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?

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

 

[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.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

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.

Annoyingly i can’t see listings on swell anymore either! Thats where we used to get ours as well. I will say in the uk our orchid bark is indeed made differently, if it’s listed safe for reptile use you’ll be fine

Whilst you’re here I figured I’d pass on some links you might like looking through

This thread covers correct equipment(uvb, heating bulbs, lighting etc, definitely double check bulb types, folks unfortunately sold the wrong ones often), correct levels, appropriately maintaining the humidity, safe substrates, there’s lots of visual examples for everything, and the tortoise table link

Housing adult Russian and Hermans indoors

Hello there! In this thread I’m going to include some information an example of an appropriate indoor set up for an older Herman/russian. As much as it’s encouraged to have tortoises in a safe outdoor enclosure, I understand being from the uk myself, that some climates make it difficult to...

tortoiseforum.org

This includes lots of inspiration for an adult set up both indoors and out! The indoor bit has some good ideas to tackle indoor space whilst still providing the needed roaming room! Check comments too, I’m always adding to it, I have a huge back log I need to add

Enclosure inspiration

Howdy folks! Hope everyone is well! As you all know, I’m a big fan of making threads that cater more towards visual learners like myself, I’ve really been wanting to create a thread full of adult enclosure inspiration for a while now, I’ve managed to find some great references over time! I do...

tortoiseforum.org

Now that housing thread discusses an open top set up, which is fine for adult tortoises, but I will say, knowing how cold our uk winters get, for those who don’t brumate their temperate species, they can really struggle keeping their temperates where needed, a cover can come in really handy for maintaining your heat, the most efficient closed set ups are melamine/pvc vivs

Visual inspiration

Hi guys! I’ve had some lovely messages complimenting me on my care sheets I made for all the visuals they include! That makes me so happy because as a visual learner myself, that was my goal🥰 I’ve recently had some requests for some more visual inspiration for set ups that can house babies/...

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Lastly, this one here is good to go over and keep on hand, it’ll help you avoid the wrong bulbs, substrates, housing etc, I always encourage double checking purchases on the forum too before buying

Common keeping errors

Hello everyone! I’d been a long time lurker on this site long before joining just under a year ago now, over that time I’ve seen these husbandry issues come up time and time again, sometimes with dire consequences☹️ I thought this thread might serve as a good visual guide for these common...

tortoiseforum.org

Hope they come in handy friend! Feel free to post any links to the bark you found, we can give it a look over