Best Reptile Substrate for 2021

100% natural, and a blend of all of the materials which your bearded dragon would naturally find in their original ecosystem.

This is, therefore, better suited to them than the standard sand substrates available, and will be much easier to organise and use. The blend encourages digging and is soft on their feet.

It also retains moisture well – while your bearded dragon doesn’t live in the most humid of environments, digging into their natural substrate would naturally find moist burrows or hiding holes. This can help when they need damper areas when shedding or just more humidity.

As a bonus, it all comes in a recyclable, biodegradable bag. You should fill your tank with around 2-3″ (5-7.5cm) of this mix, and spot clean when appropriate, so work out how much you will need every time before buying based on your tank size.

Shredded wood is best for snakes. They won’t spend too much time near the base of their tank anyway, but if they do, they won’t feel the roughness.

Wood also is extremely absorbent, so best for animals like snakes who don’t need high levels of humidity. It is soft, so easy on their skin if they do go over it, and it is also comfortable for you to pick up and clean when required.

This ExoTerra Snake Bedding comes in a variety of sizes, but the huge 26.4L bag is great value and should keep you going for a while. It is also dust-free.

These pebbles are small and natural in shape and size, meaning it is the perfect option for anyone wanting to create an authentic riverbed scenario. They’re ideal for turtles up to 10cm (4″) in size.

They won’t interfere with your water chemistry, and once removed from the tank are easy to clean. Smooth, any bottom dwellers won’t be injured by their shape and size, and you can choose from two different pebble sizes.

8-10mm is fine for smaller animals, and 10-20mm for the slightly larger aquarium reptiles where you don’t want to worry about the stones posing a swallow hazard.

Calcium sand is used by owners who want to have a sand-based tank, but who are worried about the risk of swallowing and impaction.

The calcium will break down if swallowed, making it more likely that it will be expelled. It is also softer than natural sand, using smaller smoother particles. Absorbent, it is not only hygienic but will increase the humidity in tanks too.

Because it is absorbent, it will control odours and is simple to spot clean. Even when you’re conducting a larger tank clean, just sieve it and you’re done. All of Pettex’s substrates have been heat-treated too, so they’re perfectly hygienic and clean before you’ve even put them into the tank.

Coir is great for burrowing species who usually live in humid environments and need somewhere to get a bit cooler.

Made from coconut husk, it is 100% natural which is perfect for anyone who wants to avoid manmade products. This also makes it sustainable, and biodegradable, non-toxic and non-abrasive.

It should ideally be kept with a substantial depth to help with the water retention, which will help any live plants within your terrarium prosper!

Moss can either be used as a decorative material or as a way to retain moisture in tanks that need to be very humid. This one is ideal for amphibians and wetland environment reptiles.

This prepacked live green moss is a fantastic addition to any rainforest makeups. Because it is living, the right amount of water, light and humidity will ensure it thrives – best for animals who also live at 24-32C, with high humidity of over 50%.

Moss is also great at adding fresh air to the tank, for photosynthesis. Either place it as a substrate on the base of the vivarium, or over decorations and climbing equipment. You get two packs of 7 litres so it is easy to work out how much you’d need to order.

Carpet is ideal for many forms of reptile, including snakes, lizards and tortoises. It is simple to clean, can’t be swallowed or eaten, and now looks a lot more natural than it used to.

This carpet is specially designed for reptiles. The dark green colour is close to their natural environment and with an absorbent surface, will capture any soiling so you don’t have to mess about too much when removing it to clean.

You can rinse it clean if you need a quicker turnaround, or machine wash it for heavier soiling. Ideally, clean it daily, so always have another replacement ready to go. Luckily, the price and size choices make it easy to ensure you have a spare.

This particular carpet is softer than a lot of the other rival brands and really easy to cut to size/shape without risking fraying or sharp edges.

Wood is a difficult one when it comes to reptile substrate. Too rough and it can be uncomfortable. Too large and it is again uncomfortable. Too small, however, and it is a swallow and impaction risk. It can also be dusty, which isn’t good for their little sensitive respiratory system.

This one, however, is soft, dry and cleaned of dust particles. Because it is soft, it can still be used with burrowing snakes and reptiles, and won’t be sharp on their skin. Unlike some other woods, it isn’t just for reptiles who are arboreal.

Corn Snakes and King Snakes are best for this, but Blue Tongued Skinks and Monitors will also love it. As a bonus, it is a nice big bag for a great price.

Sand is a funny one. Some owners are completely against it as they don’t want to risk swallowing and impaction. Others praise it for its ease of cleaning, natural look and traditional desert environment qualities.

However, if sand is the best for you and your pet, you must opt for one like this which is specifically made with reptiles in mind. The particles are small so won’t cause a choking hazard, and it is softer than the sand you’d buy for a fish tank, or a children’s play area.

It’s silica, so safe to burrow into, and great for conducting heat. It would also be perfect for any reptiles who will be laying eggs in their tank in the future. There are no dyes or chemicals either.

Perfect for bearded dragons, leopard geckos and any other reptiles that live in a dry, arid environment.

Do you breed reptiles? If so, your eggs will need the right substrate too.

It is favoured by professionals and used by Swell Reptiles’ in-house snake breeders. It keeps eggs at the right humidity for good healthy development, getting the best yield out of your clutch and ensuring you don’t have to mess around with them too much.

This means no additional watering down the line. The natural humidity is just right for growth while inhibiting bacteria and mould growth which can be fatal. Simply open the bag, pour into the hatching box and you’re done.

Why is it so popular though? Not only is it no fuss and hygienic, but it won’t stick to your hatchlings or clump and you can close the bag again ready for next time.