Best Terrarium Bedding of 2025

Janie Foster Avatar
Janie Foster
Last Updated: Jan 14, 2025

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Terrarium bedding is a must-have for any pet owner looking to create a comfortable and safe environment for their small pets. This natural substrate is made from a blend of coconut coir, sphagnum moss, and other natural materials, providing a soft and absorbent surface for burrowing and nesting. Not only does it help maintain proper humidity levels, but it also aids in the digestion of food and helps prevent impaction in reptiles. Terrarium bedding is an excellent choice for reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals, and is available in a variety of sizes to suit any enclosure.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Zilla Pet Reptile Terrarium Substrate Bedding Cover #TOP 1
Zilla Pet Reptile Terrarium Substrate Bedding
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Fluker's Cypress Bedding 5 QT Cover #TOP 2
Fluker's Cypress Bedding 5 QT
ftb score rating icon 9.7
ReptiChip Coconut Substrate for Reptiles Cover #TOP 3
ReptiChip Coconut Substrate for Reptiles
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Terrarium Bedding

#TOP 1

Zilla Pet Reptile Terrarium Substrate Bedding

100111891
Brown
One size
Zilla Pet Reptile Terrarium Substrate Bedding Cover
Zilla Coconut Husk Brick, Organic Bedding for Reptiles, Made with 100% Coconut Fiber, Ideal for Tropical Habitats and Egg Incubation

Zilla Terrarium Bedding is a 100% organic substrate made from coconut fiber, designed specifically for reptiles such as chameleons, rainforest geckos, frogs, and toads. This bedding is perfect for maintaining the ideal moisture levels in your pet's terrarium, as it holds moisture effectively. It is also great for egg incubation, providing a safe and gentle environment for fragile eggs. With Zilla Terrarium Bedding, you can ensure that your reptile's habitat is comfortable and conducive to their natural needs. Its organic composition and moisture-holding capability make it an ideal choice for reptile owners looking for a reliable and convenient substrate option.

What We Like
Excellent expansion capability
Soft and fluffy texture
Cost-effective for pet care
Good moisture retention
Versatile usage options
What We Don't Like
Brick can be hard to break
Odor when first expanding
#TOP 2

Fluker's Cypress Bedding 5 QT

36010
Black
Fluker's Cypress Bedding 5 QT Cover
Fluker's Premium Tropical Cypress Bedding for Reptiles, 5 QT

Fluker's Cypress Bedding is a high-quality substrate designed for reptiles like frogs, snakes, and lizards. This premium cypress mulch is finely processed to ensure a comfortable environment for your pets. Whether you have a tropical or desert habitat, this bedding adapts well to both conditions. You can easily maintain humidity levels by misting it lightly for tropical setups, while for desert environments, keeping it dry is effortless. This versatility makes it a great choice for reptile enthusiasts looking to create the ideal living space.

What We Like
Excellent moisture retention
Odor control properties
High quality and consistency
Affordable for reptile bedding
What We Don't Like
May support fruit flies
Too dry for some reptiles
#TOP 3

ReptiChip Coconut Substrate for Reptiles

Reptichip Premium Coconut Substrate
12 Quart
ReptiChip Coconut Substrate for Reptiles Cover
ReptiChip Reptile Bedding Loose Coconut Chip 12 Quart Coco Husk Substrate Mulch for Snake Habitat, Ball Python Terrarium, Turtle Tanks, Tortoise Enclosure

ReptiChip Coconut Substrate is a premium, eco-friendly loose chip bedding for all reptile species. It is refined in the USA, free of dust and debris, and ready to use with expansion and increased humidity. The product is 100% organic, safe, and sustainable. ReptiChip offers a risk-free money-back guarantee to ensure customer satisfaction.

