The box turtle is an amazing pet that needs lots of care and attention from its owners because they have become endangered and their species needs to be conserved so that they do not become extinct. The box turtles need proper care when they are kept in captivity and also all things should be handled in a proper manner in order to make the box turtle comfortable in their new home.
The box turtles are sensitive in nature so it takes time for them to settle in their new environment. In this article, we will discuss the best 5 substrates that are available in the market for the box turtle. The substrates should be comfortable and also do not cause any sort of problem to the box turtle.
Contents
What type of substrate is the best type of substrate for the box turtle?
The best substrate for the box turtle is the one that can make the box turtle comfortable and also it has all sorts of features that makes the box turtle feel that they are in their natural environment and also that is easily available. The qualities that should be present in the best quality substrate area as follows:-
- The substrate should be such that it makes the box turtle feel that it is in the natural environment.
- The substrate should be able to retain humidity or must have high humidity absorbing capacity.
- There should not be any skin problem or infection caused due to the substrate to the box turtle.
- The substrate should be natural, non-toxic and healthy for the box turtle.
- The substrate should be kind of loose so that the box turtle can burrow into the substrate.
- Soft textured substrate for the comfort of the box turtle
These are the various features or the qualities that should be present in the best quality of substrate for the box turtle and being a responsible owner you should keep in mind all these features so that the proper type of substrate you are able to bring for your box turtle. As only the best quality substrate will be healthy for your box turtle and only then they will be able to live a happy and healthy life inside the captivity with their owners.
Thw 5 Best Substrates for the Box Turtle (Reviews)
The list of best 5 substrates for the box turtles that are available in the market and has all the qualities that should be there is a good substrate are as follows:-
1. Zoo Med Eco Earth Compressed Coconut Fibre Substrate
The Zoo Med Eco earth compressed coconut fibre substrate is one of the best substrates for the box turtle as it is also recommended by many experts due to the various features that it offers to the box turtle and are suitable for them. The best thing about this Zoo Med substrate is that it is completely natural as it is made from the husks of the coconuts and also it can be safely recycled or composted in your garden. They are usually used for animals or pets that need a high level of humidity as they can easily retain humidity and that is necessary for the box turtle.
It not only retains a high level of humidity but also helps in breaking down the waste products and even the odour inside the captivity. This makes the Zoo Med Eco earth compressed coconut fibre substrate best for the box turtle as it also contains hydro balls that create the proper drainage system through the substrates. These are sold in the form of earth bricks and then make around 7 to 8 litres of substrate. The reviews regarding this substrate are amazing and even the box turtle feels comfortable in this natural substrate by Zoo Med.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Value for money
- Natural substrate
- Easy to clean
- Retain humidity
- Breaks down odour and even waste products
- Naturally compostable
Cons:
- Sometimes they smell really bad if not cleaned properly
2. Mountain Valley Seed Company Minute Soil
The Mountain valley seed company minute soil is also one of the best substrates for the box turtle as it is also made naturally from the coconut coir. This substrate is apt for the burrowing purpose by the box turtle and it is also good for retaining humidity that is very necessary for the box turtle. This Mountain valley seed company minute soil is organic and also free of fertilizer soil that is good for the box turtle as it will not cause any sort of problem or issues for them. There are no unwanted chemicals that are toxic for the box turtle so that is why this substrate should be preferred by the box turtles.
Another important thing about this substrate is that it comes at an affordable price and the owners of the box turtle can easily buy this Mountain valley seed company minute soil for them. They will easily break down the waste and that is a good thing for a good quality substrate for the box turtle. The reviews regarding this substrate are positive because it is pocket friendly and also because it offers so many features to the box turtle and they are also comfortable with this substrate as it is natural and also is not irritant to the skin of the box turtle.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Substrate is budget-friendly
- Retains humidity
- Naturally compostable
- No chemicals used
- Organic substrate
Cons:
- Does not last long
3. Galapagos Terrarium Sphagnum Moss
The Galapagos Terrarium Sphagnum Moss is one of the best substrates because of the long-lasting feature that it offers to the users. Another important quality of this substrate is that it has high humidity absorbing capacity that is essential for the box turtle. Even this substrate is sustainable and also ecologically regulated making it fit for the box turtle. As we know it holds the moisture quite nicely because the box turtle needs high levels of humidity inside its captivity.
