Substrates

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 layer of top soil.

Hemp

Hemp based substrates are great for tortoises and soft bellied snakes. This substrate can be easily pushed and dug out allowing the animal to naturally burrow. Hemp bedding is particularly useful with tortoises and snakes that require a dry enclosure.

Incubation

A range of incubation mediums to meet the needs of most reptile eggs. Vermiculite can be prepared and will retain a large amount of moisture releasing it to increase humidity over the incubation period whereas pearlite comes premixed.

Jungle Substrates

These jungle substrates are great for retaining moisture and providing a moderate humidity. From coconut husk through soil and bark there is a perfect substrate for all jungle dwelling species.

Pebbles and Gravel

Pebbles and gravel substrates are great for lining the bottom of submerged enclosures. They do not give off particulate dirt and will sink and stay down making them perfect for turtle tanks or aquatic amphibian enclosures.

Soil

A range of soil based substrates designed to retain a large amount of moisture and keep environments damp. A great option for amphibians and reptiles that would live in wet places.

Straw

Straw based substrates are a great option for tortoises and other large herbivorous reptiles. Not only is it soft underfoot it is also a natural source of roughage for European and African tortoises.

Substrate Scoops

A fast and efficient way to remove excrement from fine substrates without having to get hands on. These scoops are particularly useful when using sands and soils.

Moss

Dry, compact and live moss products. These are great for increasing the humidity in enclosures. They can be used as a substrate for amphibians that need to stay damp or can be added to soil or bark chip to raise humidity even further. Here at the Northampton Reptile Centre we use moss in our snake shedding boxes and humid microclimates.

Sand

A range of sand based substrates for desert dwelling species. These range from play sand to calci-sands and vitamin sands containing for or less minerals as required. They are a great loose substrate for lizards from arid regions that love to bury themselves.

Other substrates

A range of alternative beddings for less common and aquatic species. A wide variety from large pebbles through corn cob granules and clay.