What We Like
Natural and safe material
Excellent moisture retention
Effective odor control
Easy to spot clean
Great for burrowing behavior
What We Don't Like
Not the easiest to clean
Absorbs liquid quickly
#TOP 4

Galápagos Aspen Digs Bedding

05064
brown
Galápagos Aspen Digs Bedding Cover
Galápagos (05064) Aspen Digs Shavings Bedding, 8-Quart, Natural

The Galápagos Aspen Bedding offers a range of benefits for your terrarium. Its high absorbency effectively manages humidity and helps eliminate unpleasant odors, creating a comfortable environment for your pets. Made from sustainable timber by-products, this bedding is an eco-friendly choice. It’s designed to be diggable, making it ideal for burrowing snakes, lizards, and rodents, allowing them to engage in natural behaviors. Additionally, this product is completely safe, as it is free from harmful chemicals and parasites, ensuring your pets' health and well-being.

What We Like
Highly absorbent
Dust-free
Made from natural aspen
Soft and fluffy texture
Controls humidity and odors
What We Don't Like
Possible mite issues
#TOP 5

Fluker's Coconut Fiber Bedding 5QT

37002
Fluker's Coconut Fiber Bedding 5QT Cover
Fluker's Loose Coconut Fiber Bedding for Reptiles and Arachnids, 5QT

Fluker's Coconut Bedding is crafted from natural coconut husks, making it an excellent choice for your pets. This bedding helps maintain the right humidity levels, crucial for the health of tropical reptiles. It effectively absorbs moisture, ensuring your pet's habitat remains clean and hygienic. Additionally, its versatility allows it to accommodate various animals, including frogs, lizards, and turtles. With this bedding, you can also provide an ideal environment for egg laying and incubation, promoting healthy development for your pet's eggs.

What We Like
Great for digging pets
Low dust formula
Good price
Moist consistency
Perfect for terrariums
What We Don't Like
Not enough for large tanks
Makes a mess during shipping
#TOP 6

Zoo Med Aspen Snake Bedding

Whites & Tans
8 qt
Zoo Med Aspen Snake Bedding Cover
Zoo Med Aspen Snake Bedding 8 Quarts

Zoo Med Aspen Snake Bedding is a green terrarium bedding made from a renewable resource that's easy to clean and 99.9% dust free.

What We Like
Good price
Absorbent and soft
No overpowering odor
Great for burrowing
Consistent quality
What We Don't Like
Not resealable bag
#TOP 7

ReptiEarth Coconut Fiber Substrate for Reptiles and Amphibians

Reptichip Premium Coconut Substrate
EARTH
Coconut
12 Quart
ReptiEarth Coconut Fiber Substrate for Reptiles and Amphibians Cover
ReptiEarth Reptile Bedding, Fluffy Coconut Fiber Substrate 12 Quart Organic Coco Ready to Use for Bioactive Snake Terrarium, Lizard Tanks with Plants, for Frog, Tarantula or Hermit Crab Habitat

ReptiEarth Coco Fiber Substrate is a 100% organic and sustainable reptile bedding that helps create the perfect microclimate for nesting and burrowing. It uses a 70-30 blend of micro- and small-strand fibers for coconut husk bedding that is dust-free and resistant to compaction. The bedding is sorted and triple-washed, making it the cleanest coconut substrate for spiders, isopods, scorpions, and amphibians. This bioactive substrate is ready to use out of the bag and can be moistened with water for tropical species. It is suitable for geckos, tarantulas, iguanas, and other reptiles.

What We Like
Great value for money
Holds moisture well
Easy to clean
Safe for various pets
Pleasant, earthy smell
What We Don't Like
Can become too wet
No usage directions included
#TOP 8

Zilla Walnut Desert Blend Substrate

100533126
Walnut
5-Quart Bag
Zilla Walnut Desert Blend Substrate Cover
Zilla Pet Reptile Terrarium Substrate Bedding, Walnut Desert Blend, for Bearded Dragons, Monitors, Skinks and Uromastyx, 5 Quart

Zilla Desert Substrate is an excellent choice for your desert-dwelling reptiles like bearded dragons and monitors. This bedding is safe for glass terrariums, ensuring no scratches occur, unlike traditional sand. It's low-maintenance, requiring you to simply replace it monthly, which saves you time and effort. The substrate also conducts heat effectively, creating a warm environment for your reptiles. Additionally, its sand-like texture encourages natural digging and burrowing behaviors, promoting a more active and healthy lifestyle for your pets.

