Winter substrate

[beanersmysav]

My Savannah really needs a new substrate as I've had the dirt in there now for almost 2 1/2 months, and I don't want to keep it in there all winter. However it snowed here and rained the last couple of days so the soil I've got in my backyard proves useless right now, so is there anything I can get from the store that he will enjoy and be healthy in. I was thinking soil and play sand mixture please let me know, but dirt is out of the question for the time being unfortunatly. Also I read on TMS that he uses cypress mulch. Would this be suitable for a Sav to burrow in. Or will it keep him happy enough untill spring?

[jungleshadows]

2 months is not a very long time. I would not think your dirt should be needing a replacement yet.

If it is fairly deep then it should last alot longer. You should be able to spot clean it, or remove a layer but a full change over should not be needed for quite some time.

If you choose to do so cypress mulch will work, but it is not the best thing you can offer your sav..

[beanersmysav]

i know its not ready but I wont be able to replace it for about 8 months if i dont do it now and then I will be due for a change before then

[lostwithin]

Hey, If I were in your situating I would stick with dirt, If your worried about winter I would fill a couple buckets and store them somewhere to make sure I don’t run out. If you don’t want to do that then I would use a mixture of potting soil (all natural no chemicals or vermiculite), sand, and cypress, it should work great for you, the cypress mixed in makes a great support for burrows.
Good luck,

Devon

[beanersmysav]

alright thanks, I should also mention all the soil around here outdoors in pretty high in clay content its just this area I have no idea why, I just need a nice day to go out and get some dirt it's been really rainy and even some snow lately so i don't have a day where the dirts nice and dry, and dirt takes a long time to dry just sitting there.

[concept3]

Im sure organic top soil from almost any greenhouse would be fine. Its about 4 bucks for a 50 pound bag.

[V.hb]

No, topsoil sucks, its garbage..

cypress mulch would be fine for now, but I agree, your dirt shouldn't be that bad yet.