Reptile & Amphibian Forums

expecting my first little tortosie on Friday morning. I am getting a C.B.B herman tort. I have got a 2x2 tub and heat emiter and uvb lighting. Also 2 shallow dishes. I am trying to decide what substrate to use. What substrate do you all use for baby hermans?? Your help is appreciated!

I'd just use paper towels.
I once used newpaper in a 3x4 foot terrarrium, and that was a bit of a pain in the butt. However, with a little enclosure like that, paper towels would be a cinch. Just fold a length of paper towel into triple or quadruple ply squares and over lap them in the bottom.

Its less likely to be eaten like playsand (the typical substrate that I see). Easy to notice any of the larger parasites in his waste. Less likely to build up bateria and other parasites. Etc etc. Its safer, really.

May not look natural, or as pretty, but for a new little friend, I'd make sure he was as safe as possible. Plus its really less stuff for you to worry about in your daily chores (cleaning, changing water, cleaning food dish, etc).

I have two hermanns and I have kept them on indoor/outdoor carpet since they were babies. It can be cleaned easily with a hose.

I use and 50/50 playsand/soil mixture for my torts. 2x2 is pretty small to create a temperature gradient, I would look at getting something bigger(at least longer) so that you can provide a variety of temps for your little guy.

HTH
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Adam
http://anraviary.cjb.net
0.0 African Sidenecked, 0.0 Northern Diamondback Terrapin, 0.1 Redfoot, 0.1 Sulcatta, 1.0 Western Hognose, 1.0 Crested Gecko, 0.1 Mali Uromastyx

I have two hatchling Hermann's, and I would suggest keeping yours on paper towels until you've had him at least a few weeks, so you can monitor his urine and fecal output--the paper towels make it really easy to see, even when it's a very small tortoise. Also, if you end up with a worm problem, paper towels are simple to change, making it more likely you'll keep everything clean.

After that, if you want to change substrates, either a mix of topsoil/play sand or aspen works well. I usually use aspen, because my indoor enclosures are in a spot where I can't have the weight of dirt and sand. The torts aren't interested in eating the aspen, and it's easy to make little hills and valleys with it to make their enclosure more stimulating.
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Sohni
Northern California

0.1 Baja de L.A. Rosy Boa
0.1 Okeetee Corn Snake
1.1 Rubber Boas
1.0 Leopard Gecko
0.0.2 Hermann's Tortoises
plus my kids' herps:
0.0.1 California King Snake
1.0 Mexican Rosy Boa
0.1 Leopard Gecko