Substrates

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Aspen Aspen shavings and chips are a great choice for burrowing species and those with soft underbellies. This substrate is particularly useful with smaller snakes and tortoises . The wood will absorb moisture and clump together making spot cleaning very easy. Bark Chips Bark chips are a darker wood substrate and are great for enclosures that require some humidity. The bark can be sprayed in the morning and will remain moist throughout the day. Here at the Northampton Reptile Centre we use bark chips with our Crested geckos and arboreal amphibians . Beech Woodchips Beech woodchips are a great loose substrate as they are cheap and easy to clean. The coarse beech woodchips are especially great for lizards as they are quite large pieces making them highly unlikely to be accidentally ingested. Here at the Northampton Reptile Centre we keep our bearded dragons , European tortoises and small snakes on beech woodchip. Bioactive Substrates Bioactive substrates are a great way to create your own bioactive set up. These soil based substrates are already packed with nutrients so plants and cleaner colonies like woodlice or springtails can be added straight into the enclosure. These are a great way to create a naturalistic enclosure. Carpets Carpets are a good option for animals that have a habit of eating loose substrates. They provide a soft lining to the floor without the risk of accidental ingestions and impactions. They can be washed and re-used making them great value for money. Clay Clay based substrates are great for desert dwelling reptiles. If left loose the clay can be easily pushed and dug out allowing the animal to naturally burrow. Moisture can also be added to the clay to mould structures that will hold their shape. Drainage Substrate Large gravel, ceramic or pebble substrates designed to allow drainage from a top layer. Particularly useful when creating a damp naturalistic enclosure for terrestrial frogs and toads. The drainage layer is usually placed below a la