Substrate

**LittleWiseOwl** · 03-07-2011, 02:46 PM

Now, I keep seeing cypress mulch as a common substrate but then I commonly see Tegus becoming impacted because they think the mulch is delicious...

What are other good substrate choices which do not mold easily, hold moisture and easily burrowed in?

**Angelrose** · 03-07-2011, 04:02 PM

Myself, as you mentioned and because of bugs, I stopped using Cypress Mulch. I used to use it and mix it with organic top soil.

Now, I have been using the 'Bed o Beast' Coconut fibre mixed with the Coconut husk. It so much better, imo.

and if they do eat it, it's harmless.

**LittleWiseOwl** · 03-07-2011, 05:10 PM

So, you use a bed-a-Beast and mix it with coconut husk... but by "coconut husk" do you mean the fibre or chips?

Chips

or

Fibre?

Sorry, lol I'm just trying to verify because this sounds like a better idea when compared to cypress mulch

**Pikey** · 03-07-2011, 06:01 PM

you can also use hay/straw as a bedding (i have two tegus that seem to enjoy eating it)
i used to use soil/sand/coco fiber mix too.

**LittleWiseOwl** · 03-07-2011, 06:36 PM

I was under the impression that hay/straw easily grew mold when used in a humid enclosure.

**Angelrose** · 03-07-2011, 11:30 PM

I can't say anything about the straw/hay except that I have seen it used on outside enclosures. Pikey will come back and tell you that part.

The husk looks like the one I use
The fibre comes in bricks and you put it in a bucket with water and it expands and makes a lot more. I have to spray it down more often but that's okay with me.

I use mostly all fibre and just like 1/3 of the husks. I fell in love with it. So much easier in every way ..imo

**LittleWiseOwl** · 03-08-2011, 01:26 AM

Thank you.

**Pikey** · 03-08-2011, 02:11 AM

with good lighting the hay/straw will last about a month before needing to be changed maybe a little longer, but i change out about every month.
i haven't noticed any mold at all, but it does get all ground up with them walking/digging/moving it and then it needs to be scraped off the bottom when you clean it, but i just use a hard plastic dust pan to get it all up (it's not as bad as it sounds)