Substrate Material and Linings

There are a variety of materials that can serve as a substrate (floor covering) in a terrarium. The choice of a specific substrate will depend on the needs of the herptile pet and the "look" that the customer wants to achieve in the terrarium.

Coarse sand can be used in a desert terrarium, while a mixture of peat, sand and loam will enhance a woodland terrarium.

Very fine sand should not be used as a substrate, because it tends to cake between the scales of some reptiles, leading to skin diseases. For burrowing species, a mixture of coarse sand and peat or leaf litter often works well as a substrate.

Gravel is another popular substrate material --pea-sized gravel should be used with small to medium reptiles, while 1-inch shingle is preferable for larger pythons and lizards. One of the advantages of gravel is that it can be thoroughly washed, disinfected and re-used.

Regardless of which substrate material is used, it must be removed and washed or replaced at regular intervals -- more frequently for larger species that produce a higher volume of droppings. Wet or moist substrate material should be stirred daily to prevent the build-up of bacteria. All substrates should be replaced at least once or twice a month.

Package "terrarium linings" are also available from PSP. Made of specially treated washable and mildew resistant fibers, these linings are easy to keep clean, and can save time on maintaining the terrarium. Linings can be used by themselves, especially for smaller terrarium pets, or with other substrates. When used either way, a lining can help keep the bottom of the tank glass clean.

Substrate Tips

Do not use high-resin wood shavings such as cedar for a reptile or amphibian substrate. This can cause nerve damage in some herptiles, especially snakes.

Do not use highly absorbent substrates such as cat box litter or corn cob bedding. By absorbing so much moisture, these materials can dehydrate small reptiles and cause serious skin damage in others.

Sand and fibrous substrates such as bark should not be used in terrariums housing reptiles that are fed live food. If the reptiles ingest this substrate when obtaining their food, it can become embedded in the soft tissues of the animal’s mouth.