Substrate

[Ren91]

Hey!
I live in the UK and have been buying orchid bark for my Hermann. They have stopped selling it and now it's says pine bark. Am I right in thinking they can't live in this?
Please help im not sure what to get but he loves to burrow.
He's only 2.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

What brand is it? Does it state the Latin name of the species used anywhere?

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Orchid bark saga

Hello folks! Hope everyone is well😁 I’m writing this because I’m very intrigued to get some input/information on where to research more into this. Last month a comment made on the forum to the effect of “Have you definitely got orchid fir bark, not pine, because they can be marketed as the...

tortoiseforum.org

 

[Ren91]

What brand is it? Does it state the Latin name of the species used anywhere?

You might find this helpful:

Orchid bark saga

Hello folks! Hope everyone is well😁 I’m writing this because I’m very intrigued to get some input/information on where to research more into this. Last month a comment made on the forum to the effect of “Have you definitely got orchid fir bark, not pine, because they can be marketed as the...

tortoiseforum.org

Hey I was buying it from swell reptiles, and online shop. It was there own brand.

 

[TammyJ]

@Tom
@zolasmum

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Hopefully it is either a safe pine species or it has been treated to make it safe. Based on the listing I can't say whether that is the case. As it is their own product/brand, maybe contacting customer service might help?

 

[Tom]

Hey!
I live in the UK and have been buying orchid bark for my Hermann. They have stopped selling it and now it's says pine bark. Am I right in thinking they can't live in this?
Please help im not sure what to get but he loves to burrow.
He's only 2.

Fir is a type of pine. Its my understanding that other types of pine are not good for them, but if it has been "kiln dried" that burns off the phenols and other harmful compounds.

So the answer to your questions is: It depends on what it is and how it has been treated.

Hermanni are not a burrowing species. If he is frequently digging down into the substrate, that is a good indicator that conditions top side are not to his liking. Could be too cold, too dry, wrong bulbs, etc... You should examine this and see if you can't find and correct the problem. We'd be happy to help if you want tp post pics and describe your temps and what equipment you are using over him.