After publishing our article going over using coco coir substrate for a tortoise, we started to notice more and more people reaching out to ask about using topsoil for tortoises.
Standard topsoil is a very popular substrate option for a pet tortoise and it is one of the more commonly used options out there.
Due to there being a number of different ways you can prep top soil for tortoises we often see people debating the advantages and disadvantages of different types of topsoil.
Due to there being some heated discussions on social media about using topsoil for tortoises recently, we have decided to publish this article to try and offer an impartial look at the various ways that you can use topsoil for your pet tortoise to try and help as many of our readers as possible.
Is Top Soil Good For Tortoises?
The biggest question that we see people asking about topsoil is whether or not it is actually good for tortoises.
There are a number of factors that you need to consider when trying to answer this question but the two most important ones are the nutrient content of the soil and the particle size.
The nutrient content of topsoil can vary quite a bit depending on where the topsoil came from and how it was processed.
If you are using topsoil that you have collected yourself, it is important to make sure that the topsoil you are using has not been treated with any chemicals or fertilizers as these can be harmful to your tortoise.
If you are buying topsoil from a store, it is important to read the labels on the bags to make sure that the topsoil does not contain any harmful chemicals or fertilizers.
The particle size of topsoil is also an important factor to consider when trying to determine if topsoil is good for tortoises.
Topsoil that has a large particle size is not ideal for tortoises as it can make it difficult for them to burrow and is less likely to cause respiratory problems.
Topsoil that has a smaller particle size is generally better for tortoises as it is easier for them to burrow in but can also cause respiratory problems if inhaled.
How To Prepare Top Soil For Tortoises!
Now that we have answered the question of whether topsoil is good for tortoises, let’s take a look at how to prepare topsoil for tortoises.
The first thing you need to do is make sure that the topsoil you are using is clean and free of any harmful chemicals or fertilizers.
If you are using topsoil that you have collected yourself, it is important to make sure that the topsoil you are using has not been treated with any chemicals or fertilizers as these can be harmful to your tortoise.
If you are buying topsoil from a store, it is important to read the labels on the bags to make sure that the topsoil does not contain any harmful chemicals or fertilizers.
The next thing you need to do is to add some organic matter to the topsoil. This can be in the form of compost, manure, or peat moss.
Adding organic matter to topsoil helps to improve the nutrient content and particle size of the topsoil.
After you have added organic matter to the topsoil, you need to mix it well so that it is evenly distributed.
Once the topsoil is mixed well, you are ready to add it to your tortoise enclosure. When adding topsoil to your tortoise enclosure, you want to make sure that you do not add too much.
Adding too much topsoil to your tortoise enclosure can make it difficult for your tortoise to burrow and can also cause respiratory problems.
A general rule of thumb is to add enough topsoil so that the depth of the topsoil is about twice the size of your tortoise but even this is up for debate depending on the species of tortoise you keep as burrowing species need more substrate than others.
What’s The Best Top Soil For A Tortoise?
Now that we have looked at how to prepare topsoil for tortoises, let’s take a look at the best topsoil options for tortoises. There are a number of different topsoils on the market and it can be hard to know which one is best for your tortoise.
In many situations, the topsoil from your garden can work perfectly fine, especially if you have a test kit to make sure that it is free from impurities that may harm your tortoise. Some topsoil products from the local garden center can also work very well too.
In fact, some of the topsoil substrate options on the market are essentially the exact same product that you can get from a local garden center. They are just marketed specifically for use with tortoises and have a high price tag.
The issue is, many of the safe topsoil products in a garden center are intended for use by professional landscapers and gardeners so they don’t clearly label if the topsoil is safe for use with pets.
This is why we usually recommend that beginners just go with a top soil product for pets. Yes, you will end up paying more compared to what you can get the exact same contents for at a garden center but you get the peace of mind of knowing that it is safe to use for your pet tortoises.
Is Organic Topsoil Ok For Tortoises?
Organic topsoil is topsoil that has been certified by the USDA to meet certain standards. The standards that topsoil must meet in order to be considered organic are:
- The topsoil must be free of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.
- The topsoil must be produced without the use of sewage sludge.
- The topsoil must be produced without the use of irradiation.
If you are looking for topsoil that is safe for tortoises, then organic topsoil is a good option. However, it is important to note that organic topsoil can be more expensive than non-organic topsoil.
Some organic topsoil products designed for use in gardening also have various fertilizer products added to it to help the plants grow. This can often make that specific product unsuitable for use with a tortoise but there are organic topsoil options available without fertilizer in it that can work very well.
Can You Use Potting Soil For A Tortoise?
Potting soil is topsoil that has been mixed with other materials to make it more suitable for use in potted plants. The materials that are added to potting soil can vary depending on the manufacturer but they often include things like sphagnum peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite.
The main issue with using potting soil for a tortoise is that it can often contain fertilizer products that are harmful to tortoises. Depending on your location, your local laws may not actually require the manufacturers of topping soil to include a list of the ingredients on the label either.
Due to this, we usually recommend against using potting soil for your pet tortoise as it can be harmful and more often than not, it is very difficult to find out exactly what’s in it.
That said though, some people who keep a pet tortoise do use potting soil for their substrate with minimal issues but there will always be a risk.
Is There Any Point In Using Sterilized Topsoil For A Tortoise?
There are topsoil products on the market that have been sterilized to kill any harmful bacteria or fungi that may be present in it. The main issue with using these products for a tortoise is that they often contain chemicals that can be harmful to your pet.
In most cases, we recommend avoiding topsoil products that have been sterilized as it is often unnecessary and can be harmful to your tortoise. If you are going to use topsoil that has been sterilized, then we recommend that you only use a very small amount of it mixed in with other substrate materials.
There are some sterilized topsoil products available that are sterilized and designed for use for pets where the manufacturer will remove the potentially harmful sterilization chemicals but these are often drastically overpriced while offering minimal real benefit to your pet tortoise.
Conclusion
When looking for topsoil to use with your pet tortoise, it is important to be aware of the different types available. There are many different types of topsoil on the market and not all of them are safe for tortoises. In general, we recommend that beginners avoid topsoils that have been mixed with fertilizers or other chemicals as these can be harmful to your tortoise.
