Eating substrate?

[Tropical Torts]

My little sulcata Spike has been eating his substrate and I am really conscerned about it. His substrate is a 50/50 organic top soil and peat moss and on top of that I have about an inch thick layer of cypress mulch. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Thanks
John

 

[tortoisenerd]

How much and how often? What part of the current substrate does he eat (the cypress since its on top?)? How long have you had this substrate? Did it start right after you put it in? What did you use before, and did he eat it? It is normal to take one or a few test bites and then realize the substrate is not edible, but if it is repeatably more than that, you need to use something else as although those substrates have less risk of impaction, anything that isn't food that is eaten in reasonable quantities can cause issues such as impaction.