The Galapagos Terrarium Sphagnum Moss is dyed green so it gives a natural look to the substrate and the dye used is safe and non-toxic for the box turtle so no need to worry. The Galapagos Terrarium Sphagnum Moss have all sorts of features that are necessary for the substrate of the box turtle and most importantly it comes at an affordable price. The reason it is budget-friendly makes this substrate a popular substrate and also it is easily available in the market. The reviews regarding this Galapagos Terrarium Sphagnum Moss are also positive and also the box turtle is comfortable with this substrate as it does not cause any sort of problem to them.
Pros:
- Affordable price
- Ecologically regulated
- Absorbs high level of humidity
- Non- toxic substrate
- Long-lasting substrate
Cons:
- The dye sometimes sticks to the body of the box turtle
4. Reptile Prime Coconut Fibre Substrate
The Reptile Prime coconut fibre substrate also comes under the list of best 5 substrates for the box turtle because it is an optimal substrate for them and that is the reason it has gained popularity in the market. The Reptile Prime coconut fibre substrate is also made up of natural thing that is the coconut fibre which offers a soft and also sandy texture. The substrate comes in loose condition and not in the form of brick as in this stateless amount of dust is created and they are known for the dust-free substrates. This substrate is also known for breaking down the waste naturally which is very good for the box turtle.
Also, this substrate is known for spot cleaning as the company encourages this in order to control the odour and also this helps in making the substrate last longer as compared to other substrates. The price is affordable of this coconut fibre substrate as compared to many other coconut fibre substrates that are available in the market. Another important feature of this substrate is humidity retaining capacity and that is why they are best for the box turtles. The reviews regarding this substrate are also amazing and the owners and also the box turtle both are satisfied with this Reptile Prime coconut fibre substrate because it provides comfort to your box turtle and not any sort of problem or skin irritation.
Pros:
- Retains and promotes humidity
- Soft and dust-free texture
- Compostable nature
- Easy to use
- Affordable price
- Easy to clean
- Natural substrate
Cons:
- There are the presence of mites sometimes inside these substrates if not cleaned properly
5. Zoo Med New Zealand Sphagnum Moss
The Zoo Med New Zealand Sphagnum Moss is one of the best substrates for the box turtle because it is the best-reviewed moss substrate that is used for the box turtle. The reason for its popularity is that it holds lots of moisture and also the moisture that it holds stays in the substrate for a long time, than any other type of moss. There are natural compounds present in this moss that prevents the decomposing of it due to the humid environment. The Zoo Med New Zealand Sphagnum Moss is an amazing substrate for the box turtle because they are comfortable in it and also this is a natural substrate.
Another important feature of this substrate is that it has a good drainage system and also it is harvested sustainably and also there is no sort of chemicals, dyes or additives used in these substrates. You can also do daily misting as it has a high capacity of holding humidity. Another thing is that they possess anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties and that is why they do not decompose in humid habitat.
The Zoo Med New Zealand Sphagnum Moss has the long-lasting capability and is organic in nature. Also, this substrate is apt for the digging purpose for the box turtles as they love digging. The reviews as we know regarding this substrate are positive as both the owners and the box turtle are happy with this substrate because of the various features that it offers to the box turtle.
Pros:
- Free of chemicals and dyes
- Soft texture
- Sustainably harvested
- Organic or natural substrate
- Washable and reusable
- High moisture retaining capacity
- Lasts longer
Cons:
- Not so affordable
These are the best 5 substrates that are available in the market for the box turtle as they have every quality that is needed in the best type of substrate. The box turtle will live a happy and healthy life inside the captivity if they will get the best quality substrate as a substrate forms a very important part of their terrarium so you need to be careful while choosing a good quality substrate for them. A bad substrate can cause a lot of problems and even irritation for your box turtle and this may lead to stress and many diseases in them.
Conclusion:
The box turtle as we know can get stressed very easily if you do not take proper care of them or if they are not happy inside the captivity because of the environment. So in order to make them comfortable, happy and also healthy, you need to make sure to provide them with everything that is needed for their healthy environment and does not be careless for them in any case.
As we know that the substrate plays a very important part in the life of the box turtle so choosing the best substrate for them is a must and you should have all the knowledge regarding what qualities are there in the best quality of substrate for the box turtle and which type of substrate is comfortable for the box turtle. The box turtle will be very happy if they will be comfortable inside the captivity and also because when you will start understanding them and also when you both will have bonding with each other. You will be very happy on seeing your box turtle happy and living a happy and healthy life inside the captivity.
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