Thoughts on Cedar or Pine Shavings?

[RandyTortoise]

Does anyone have thoughts on using cedar or pine shavings as substrate for Leopard Tortoises? I want to increase the size of my pen significantly and my local feed store has horse bedding (cedar as well as pine) in large bags. Seems like it would work fine? Am I missing anything?

 

[Tom]

Does anyone have thoughts on using cedar or pine shavings as substrate for Leopard Tortoises? I want to increase the size of my pen significantly and my local feed store has horse bedding (cedar as well as pine) in large bags. Seems like it would work fine? Am I missing anything?

Both are totally unsuitable and dangerous. Cedar emits toxic fumes. That is why they make cedar lined closets and chests out of it. The pine is kiln dried and this mostly removes the toxic oils and fumes, but it is still not a good substrate for a tortoise.

Any kind of shavings are meant to be dry and absorbent. This is fine for mammals in a barn or horse stall, but not what is needed for a tortoise. You need damp substrate for a tortoise to help keep them hydrated and also to keep the dust down. A tortoise is breathing the air down there all day and night while a horse stands quite a ways above the ground most of every day.

For large enclosures, I find it best to use the native dirt in your area, assuming there is nothing toxic in it. If you need some actual substrate, cypress mulch can be found at most chain hardware stores in bulk fairly cheaply. Sometimes you can buy it by the yard at large landscaping suppliers, and I'll bet the ones in IL are stocked up and ready to go this time of year.

 

[RandyTortoise]

Both are totally unsuitable and dangerous. Cedar emits toxic fumes. That is why they make cedar lined closets and chests out of it. The pine is kiln dried and this mostly removes the toxic oils and fumes, but it is still not a good substrate for a tortoise.

Any kind of shavings are meant to be dry and absorbent. This is fine for mammals in a barn or horse stall, but not what is needed for a tortoise. You need damp substrate for a tortoise to help keep them hydrated and also to keep the dust down. A tortoise is breathing the air down there all day and night while a horse stands quite a ways above the ground most of every day.

For large enclosures, I find it best to use the native dirt in your area, assuming there is nothing toxic in it. If you need some actual substrate, cypress mulch can be found at most chain hardware stores in bulk fairly cheaply. Sometimes you can buy it by the yard at large landscaping suppliers, and I'll bet the ones in IL are stocked up and ready to go this time of year.

Great advice. I really appreciate it. I have had tortoises for years and always used the prepared Repti-Bark so was considering other options as I expand.

 

[Tom]

Great advice. I really appreciate it. I have had tortoises for years and always used the prepared Repti-Bark so was considering other options as I expand.

I use the bulk version of Repti-Bark. I get 2.0 cu. ft. bags for $12. If I want a whole pallet, I can get it for 10% off. I should probably do that, given how much I use every year. I just used two bags tonight. Orchid bark is the best substrate, but most people have a tough time finding out outside of the West coast. Here is the bag. Maybe it can be special ordered for you? Someone else mentioned that they found a way to get this brand shipped to them, but didn't mention how or from what company. Even with regular shipping, it's still cheaper than Repti-Bark.