Table 6.
Default substrates/bedding for animals.
| Species habitat type | Enclosure substrate |
|---|---|
| Open habitat species | Soft (play-pit) sand with uncontaminated (e.g., pesticide-free etc.) topsoil @ 50/50 ratio; hay; sphagnum moss; pure/plain (e.g., pesticide-, fertilizer- and vermiculite-free) soil/peat moss. |
| Closed habitat species | Aspen and pine shavings; sphagnum moss; pure/plain (e.g., pesticide-, fertilizer- and vermiculite-free) soil/peat moss. |
| Subterranean/burrowing species | Soft (play-pit) sand mixed with sphagnum moss; pure/plain (e.g., pesticide-, fertilizer- and vermiculite-free) soil/peat moss; dried Spanish moss in small quantities. |
| Arboreal species | Aspen and pine shavings; sphagnum moss; pure/plain (e.g., pesticide-, fertilizer- and vermiculite-free) soil/peat moss. |
| Aquatic & semi-aquatic species | Fully aquatic species require, as environmental enrichment, a base substrate such as gravel or sand, although in very large enclosures and pools, microbially balanced detritus may be appropriate or beneficial. For certain bottom feeding species substrates may also be essential to provide an acceptably naturalistic environment for dietary habits. Substrate-free aquaria may be acceptable only when used for species that do not behaviorally interact with such media for any purposes. Semi-aquatic species should have submerged and dry areas of sand, gravel (too large to ingest) or stone (or combinations) to enable interaction for purposes of display, feeding or seclusion. |
| Domesticated dogs & cats | Absorbent floor coverings may include newspaper, shavings or hay/straw, but must be changed regularly to avoid soiling and wetting. Soft beddings such as proprietary items, blankets, towels, specialized materials must be available and regularly laundered. |