You can find wood shavings, like aspen and pine at most pet stores. These shavings are often sold for furry creatures, like hamsters, mice and gerbils. People also tend to purchase wood shavings in larger, bulk quantities for outdoor dog kennels. And sometimes you’ll see wood shavings marketed for reptiles. However, pine shavings are not a safe substrate for reptiles, tortoises included. Aspen shavings are often used with pet snakes, but when housing a tortoise, it’s important to determine if the bedding will be safe for your pet.
Why are Pine Shavings Toxic to Tortoises?
Pine has a strong odor and emits oil that can be very toxic when heated by the sun or an indoor heat source. When housing a Russian tortoise in an indoor enclosure, the fumes are concentrated inside the enclosure. The tortoise can not get away.
The oils and fumes from pine shavings can cause respiratory problems, skin irritation and eye problems.
Safe Substrate for Russian Tortoise
So, instead of using pine shavings for Russian tortoise, select a safe bedding use in a tortoise enclosure.
Look for a substrate that will hold humidity and is easily digestible if ingested.
Toxic Substrate for Russian Tortoises
When shopping around for a safe substrate for Russian tortoise enclosure, avoid these substrates.
- Cedar mulch
- Cocoa Shell Mulch
- Pine shavings
- Soil with fertilizer, perlite or any additives
Other substrates to avoid using in a Russian tortoise enclosure include:
- Calcium-based sand – mix with other substrates like soil or peat moss can make calci-sand safer, but alone, it can cause impaction concerns if ingested.
- Hay – easily molds
- Newspaper
- Pellets – paper pellets and wood pellets can harm developing muscles and bones
- Play sand – play sand can be mixed in with soil, but it is not suggested to use 100% play sand as it can cause impaction concerns if ingested
- Walnut Shells
