Appropriate substrate for a Spur thighed

Tusken · 22-07-2011, 02:49 PM

Hey guys!
It's been a long while since i've posted but i have a quick question for you about substrates.
I'm helping a friend sort out a tortoise table for a baby spur-thighed and i was just wondering what substrates are appropriate? I suggested top soil (as has worked well for my Hermanns) but there's a concern about smell and mess, so I was just wondering if there was a different substrate that would be ok that maybe have slightly less of a smell issue? I've seen some pictures of wood chippings and similar dry substrates, so would something like that be ok?

Thanks for the help chaps!
Toby

jeannette37 · 22-07-2011, 04:54 PM

Hi i have two spur thighs and they were on a mix of 50/50 top soil and playsand but the one is rubbing his eyes so im going to empty there table and try 70/30 think the sand is affecting him,if that dosen't work will definalty try 100% sterilised top soil

Tusken · 22-07-2011, 05:11 PM

I completely agree that topsoil is best, i have 2 Hermanns on topsoil and have never had a problem with them or with the smell. I was just wondering what the other possibilities for a substrate might be, as other people in my friends house believe that topsoil will smell too badly and are unwilling to have a table full of it, hence the search for alternatives.

soYUsae · 22-07-2011, 06:02 PM

I use spaghnum peat moss (bottom) and cypress mulch (top layer)...then after a while, I'll mix it all around. Works perfect for my Sulcata.

Tusken · 23-07-2011, 11:25 AM

Thanks for the suggestion soYUsae, it's definitely worth considering. I must confess i don't know much about cypress mulch or about sulcata's, but does anyone know if it would it translate as a substrate effectively from an African species to a Mediterranean species?

22-07-2011, 02:49 PM	#1
Tusken Junior Member Egg Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Basingstoke, Hampshire Posts: 13	Appropriate substrate for a Spur thighed Hey guys! It's been a long while since i've posted but i have a quick question for you about substrates. I'm helping a friend sort out a tortoise table for a baby spur-thighed and i was just wondering what substrates are appropriate? I suggested top soil (as has worked well for my Hermanns) but there's a concern about smell and mess, so I was just wondering if there was a different substrate that would be ok that maybe have slightly less of a smell issue? I've seen some pictures of wood chippings and similar dry substrates, so would something like that be ok? Thanks for the help chaps! Toby

22-07-2011, 04:54 PM	#2
jeannette37 Member Juvenile Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: worcester,Worcestershire Posts: 815	Hi i have two spur thighs and they were on a mix of 50/50 top soil and playsand but the one is rubbing his eyes so im going to empty there table and try 70/30 think the sand is affecting him,if that dosen't work will definalty try 100% sterilised top soil __________________ I don't own torts they own me

22-07-2011, 05:11 PM	#3
Tusken Junior Member Egg Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Basingstoke, Hampshire Posts: 13	I completely agree that topsoil is best, i have 2 Hermanns on topsoil and have never had a problem with them or with the smell. I was just wondering what the other possibilities for a substrate might be, as other people in my friends house believe that topsoil will smell too badly and are unwilling to have a table full of it, hence the search for alternatives.

22-07-2011, 06:02 PM	#4
soYUsae Member Egg Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: California Posts: 74	I use spaghnum peat moss (bottom) and cypress mulch (top layer)...then after a while, I'll mix it all around. Works perfect for my Sulcata.

23-07-2011, 11:25 AM	#5
Tusken Junior Member Egg Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Basingstoke, Hampshire Posts: 13	Thanks for the suggestion soYUsae, it's definitely worth considering. I must confess i don't know much about cypress mulch or about sulcata's, but does anyone know if it would it translate as a substrate effectively from an African species to a Mediterranean species?

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