Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am getting a 5 month Leopard next week and read so much contradictory info on bedding. Alfalfa pellets seem OK but some say if they eat too much they get too much protein. Anyone use Timothy hay pellets? I would think protein content much lower.

Thanks, Ben

Until it is scientifically proven that plant protiens are harmful to tortoises, it is just hear say as to any problem. In the wild , do you really think a tortoise avoids plants with a high protien content? The only problem with using these as bedding(rabbit pellets included) is the fact they are dusty and can grow mold from the tortoises' urine.
Mike

Thanks for the reply Mike. What do you or would you use for bedding? Is there something better?

Thanks, Ben

I have a pair of 9-month old leopard, for now when they are in their indoor enclosure I use towels. It's clean, absorbent and gives them good footing. I know this is a temporary fix when they are small but it has been working well for me. I buy the towels from Costco and change it out every 2 days and wash it in hot water with bleach.

I wouldn't suggest pellets of any sort. They don't offer stable
footing for development of leg muscles. Imagine walking on
a surface that constantly gave in an unpredictable direction
each step. Like the other post said, dusty and very prone to
mold. On any reasonable sized enclosure they require a lot of
pellets which are heavy to deal with and dispose of regularly.
I tried it once in a 300 gallon tank, I needed 2 big bags to
get a thin layer and it was a fiasco not to mention the dust.
Luckily that was at the old house, not here! lol!
My absolute favorite bedding when my tort was small was
Lizard Litter Kenaf Plant variety (never use the walnut shells),
I really liked that stuff. Mine's outside 24/7/365 now but
if I had a hatchling that's what I'd use.