Substrate question

[Tongue Flicker]

Is laterite safe to use as substrate for frogs? I was thinking of mixing it with some coco fiber so the color is the same. It's for a tree frog so substrate contact will be minimal

Thanks!

[Mentat]

No, if frog accidentally ingests it it could get impacted or the sharp laterite could hurt it's digestive system . Also, laterite has very high iron and other mineral content and have no idea if it could affect frogs .

[deranged chipmunk]

Sadly, this is where I disagree with Carlos,but with stipulations. First off, I know the iron content isn't an issue because I know the substrate that I make is ridiculously high in iron, which is why my plants are always healthy. As far as the laterite, as long as it is under a couple inches of leaf litter, then there "shouldn't" be an issue, since tree frogs don't burrow under the leaf litter. In my 125 white's palu, I had a ridiculous amount of perlite in my substrate with leaf litter and moss on top and never had an issue. You could also avoid an impaction issue by using a feeding bowl.
So yes, it can be used, but precautions need to be taken.

[Tongue Flicker]

It seems that what i have here are the lateritic soil and not the other types. It it actually soft and resembles a typical garden soil only that its reddish brown. I was planning of mixing it with equal parts of sifted coco fiber then topped with a little leaf litter for dramatic effect. If i like how it looks and it maintains itself, i might have to shift every substrate for every animal i have haha..

Food and water will always be elevated in a dish to avoid unnecessary dampening and prey items from escaping.

Thanks carlos and bill!