Caring for reptiles can be challenging since they have such specific needs. Picking the best substrate for blue tongue skinks may at first seem like a simple decision, but in fact, there are many options available and many specifications that skinks require.
However, when we look at quality, type, price and real purchasing customer reviews, we can create a list of some of the top substrate choices. Here’s out top ten products that can make the best substrate for blue tongue skinks.
10. Sunseed Shredded Aspen Bedding
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[su_highlight background=”#f8f8a9″]Ideal for: Reptiles and small animals[/su_highlight]
Aspen is a great type of bedding for blue tongue skinks because it’s made of natural materials, so it’s safe for pets. It’s also absorbent and helps to keep the humidity in the habitat low. In addition, this bedding is soft, so skinks can burrow into it or create nests. This particular bedding is designed to be nearly dust and debris free.
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- Perfect for burrowing
- Absorbent
- Dust and debris free
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- More expensive than other substrate options
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9. Carefresh Complete Pet Bedding
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[su_highlight background=”#f8f8a9″]Ideal for: Small animals and reptiles[/su_highlight]
Paper-based beddings are another good choice for the best substrate for blue tongue skinks. This is because they’re lightweight, soft, and fluffy, so skinks can easily burrow into them.
However, these beddings are also very absorbent, so they help to cut down on messes. This particular bedding is made from natural fibers, and it’s designed to be low on dust.
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- Absorbent
- Soft for easy burrowing
- Made of natural fibers
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- Not specifically designed for skinks
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8. Exo Terra Plantation Soil
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[su_highlight background=”#f8f8a9″]Ideal for: Reptiles such as blue tongue skinks[/su_highlight]
Although it’s designed for more humid habitats, this plantation soil substrate is also a good choice for blue tongue skinks. It’s soft, and the natural material makes it easy and enjoyable for skinks to burrow into.
In addition, this coconut fiber soil is free of chemicals or additives. It can be dampened to increase humidity, but will also work well in a drier environment.
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- Made of all-natural coconut husks
- No chemicals added
- Perfect for burrowing
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- May make the habitat slightly too humid
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7. Zoo Med Eco Earth Lose Coconut Fiber Substrate
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[su_highlight background=”#f8f8a9″]Ideal for: Blue tongue skinks and other reptiles[/su_highlight]
This natural coconut husk substrate has no added chemicals or colors, so it’s safe for blue tongue skinks. It can also be composted, so it’s environmentally friendly.
In addition, this substrate will naturally absorb waste and help to reduce odors, so it makes keeping the habitat clean much simpler.
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- Naturally absorbs waste
- Made of all-natural coconut fibers
- Can be composted
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- May raise the humidity in the habitat
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6. Kaytee All Natural Aspen Bedding
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These shavings are made of all-natural aspen with no scents, oils, or inks, so they’re safe for pets. In addition, the shavings are incredibly absorbent, so keeping the habitat clean is simple.
These shavings also make an excellent substrate because they’re specially processed so as to be nearly free of the dust and wood debris often found in other shaving-type beddings.
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- No oils or inks added
- Absorbent
- Ideal for burrowing
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- Quality may be inconsistent
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5. Zoo Med Apsen Snake Bedding
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[su_highlight background=”#f8f8a9″]Ideal for: Snakes and other reptiles such as blue tongue skinks[/su_highlight]
This bedding is made of all-natural aspen, with no oils or scents added. It’s soft and is perfect for burrowing, making this an excellent choice for the best substrate for blue tongue skinks. In addition, the bedding is incredible absorbent, so it makes keeping the habitat clean much simpler.
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- No added scents or oils
- Perfect for burrowing
- Very absorbent
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- Quality may be inconsistent
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4. Zoo Med Eco Earth Bricks
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[su_highlight background=”#f8f8a9″]Ideal for: Blue tongue skinks and other reptiles[/su_highlight]
These Eco Earth bricks are a cost-efficient way to provide a good substrate for your blue tongue skink. Each brick expands to make up to seven liters of substrate.
The substrate is comprised of coconut fiber harvest from a renewable resource. The substrate naturally absorbs and breaks down waste and it can then be composted, so it’s environmentally friendly.
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- Environmentally friendly
- Cost-efficient
- Made from coconut fiber
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- May make the habitat slightly too humid
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3. Exo Terra Coco Husk
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[su_highlight background=”#f8f8a9″]Ideal for: Reptiles such as blue tongue skinks[/su_highlight]
This substrate is specifically designed for reptiles, and it’s made from all-natural coconut husk material. It’s a good substrate to encourage burrowing or nesting, making it a very good option for the best substrate for blue tongue skinks.
In addition, the substrate is low on dust and helps to naturally reduce messes and odors in the habitat.
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- Made of all-natural coconut husk
- Cost-friendly
- Absorbent
- Perfect for burrowing
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- May make the habitat slightly too humid
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2. Zoo Med Forest Floor Bedding
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[su_highlight background=”#f8f8a9″]Ideal for: Blue tongue skinks and other reptiles[/su_highlight]
This substrate is made entirely of cypress mulch, which is a good substrate for skinks because it’s soft and can easily be burrowed into. In addition, it gives the habitat a natural look.
It can be used damp or dry, so it’s easy to retain the correct amount of humidity—about 10 to 45 percent—that a blue tongue skink requires.
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- Helps create the correct humidity
- Ideal for burrowing
- Made of all-natural cypress mulch
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- Some customers found mites
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1. Zilla Snake and Lizard Litter
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[su_highlight background=”#f8f8a9″]Ideal for: Snakes, lizards, and other reptiles[/su_highlight]
This litter is specifically designed to be an excellent substrate for skinks, among other reptiles. It’s made entirely of heat-treated aspen chips. The chips have no added oils, so they’re safe for pets.
In addition, these chips are easy for skinks to burrow into, and they’re also very absorbent so cleaning the habitat is simple.
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- Made from all-natural aspen
- Absorbent
- Made specifically for reptiles
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- May not be as easy to burrow into as other substrates
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Conclusion
With so many choices for the best substrate for blue tongue skinks, it can be difficult to narrow down the options. However, looking for substrates that are natural, absorbent, and make burrowing easy will ensure that your skink is happy in its habitat.
Talking with other skink owners and sharing your own experiences can also be very beneficial. Let us know what your favorite substrates are!
Featured image credit: Phozographer via Flickr
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