How to Use Sand in a Baby Desert Tortoise's House

Choosing the right sand for a desert tortoise's enclosure can make a big difference in your pet's health. Baby tortoises can easily choke or poison themselves on the wrong substrate, but a quality substrate or sand will provide them with lots of ways to safely explore their environment.

Things You'll Need

  • Nontoxic sand
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Instructions

    • 1

      Choose the right sand for your tortoise. Baby tortoises tend to eat everything in sight, so it's vital that you choose a nontoxic sand. Look for sands made of calcium, which can help to keep your tortoise healthy. Steer clear of dusty sand, which can cause respiratory infections. Most pet stores sell sand suitable for baby tortoises. Read the package and make sure the sand is edible.

    • 2

      Pour the sand into your tortoise's enclosure. The right amount of sand will give your tortoise enough room to dig and build hiding areas. Ideally, the sand should be almost as high as your tortoise is.

    • 3

      Provide a hiding area for your tortoise by adding cage ornaments to the enclosure. Tortoises are more likely to dig in sand if they feel safe and secure. Avoid going overboard with cage decorations. One hiding place on top of the sand is sufficient. Too many cage ornaments can prevent your tortoise from having sufficient room to walk around and dig.

    • 4

      Keep the sand dry and clean. Scoop out moist spots of sand with a cat litter scooper. Make sure you don't allow your tortoise's urine and feces to build up in the sand. Generally, you should be able to scoop these out as well. You will need to fully replace your tortoise's sand every three to four months. You'll know it's time to replace the sand when it becomes difficult to simply scoop out wet spots without running out of sand. You should also replace the sand immediately if your tortoise is sick.