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?
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.
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 !
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.
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.
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.