What We Like
Clean, dry, dust-free product
Perfect size for hobbyists
Great value for money
Versatile for multiple uses
Excellent for reptile bedding
What We Don't Like
May need additional polish for brass
Smaller size than some prefer
#TOP 9

Galápagos Terrarium Green Sphagnum Moss 4 Quart

05213
Green
4 QT
Galápagos Terrarium Green Sphagnum Moss 4 Quart Cover
Galápagos (05213) Terrarium Green Sphagnum Moss, Natural, 4 Quart

The Galápagos Sphagnum Moss is an excellent choice for creating a comfortable habitat for your amphibians and reptiles. Its long fibers help maintain the right humidity levels, essential for tropical and wetland terrariums. The moss is thoroughly cleaned to ensure it is free from dust and particles, promoting healthy shedding for your geckos, lizards, frogs, and snakes. Additionally, this moss is sustainably sourced, ensuring that your choice is environmentally friendly. Whether you are designing a terrarium or enhancing your garden, this natural moss adds a touch of elegance to any space.

What We Like
Excellent soil quality
Holds moisture well
Enhances humidity levels
Visually appealing
Large quantity in bag
What We Don't Like
Possible mold growth
Heavily dyed product
#TOP 10

Zoo Med Reptile Bark Fir Bedding

multi
8 qt
Zoo Med Reptile Bark Fir Bedding Cover
Zoo Med Reptile Bark Fir Bedding, 8 Quarts

Zoo Med Reptile Bark Fir Bedding is an all-natural, green product that is perfect for your terrarium. This bedding is absorbent and can last up to one year, making it a practical choice for any reptile owner. Additionally, this bedding is reusable, making it an eco-friendly option for those who care about the environment.

What We Like
Maintains moisture and humidity
Easy cleanup and natural material
Affordable compared to pet stores
Great smell and aesthetics
Versatile for various uses
What We Don't Like
A bit rough for some snakes
Larger pieces than expected
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the best reptile bedding?

One of the best substrates available for your pet reptile or amphibian is Zilla's Jungle Mix. This natural dirt substrate is made from Sphagnum Peat Moss AND Douglas Fir shavings. This combination of natural materials allows for incredible moisture retention, drainage, and aeration.

2. What is reptile bedding?

Reptile Bedding and Substrate Substrates such as coconut fiber and forest floor are great at holding humidity for tropical species, whereas sand and walnut based substrates will be more appropriate for your desert dwelling dragons.

3. What do you put on the bottom of a lizard cage?

Suitable substrates include newspaper, certain types of sand, wood/bark chips, soil and/or peat moss, plastic turf and indoor/outdoor carpet.

Editor's Notes

During our terrarium bedding research, we found 24 terrarium bedding products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 113,612 customer reviews through our big data system to write the terrarium bedding list. We found that most customers choose terrarium bedding with an average price of $14.15.

The terrarium bedding are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of terrarium bedding, including Zilla, Fluker's, Reptichip Premium Coconut Substrate, Galapagos, Zoo Med. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 385 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by
Janie Foster Avatar

Janie Foster is a writer & pet blogger from Los Angeles, she enjoys living with her two cats and three dogs. She owned her first dog 10 years ago and then started her personal blog to record her dog's daily life. Throughout her personal life, she has developed specialized knowledge in pet care, pet nutrition, feeding habits, and more.

