TORTOISE SUBSTRATE

Today, I want to talk about what to put on the floor /base of the tortoise housing. I say you can use soil as it is natural and as long as it has not had any pestisides etc your own garden soil can be used. Some like to use natural top soil. I tried laying turf, that was fun but you must spray it so that it does not dry out too quickly. I always say to put little stones around the water dish so that the little one cn get in and out easily and also when it gets out it won't get covered in soil.Also, the stones will be warm from the lamp so the tortoise will sometimes stay there for a while . Now , I have been asked about crushed shells as a substrate and whilst I have never tried it I don't think it is really natural.Also, it was near the lamp area of  the owner's housing and she watched her little one walk around but when it got to the shelled area it ran as fast as it could to the other side ! when she put her hand on it it was VERY hot so the little could not bask near the lamp and the food could not be put under the lamp either which is very important.  So, she removed it all imediately put some soil down and calm has been restored ! It reminded me of when we go to the beach and want to go down to the water, we all A)  Try and go fast because the stones hurt and are sometimes very hot; and B) look really silly because we don't bother to put flip flops on and walk like we have ants in our pants saying.. ouch ! ahh!  and probably some other unprintable words whilst still trying to look cool  calm and glam !! So, the moral is what ever substrate you are using, check that you can put your hand on it and keep it there if not  change it.......