them.

Ooh good idea! Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[Jacqui]

Any substrate that is eaten can cause impactions or punctures. It's more if your tortoise is healthy, getting it's exercise, is well hydrated, and eating those things will just keep working their way down the system until they are expelled. We try to minimize the amount they eat, but they will still be eating some. Keep in mind out in the wild, nobody is putting their food out for them on nice china, yet they survive.

 

[lauren43201]

Any substrate that is eaten can cause impactions or punctures. It's more if your tortoise is healthy, getting it's exercise, is well hydrated, and eating those things will just keep working their way down the system until they are expelled. We try to minimize the amount they eat, but they will still be eating some. Keep in mind out in the wild, nobody is putting their food out for them on nice china, yet they survive.

LOL, good point! but thanks for the advise!