Stoneman
Active Member
Alright, so I know 90% of everyone on here is going to blow a gasket at the thought of someone using rubber flooring for their substrate, but, I would like for you to look at the facts with me and hopefully you can learn, or provide experience or some other valuable insight after reading and thoughtfully responding if you have something to contribute. I apologize for beginning the thread so defensively, but I have started conversations like this and I have gotten a lot of flak.
I am not particularly interested in building "natural" settings. I think they are only natural superficially, and are not natural in the right ways. For example, I use artificial grass and bacteria resistant yoga mats for substrate now. There are areas for potentially egg laying adults that have clean play sand mixed with coco coir. No top soil. This is much easier to know that the soil does not contain harmful parasites, toxic chemical compounds, etc. It is a controlled environment. Plastic boxes with sponges attached to the roof have proven to be much more successful than a wood container with long strand sphagnum moss which is known to cause compaction and other digestive problems.
Another point, people say they should do best in natural settings, but how many of us keep our dogs in natural settings? I am guessing just about none. They love their pillowy dog bed, the couch, your bed, they don't love living in the dirt in a cave. And neither do we, even though that was most natural for us for a while. Without shoes.
So with all that being said, why not rubber wood chips? It strengthens their muscles because they have to climb over and dig into the uneven terrain. The rubber acts as a great shock absorber on their joints or in case they fall. The rubber, unlike bark, repels moisture, poop, and microorganisms that porous wood soaks up, and makes it nearly impossible to clean thoroughly. The rubber can be cleaned periodically and reused. As long as it does not rot it has a long life. It is recycled rubber which lowers environmental impact. The only ways that it can become toxic, is if it is either heated or burned. So if I have safe, smart heating system and use chunks that are large and durable enough to not be easily consumable, I think I have the best of both worlds.
Has anyone ever used this? Or had it in your yard around a tree that your tortoise was exposed to?
I am not particularly interested in building "natural" settings. I think they are only natural superficially, and are not natural in the right ways. For example, I use artificial grass and bacteria resistant yoga mats for substrate now. There are areas for potentially egg laying adults that have clean play sand mixed with coco coir. No top soil. This is much easier to know that the soil does not contain harmful parasites, toxic chemical compounds, etc. It is a controlled environment. Plastic boxes with sponges attached to the roof have proven to be much more successful than a wood container with long strand sphagnum moss which is known to cause compaction and other digestive problems.
Another point, people say they should do best in natural settings, but how many of us keep our dogs in natural settings? I am guessing just about none. They love their pillowy dog bed, the couch, your bed, they don't love living in the dirt in a cave. And neither do we, even though that was most natural for us for a while. Without shoes.
So with all that being said, why not rubber wood chips? It strengthens their muscles because they have to climb over and dig into the uneven terrain. The rubber acts as a great shock absorber on their joints or in case they fall. The rubber, unlike bark, repels moisture, poop, and microorganisms that porous wood soaks up, and makes it nearly impossible to clean thoroughly. The rubber can be cleaned periodically and reused. As long as it does not rot it has a long life. It is recycled rubber which lowers environmental impact. The only ways that it can become toxic, is if it is either heated or burned. So if I have safe, smart heating system and use chunks that are large and durable enough to not be easily consumable, I think I have the best of both worlds.
Has anyone ever used this? Or had it in your yard around a tree that your tortoise was exposed to?