Substrate advice

[BeccaGeddes]

Hi guys,
Just got a new substrate for my 1 year old Hermann's. Got it from pets at home but I'm scared he's going to eat it, I found him with a little bit in his mouth two minutes after I'd changed it over! Any advice would be appreciated, am i just being paranoid?

 

[Maro2Bear]

Greetings, can you list out what the substrate consists of (soil, sphagnum peat moss, coconut coir, etc). What are those ' lil white specs/stones?

 

[BeccaGeddes]

All it says on the bag is 'a mix of sterilised top soil, sand and limestone grit'. I think the little white bits might be the limestone maybe? It's those bits he's trying to eat.

 

[BeccaGeddes]

Here's a photo of the packaging

 

[Grandpa Turtle 144]

Good morning Becca
Sand isn't good for torts cause they eat and it blocks up their system . White little stones that look like pearlite isn't good either cause it blocks up their system . You will find that big bright packages are to get us to buy not better products . Sorry . But Hermanns still rule !

 

[Yvonne G]

I doubt the little pieces of limestone will be harmful, but you can always put another layer of something else on top of this substrate. Some people like to use coco coir. My choice is orchid bark.

 

[BeccaGeddes]

I have some bark stuff that I took out, could I just later that on top to stop him getting a nibble in?

 

[Yvonne G]

Unless the bark is small pieces, I wouldn't use it. Large pieces are hard for babies to walk on.

 

[Tom]

I prefer orchid bark for bigger ones and coco coir for smaller ones.

I would not use anything with sand in it, or little white bits that they might want to eat. If they need calcium I will use a powdered supplement on the food or give them a cuttle bone.

 

[Jodie]

I am very happy with coco Coir for little ones and use coco husk fiber for larger ones. I use sphagnum moss in places.

 

[johnandjade]

hi there, we were using the same kind of stuff as pictured for a while but not long changed to coco coir. I strongly advice changing as suggested, we were amazed in the difference.