substrate

[James Nechvatal]

Hello
Is cyprus mulch a good substrate for a young tort?
He seems to be doing good with it. I had this for about 6 months.

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

yes

 

[James Nechvatal]

thanks for your reply

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

thanks for your reply

no problem

 

[Tortoisekatie]

I have a 3 year old hermann tortoise and when I got him I was told to keep him on pellets from the breeder. I have been doing my research and it looks like the coco coir is better for him, I do have a question, I have broke it up in his enclosure but should I be adding water to it (sorry if that's a stupid question) I was always told that he did not like to have a moist enclosure so surely adding water would make it mushy? Or do I wait until it dries out? Sorry if this is so,etching that has already been discussed but I a, new to owning a tortoise and happy to take on all advice

Thanks in advance

 

[lismar79]

I have a 3 year old hermann tortoise and when I got him I was told to keep him on pellets from the breeder. I have been doing my research and it looks like the coco coir is better for him, I do have a question, I have broke it up in his enclosure but should I be adding water to it (sorry if that's a stupid question) I was always told that he did not like to have a moist enclosure so surely adding water would make it mushy? Or do I wait until it dries out? Sorry if this is so,etching that has already been discussed but I a, new to owning a tortoise and happy to take on all advice

Thanks in advance

If you had to break it up then you probably bought the compressed bricks and yes, you were suppose to soak them first in water. They would have expanded about 4 or 5 times the size. Then squeeze water out so its moist not wet. They dry fast so no worries there. Coco coir is great for yound torts for keeping humidity up. I like this better than cypress for that reason.

 

[leigti]

Make sure that it has expanded completely before you put your tortoise in there. You don't want him to swallow it dry and have an expand inside him. It does not cause blockages if swallowed once it has been fully expanded but I would be nervous if it hasn't been.