Reptile Substrate

Different Substrates for Pet Reptiles.

In biology a substrate is considered a surface an organism grows on or is attached to; therefore a reptile substrate is the surface where it will grow and live. Reptile substrate is a fancy way of saying dirt, wood chips, moss, or something of the like that acts as bedding. Reptiles in the wild live on natural substrate such as dirt forest floor, moss, wood, or sand in the desert. This natural element allows them to walk along the surface, burrow, and have a home.

Since reptiles are used to these natural earthen materials it makes sense that a pet reptile would require similar options within their own vivarium. If you are going to have a pet reptile you have to ensure that you offer as natural a home as possible with heat, air, food, water, plants, and substrate. A failure to add substrate to your enclosure would be improper care. You are responsible for your reptile and its health. The type of substrate required by your pet reptile will depend on what your pet needs. Desert dwellers like rattle snakes, lizards, komodo dragons, and others require sandy surfaces for the reptile substrate. Sand and a mixture of dirt also work to form a place for the reptile to burrow.

Forest reptiles like those found in a rainforest are used to branches, leaves, rocks, moss, and grass. Snakes, amphibians, turtles, lizards, and numerous forest reptiles can use these substrates mentioned. You may have a mixture of substrates or you could go with one type over the other. The point is you must have the right substrate for the reptile you own.

Luckily your pet reptile care guide will help you find out which reptile substrate you require. These care guides will go over the habitat you need to recreate to make your reptile healthy. There are some reptiles that may be unhealthy or have trouble with hygiene, in which a fake carpet would be better than sand or wood.

If you are raising your pet reptile from the egg, you will require a different substrate all together. Vermiculite is a large, insulating style substrate. Hatchlings and eggs will be warmer and thus incubate better in this type of substrate. Though it is not natural to the regular world, it does recreate the same effect.

Reptile substrate for purchase will come in a variety of sizes. You have small bags that are a few pounds and larger ones that will last you for weeks. The size of the bag of reptile substrate will determine the cost. Typically you will discover reptile substrate is £5 to £30 based on the type and size. The larger bags are a better value if you intend on changing out the substrate often. They will last you for a longer amount of time than the smaller options that may only work for one month.

Reusable substrate is another option in which you can wash and bake the substrate once in order to use it again. The baking will eliminate any hygiene problems that could occur.