Cocoa shell mulch is often sold at home and garden stores. It is commonly used in landscaping because of its attractive brown color. This type of mulch is also famous for retaining water without looking soggy, helping plants and flowers stay hydrated during the heat of summer. Cocoa shell mulch also darkens with time versus fades like other types of mulch, making it a popular choice for landscaping.
What is Cocoa Shell Mulch?
Cocoa shell mulch is made of the outside shell of cocoa beans – the same beans used to make chocolate.
Is Cocoa Shell Mulch Safe for Sulcata Tortoise?
Cocoa shell mulch contains a concentrated amount of cocoa fats, theobromine and caffeine and is considered potentially harmful to dogs when consumed.
Knowing this, you may be curious if it is safe to use around your tortoise.
It is possible. You want to read the label on the bag carefully. Home Depot branded cocoa shell mulch is sent through several cleaning processes. One of the cleaning processes includes a heat system that strips the cocoa fats from the shells without using additional chemicals.
Choosing a Substrate for Sulcata Tortoise
When setting up an indoor enclosure for a sulcata tortoise, it’s important to choose a safe substrate. You may feel comfortable using cocoa shell mulch in the enclosure, but if you are not, there are other safe substrates to use in a sulcata enclosure.
- Organic topsoil is a great substrate to use in a tortoise enclosure.
- Coco coir holds humidity and moisture well and is safe for tortoises.
- Orchard bark, like Zoo Med’s Reptile Bark, is made from fir trees and is safe for tortoises.
- Cypress mulch, like Zoo Med’s Forest Bedding, is a great mulch for a tortoise enclosure.
