What bedding is best for Russian Tortoises?

[SunniRaee]

Need a little assistance on what type of bedding should I use for my two Russian tortoise babies? I keep hearing alot of different things but I'm still not 100%. I dont want anything that is toxic, easy for them to swallow or get in their eyes. I also dont want anything that will mold fast or create mites.

Right now I'm using Aspen bedding, which I find myself changing once every week in a half.

 

[Yvonne G]

My substrate of choice for all species is orchid bark, the small particles (it usually comes in three sizes, fine, medium and large)

 

[SunniRaee]

My substrate of choice for all species is orchid bark, the small particles (it usually comes in three sizes, fine, medium and large)

I will look that up.

 

[daniellenc]

Aspen should also not be used at all ever!! Cypress or orchid bark work perfectly and aren’t messy. Also mites aren’t created by substrate and instead brought in by infected animals so you should be safe there.

 

[Tom]

I prefer coco coir for little one, so they can burrow down into it and make a little micro climate for themselves, and fine grade orchid bark for larger ones. Use a thick layer of either, 3-4", and you can get both in bulk from a garden center MUCH cheaper than at a pet store.

 

[Oogway the russian tort]

i mix 50/50 mix of cypress mulch and organic potting soil. Aspen isn't that good of a bedding since when it gets wet it can rot and get all nasty,

 

[TechnoCheese]

i mix 50/50 mix of cypress mulch and organic potting soil. Aspen isn't that good of a bedding since when it gets wet it can rot and get all nasty,

I definitely wouldn’t use potting soil. You can never know the composition, and it gets muddy when wet. I would use peat moss or coco coir instead with the cypress mulch

 

[TobyAndMarissa]

I use hay for Tobys bedding, according to the vet, if he has dirt in there he might try to eat it and choke. Also hay is not as messy as dirt.

 

[TechnoCheese]

I use hay for Tobys bedding, according to the vet, if he has dirt in there he might try to eat it and choke. Also hay is not as messy as dirt.

You definitely should never use hay. It gets moldy when damp, and you need it damp. Please remove it, and replace it with peat moss, coco coir, fine grade orchid bark(by far the best), or fine grade cypress mulch.
Please give these links a read
Russian Tortoise Care Sheet https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Russian-Tortoise-Care-Sheet.80698/
Beginner Mistakes https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Beginner-Mistakes.45180/

 

[TobyAndMarissa]

Okay, thanks.

 

[Jay Bagley]

I would definitely have to agree, hay does not work well. I Googled tortoise care before I came here and one of the pictures that I saw had a tortoise enclosure full of hay. So that's what I put in his hide at that time. It got very dusty and seemed to irritate my tortoises eyes.

 

[TobyAndMarissa]

Yeah, actually my tort got a eye infection because of the hay dust. I will most likely change his bedding pretty soon

 

[Jay Bagley]

Yeah, actually my tort got a eye infection because of the hay dust. I will most likely change his bedding pretty soon

Good call!!! Thankfully mine didn't get an eye infection, but every time he came out of his hide he was blinking a lot and kind of squinting.

 

[TobyAndMarissa]

Yeah my tortoises eyes were swollen shut

 

[Jay Bagley]

That sounds horrible, yeah I would definitely change it out as soon as possible.

 

[TobyAndMarissa]

Yup definitely

 

[BentZero]

Is this acceptable orchid bark?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CFKJI3I/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20