Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just purchased a greek tortoise. For substrate I'm using ~ 60% topsoil/40% sand, as several websites have suggested. My tortoise started eating kale right away (yeah!) but he wanders onto the food plate which is about 4 inches in diameter and drags some of the substrate along. Do I need to be worried about a few pieces of dirt/sand on his food if he consumes them? I know too much of that can lead to compaction. If it's an issue, how do I keep the food plate clean?

Also, I've got a 1-2 inch deep plastic container with a quarter inch of water in it....is the container too tall?

Thanks so much for your help! I've done a fair bit of research, but until the "rubber hits the road" there are things you don't think of!

A few pieces of substrate are probably not an issue, it undoubtably occurs in the wild as well. However, if a few pieces of sand every day accumulate in the gastro/intestinal, it may be problematic. I would try to minimize it, maybe use a bigger diam. clay bowl, like you put flower pots on? When your tortoise is larger, they are probably less of a concern, but one hears stories of hatchlings getting into trouble,sometimes actually eating substrate! It sounds like you are doing things right, and it is good to be concerned and check the details. I would try to keep the food "clean", but I wouldn't be worried about an occassional substrate item, assuming your substrate in nontoxic etc. Sand and gravel are the most likely to lead to problems IF they start eating it in quantity...the organics usually pass through. My herd consumes a lot of grainy,gritty oyster shell and seems to have no problem with it. I would assume tortoises get essential minerals etc. by eating a limited amount of gravel and calcium chips, egg shells etc. Good luck, vic h.

I wouldnt think a small amount of soil and sand would cause problems. I know play sand is suggested as substrate because the grains are rounded and less likely to obstruct or cause internal damage, especiall for older adult torts. As far as water dish, make sure its comfortable for the critter to get in and out of. For my hatchling torts, is use the 1/4 to 1/2 inch tall flower pot dish that you use under the pots. Maybe six inches across. I use bigger ones according to the size of my tort. My redfoot living outside has a huge flower pot dish about 1 to 1.5 feet across and about 2 inches tall. My box turtles have no problems clambering in and soaking in a plastic small animal litter box thats about 2 to 3 inches tall. If the dish isnt too deep to worry about drowing, but maybe a bit too tall for them to easily get in, try putting stones about half as tall as the dish around the outside edge to help them climb in like steps. Maybe even one or two in the dish about half as tall to help them haul out. You can also look at the ramped water dishes most large petshop chains sell. You could even partially sink the dish into the substrate to help them get in.