Terrarium Bedding Comparison Table

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Brand Zilla Fluker's Reptichip Premium Coconut Substrate Galapagos Fluker's Zoo Med Reptichip Premium Coconut Substrate Zilla Galapagos Zoo Med
Item Weight 1.3 pounds 1.9 pounds 2.27 pounds 1.1 pounds 1.11 pounds 2.8 Pounds 2.83 pounds 7.5 pounds 3.2 ounces 4.25 pounds
Item Package Dimensions L x W x H 8.11 x 3.98 x 2.24 inches 14.65 x 9.53 x 4.45 inches 14.72 x 9.84 x 3.98 inches 11.57 x 9.45 x 3.23 inches 14.65 x 8.74 x 3.35 inches - 14.25 x 9.37 x 4.02 inches 16.54 x 9.49 x 2.95 inches 13.23 x 11.34 x 2.56 inches 17.6 x 11.61 x 3.94 inches
Brand Name Zilla Fluker's Reptichip Premium Coconut Substrate Galapagos Fluker's - Reptichip Premium Coconut Substrate Zilla Galapagos Zoo Med
Target Audience Keyword reptiles, arachnids^arthropods^bats-animals^bearded-dragons^bees^beetles^butterflies^crabs^dragonflies^frogs^geckos^hermit-crabs^iguanas^insects^ladybugs^lizards^newts^reptiles^salamanders^snakes^spiders^tortoises^turtles, reptile-and-amphibian-pets reptiles, dogs, reptile-and-amphibian-pets reptiles, amphibians, snakes, geckos, frogs, reptile-and-amphibian-pets reptiles, reptile-and-amphibian-pets reptiles, reptile-and-amphibian-pets - reptile-and-amphibian-pets reptiles, reptile-and-amphibian-pets reptiles reptiles, reptile-and-amphibian-pets, amphibians
Size One size 10 Pound (Pack of 1) 12 Quart 8.3"L x 7.0"W x 7.0"Th 10 Pound (Pack of 1) - 12 Quart 5-Quart Bag 4 QT 8 qt
Model Name Coconut Husk Brick Fluker's Premium Tropical Cypress Bedding for Reptile, 5 Quart - Not Available Fluker's Loose Coconut Bedding for Reptile, 5 Quart - EARTH Reptile Terrarium Bedding Substrate Desert Blend ECOM Natural Pack Galapagos 50705213: 5-Star Terrarium Sphagnum Moss Snake Bedding Substrate, Green 4Qt Zoo Med Reptile Bark Fir Bedding, 8 Quarts
Color Brown Black - brown - Whites & Tans Coconut Walnut Green multi
Age Range Description All Life Stages All Life Stages - All Stages All Life Stages - All Life Stages All Life Stages All Stages all stages
Item Dimensions LxWxH 8 x 2 x 4 inches 14 x 4 x 10 inches - 5 x 13.5 x 14 inches 14 x 4 x 10 inches - - 7.3 x 16.5 x 3.8 inches 3 x 11 x 13 inches 15 x 8.7 x 5.2 inches
Directions For use in tropical and bioactive terrariums, ideal for amphibians, arachnids, tropical geckos and many others. Store in a room temperate, dry place. See Directions on Label - - To use Fluker's Loose Coconut Fiber Bedding, simply spread the bedding evenly throughout your pet's terrarium. The all-natural coconut husk material will help maintain proper humidity levels and absorb moisture with little decay. Clean the bedding regularly by removing any soiled areas and replacing them with fresh Fluker's Loose Coconut Fiber Bedding as needed. The versatile bedding is suitable for a range of pets, including frogs, toads, tortoises, box turtles, forest dwelling lizards and snakes, and invertebrates. It's also a great medium for egg laying and incubation. And once you're done with it, Fluker's Loose Coconut Fiber Bedding can be safely composted in your garden or potted plant. - Not required A suitable alternative to sand to recreate a reptile's desert habitat. Refer to packaging Soak in hot water to freshen every 2-3 months, replace yearly
FTB Score
ftb score rating icon 9.8
ftb score rating icon 9.7
ftb score rating icon 9.5
ftb score rating icon 9.5
ftb score rating icon 9.5
ftb score rating icon 9.3
ftb score rating icon 9.1
ftb score rating icon 8.9
ftb score rating icon 8.7
ftb score rating icon 8.6
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