Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am the proud caretaker of a now 5 month old Eastern Hermanns tortoise. The tortoise is doing exceptional, as I did extensive research prior to aquiring it...The tortoise is currently on paper towel and shredded newspaper as a substrate...My children (4 boys), are dying to see him in a more natural environment, (they feel he would be even happier..)...I have purchased ecco earth and play sand...How long do I need to wait before I can use this substate??? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!! What is the best substrate mixture???

Thank you!
Dean

I don't know if others would agree with me but I used paper towels on the bottom and put a mixture of hay on top. I used Orchard, Timothy, and Bermuda. They seemed to like it since they could munch on it and graze on it, but they were also able to burrow into it and hide when they wanted to.

Mixing the eco earth and the sand 50:50 would be fine. You can switch him over as soon as he has gotten a well check up and you know he is healthy and worm free.