Russian tortoise bedding Q?

Question

hey i was wondering whats the best bedding for a russian tortoise, and how often does it need to be changed

Answer 1

The ideal is considered to be a 50/50 mix of sand and garden loam. Since garden loam is hard to find here, substitute Bed-A-Beast or other brand of coconut coir. Others have used peat moss....but it tends to be too dusty.

Keep in mind that the substrate shouldn't be bone dry. In the wild they live in very arid conditions. But their burrows have up to 70% humidity!

Other poor choices are: newspaper (easy to clean); rabbit pellets (tend to dehydrate the tort and are about the worst of the substrates). Also can get moldy fast if wet.); Care Fresh bedding (a recycled newspaper product in a pellet form) Alfalfa hay is too high in protein (torts love to nibble on it).

Golden Turtle

Answer 2

Russian Tortoise Bedding

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Russian tortoise bedding Q?
hey i was wondering whats the best bedding for a russian tortoise, and how often does it need to be changed

Answer 4

Sand is always a good option, mixed half and half with garden loam if you can find it. Coconut coir works well, I believe it's called Bed-A-Beast. Peat moss also is good but it's dusty. Don't use newspaper, rabbit pellets, or alfalfa hay because it's too high in protein.
As far as changing it, I'd say at least once every two weeks.

Answer 5

http://www.tortoisetrust.org and http://www.russiantortoise.org (or is it .com?) both recommend a mix of 50/50 by weight of clean play sand and organic matter- usually coconut coir (Bed-A-Beast). 2-4" layer. Hint- start with a lot less sand than you think you'll need and add it in slowly.

This gives you the ability to carefully tune the humidity to the about 70% overall they like.

If you pick up messes and waste food, and give it an occasional stir, it ought to last 6 months or more.

Answer 6

Russian torts do best with at least 4 inches of bed a beast/playsand. Keep it moist enough to make a ball of it in your hand but not be able to squeeze water from it. You need to spot clean the poop as you see it ( I clean at least once a day) and change the substrate every 3-4 months.
http://www.russiantortoise.org/care_sheet.htm