Substrate for Marginated Tortoises

Beetlebabe · 21-07-2006, 11:54 AM

Hello Im new and was hoping i could get some oppinions about the best substrate for my new tortoise.

I have read that a 50:50 sand/soil mix is best, do you agree with this? If so which sand is best, as ive read bad things about this cali sand (or is it ok when mixed with soil?)

Also with this, should you mix the two together, have them in layers or seperate areas of his 'house' ?

Sorry about all the questions, but i just want whats best for him!

Henry-flash · 21-07-2006, 11:56 AM

Welcome to the forum.

You should use play sand mixed with soil. Hemp is another good substrate.

imported_Lowe · 21-07-2006, 12:52 PM

Play sand and top soil in a 50/50 mix

Note that any other sand or soil isn't really suitable. Play sand is filtered for glass and other sharp nasties, and top soil doesn't have any fertilisers in it and is sterilised. Hope that helps

sandy · 21-07-2006, 01:12 PM

Tortoises in the weather we have at the moment, they should be outside, where garden soil
is fine for them. In a sure enclosure of course.
The UV they get from the sun is far better than any artificial heat/uv we can provide.
They also become totally different tortoises outside, more charactor.

Beetlebabe · 21-07-2006, 05:13 PM

Thanx for the replies

Yes at the minute he is outdoors in the garden, in a pen'd off area and he loves the grass more than the soil areas... but I am just tryng to prepare for the cooler times !

I assume this play sand can be picked up from B&Q or somewhere like that?

Henry-flash · 21-07-2006, 05:25 PM

Yes I got mine from Focus

21-07-2006, 11:54 AM	#1
Beetlebabe Junior Member Egg Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Midlands Posts: 5	Substrate for Marginated Tortoises Hello Im new and was hoping i could get some oppinions about the best substrate for my new tortoise. I have read that a 50:50 sand/soil mix is best, do you agree with this? If so which sand is best, as ive read bad things about this cali sand (or is it ok when mixed with soil?) Also with this, should you mix the two together, have them in layers or seperate areas of his 'house' ? Sorry about all the questions, but i just want whats best for him!

21-07-2006, 11:56 AM	#2
Henry-flash Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Cheshire Posts: 9,304	Welcome to the forum. You should use play sand mixed with soil. Hemp is another good substrate. __________________ Peter Keeping: Testudo hermanni, Testudo graeca (graeca & ibera ), Testudo horsfieldi, Astrochelys radiata, Malacochersus tornieri and Kinixys belliana. The North West Tortoise Group

21-07-2006, 01:12 PM	#4
sandy Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kent UK Posts: 12,146	Tortoises in the weather we have at the moment, they should be outside, where garden soil is fine for them. In a sure enclosure of course. The UV they get from the sun is far better than any artificial heat/uv we can provide. They also become totally different tortoises outside, more charactor. __________________ < > 60+, keeping ibera, graeca and box turtles \0/ /_\ http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/tortoisefriends

21-07-2006, 05:25 PM	#6
Henry-flash Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Cheshire Posts: 9,304	Yes I got mine from Focus __________________ Peter Keeping: Testudo hermanni, Testudo graeca (graeca & ibera ), Testudo horsfieldi, Astrochelys radiata, Malacochersus tornieri and Kinixys belliana. The North West Tortoise Group

21-07-2006, 12:52 PM	#3
imported_Lowe Member Hatchling Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Walsall Posts: 652	Play sand and top soil in a 50/50 mix Note that any other sand or soil isn't really suitable. Play sand is filtered for glass and other sharp nasties, and top soil doesn't have any fertilisers in it and is sterilised. Hope that helps

21-07-2006, 05:13 PM	#5
Beetlebabe Junior Member Egg Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Midlands Posts: 5	Thanx for the replies Yes at the minute he is outdoors in the garden, in a pen'd off area and he loves the grass more than the soil areas... but I am just tryng to prepare for the cooler times ! I assume this play sand can be picked up from B&Q or somewhere like that?

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