When shopping for a safe substrate for Russian tortoises, you’ll find a variety to choose from. However, within the mix of safe bedding, you’ll also find many that are not so safe. If you’re looking for a mulch, you will find safe mulches that you can use in an Russian tortoise enclosure or around your tortoise, however not all mulch is treated equally. Cedar mulch is not a safe substrate to use in a tortoise enclosure.
Why is Cedar Mulch Toxic to Russian Tortoises?
Furniture is often made of cedar, as it is a strong wood that can withstand usage. In the process of making furniture and other items out of cedar wood, no bit is left unused. The cedar shavings are often collected and used as mulch in landscaping.
Cedar mulch is great for weed control. It’s also a great mulch for blocking sunlight that is needed for seed germination while trying to grow plants and flowers in your garden. Cedar is also a natural insect repellent, repelling ants, fleas, termites, roaches, crickets and slugs. Cedar can also be dyed to different shades and colors to coordinate your yard appeal.
These are all great benefits of using cedar in a garden or as a part of landscaping to beautify your yard. However, cedar has a strong odor and emits oil that can be very toxic when heated by the sun or an indoor heat source, like the heat bulb needed to keep your tortoise warm.
When used in landscaping, the oils and fumes can easily disperse, making cedar mulch slightly safer for adult tortoises who may come in contact with it. However, when using cedar mulch for an indoor Russian tortoise enclosure, the fumes are more concentrated and can be quite dangerous for tortoises confined in the enclosure.
New cedar tends to emit more toxic fumes. Old cedar that has already been sun-baked emit less fumes.
Safe Substrate for Russian Tortoise
There are many safe substrate options to use in a baby tortoise enclosure or around adult tortoises.
