Whether you are landscaping an outdoor enclosure or setting up an indoor red footed tortoise enclosure, it’s important to choose a safe substrate for tortoise. Mulch can be a safe substrate for tortoises if you choose the right mulch.
Is Mulch Safe for Tortoises?
Depending on the type of mulch, mulch can be safe for tortoise enclosures.
Mulch is a general term used for landscaping materials. Gardening mulch can range from rubber mulch, hardwood mulch, bark mulch, leaf mulch, glass mulch, lava rock, etc.
Depending on the exact need, mulch can be decorative, but it also serves a purpose, whether soil conservation, pest control or plant enrichment. Mulch is often used to help insulate a garden in winter to keep it warm, but also to cool it in the summer.
Some mulch is toxic for tortoises, whereas other mulch is safe for red foot tortoise enclosures.
Safe Mulch for Red Foot Tortoise
There are some types of mulch safe for tortoises.
Orchard bark and cypress mulch are probably the most popular and safest mulch for red foot tortoise enclosures. Both types of mulch will help maintain humidity for inside red foot tortoise enclosure, as well as create a natural substrate for digging.
Find cypress mulch and orchard bark (fir mulch) from your local garden shop or the nursery in a home improvement store. However, if you prefer a reptile-branded cypress mulch, trust Zoo Med Forest Bedding (100% cypress mulch) or Zoo Med Reptile Bark (orchard bark).
When soiled, you can “wash” orchard bark and cypress mulch. Just soak the substrate in a big bucket of water (pre-boiled if possible). Then let it dry. Bake the substrate in the oven to kill any parasites that may be living in the substrate.
When buying safe mulch for red foot tortoise enclosure you want to get natural mulch. Avoid any dyed mulch or mulch with any other additives.
Avoid Toxic Mulch Around Tortoises
Avoid using mulch for red footed tortoise enclosures that include additives, like fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides or dyes.
Do not use mulch made with cedar or pine. Cedar and pine woods emit toxic fumes that can cause skin and eye irritation, as well as respiratory problems.
Cocoa shell mulch isn’t as common, but it should be mentioned as an unsafe mulch for red foot tortoise enclosures. It is made of the husk of cocoa beans and contains concentrated amount of cocoa fats, theobromine and caffeine, which can be harmful.
For obvious health and safety reasons, avoid glass mulch and rubber mulch for red foot tortoise substrate. Glass can cut. Rubber can cause impaction.
