Tortoise Substrates

What is the best substrate for tortoises?

The best and most popular type of substrate for tortoises is soil. Whereas other reptiles prefer to be kept on sand, e.g. Bearded Dragons, tortoises thrive on soil. This soil can be mixed with other natural substrates like coconut coir or peat moss to increase humidity in your tortoise’s enclosure. You can use garden soil as substrate for your tortoise, but this is often packed with fertilisers that may harm your tortoise. Instead, it’s best to use a specially blended tortoise soil. By doing this, you’ll make sure you won’t unknowingly add any nasty substances to your tortoise’s enclosure.

How deep should my tortoise substrate be?

We recommend that you provide your tortoise with a layer of substrate that is at least 5cm (or 2in) thick. If you’re able to add more substrate to your tortoise’s enclosure, then do so – the more substrate the better! If you have an open-top tortoise table, however, make sure you don’t add so much substrate that your tortoise would be able to easily climb out and escape.

How often should I change my tortoise substrate?

Most tortoise substrates are designed to absorb waste and reduce any odour around your tortoise enclosure/tortoise table. That said, after significant use they will become damp, soggy, and smelly. If your tortoise is left in this kind of environment for too long, then they may develop shell/skin conditions, as well as respiratory diseases. This is why it’s important to regularly change your tortoise substrate. We recommend that you completely change your substrate every six months, though there’s no harm in doing it more regularly.