How to Use Coco Coir for Reptile Bedding

A reptile’s environment is key to maintaining its health and longevity. Coir, or coconut fiber, is an all-natural, nontoxic, cost-effective product that can improve your pet’s habitat. Here’s how.

It Works for a Variety of Pets

Coco coir works well for many types of pets. For example, coir can be used as a bedding for lizards, snakes, spiders, turtles, tortoises, iguanas, scorpions, hermit crabs, and more. You can use coco coir in dry form or with moisture added, making it flexible to fit the needs or preferences of a variety of pets.

A Number of Uses

Coco coir reptile bedding offers a number of benefits to both reptiles and their owners. Because coco coir absorbs and retains water so efficiently, adding moist coco coir to the reptile’s habitat helps maintain proper humidity naturally. This is paramount for species that live in tropical climates. 

For reptiles that are more active in their terrariums, coir can cushion landings or falls. Coir is ideal for entertaining pets that dig and can be used to change the landscaping inside the terrarium, keeping your reptile on its toes. Coco coir reptile bedding also provides safe and comfortable spots for nesting or burrowing. 

Reptile owners choose coco coir not just because their reptiles prefer it. Using coir in your terrarium also keeps it looking clean, and coir’s absorbency helps minimize odors.

How to Set it Up 

Coco coir reptile bedding is sold either loose or in a lightweight, compressed block. To hydrate it for use with your reptile, simply put coir in a clean container and add a gallon of fresh water. Allow the coir to soak in water for an hour so it can expand fully. Next, mix the coir by hand, spreading the moisture evenly and breaking apart any remaining clumps. You might also want to wring out excess water. 

Spread coir in the desired area of the tank or terrarium with a thickness of at least 1-2 inches. You’ll need approximately 1.5 pounds of coir block to spread it at the recommended thickness across the bottom of a 40-gallon tank.

When using coir with reptiles that prefer less humid climates, the dry blocks can be very difficult to break apart. Moisten the coir brick just enough to break it. Then lay the coir out to dry thoroughly before using it in your pet’s terrarium.

Store any coir you’re not using immediately for later use. Store extra coco coir reptile bedding in a sealed container to keep it fresh and prevent unwanted species from making themselves at home.

Maintenance

Coco coir is a low-maintenance bedding for pet owners. While excellent at retaining water, it’s important to check that your coir stays moist to your reptile’s preference. Spray the coir with fresh water if you find it’s becoming too dry. Check coir bedding for adequate moisture and pet waste daily, removing soiled coir and replacing it with fresh coir as needed. Replace all coco coir reptile bedding monthly to keep your pet healthy and happy.