Best Substrate for Blue Tongue Skinks

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

 Ideal for: Reptiles and small animals 

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.

9. Carefresh Complete Pet Bedding

 Ideal for: Small animals and reptiles 

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.

8. Exo Terra Plantation Soil

 Ideal for: Reptiles such as blue tongue skinks 

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.

7. Zoo Med Eco Earth Lose Coconut Fiber Substrate

 Ideal for: Blue tongue skinks and other reptiles 

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.

6. Kaytee All Natural Aspen Bedding

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.

5. Zoo Med Apsen Snake Bedding

 Ideal for: Snakes and other reptiles such as blue tongue skinks 

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.

4. Zoo Med Eco Earth Bricks

 Ideal for: Blue tongue skinks and other reptiles 

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.

3. Exo Terra Coco Husk

 Ideal for: Reptiles such as blue tongue skinks 

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.

2. Zoo Med Forest Floor Bedding

 Ideal for: Blue tongue skinks and other reptiles 

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.

1. Zilla Snake and Lizard Litter

 Ideal for: Snakes, lizards, and other reptiles 

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.

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

ToyPetReviews Team

The TPR Team invites you to read informative pieces and specialized opinions from experts in all things dogs, cats, birds, fish, hamsters, rabbits, and all things pet, in general.