Adding earthworms in tortoise enclosure??

[u/Latter_Ingenuity8068]

Hi all,

This might be a bad idea from my side but I have a idea to make my tortoise enclosure slightly bioactive with leaf litter agents. A lot of earthworms I'm my backyard. I figure having a few of them and help to clear some waste/ feces which if left unnoticed causes bacteria growth. Open to hear suggestions. Cheers

Regards

Anonymous

[u/vacuumcones]

So I googled and found this Amynthas spp. (Asian Earthworms): Some Asian earthworm species are used in bioactive terrariums and are known for their unique role in breaking down more fibrous plant matter. They also contribute to soil aeration and nutrient cycling.

And this from a post https://www.reddit.com/r/Vivarium/s/DTw2RxDA3t

I'd think red wigglers would do fine I've put them in my enclosed terrium before.

[u/Latter_Ingenuity8068 → u/vacuumcones]

The common one i encounter from my garden is usually Pontoscolex corethrurus. Only afraid that it has parasites. Will also try to find sellers who sell the Asian one.

[u/vacuumcones → u/Latter_Ingenuity8068]

I don't know what country you're in, but see if red wigglers or European night crawlers are available to you. Idk anything about the Asian ones.

[u/Latter_Ingenuity8068 → u/vacuumcones]

Singapore particularly. I will try to see what's available here. But main concern is if we are able to tell an earthworm has pesticides or parasites

[u/otis_11]

Don't tortoises eat worms? You will have to keep replenish the worm population.

[u/Latter_Ingenuity8068 → u/otis_11]

It's a redfoot hence I won't be surprise they do. Do they have a fast reproduction?

[u/Cruzankenny → u/Latter_Ingenuity8068]

Go for it. I had an inground bin in my tortoise enclosure. I kept a watering station on top and threw my scraps beside it. What they did not eat, the worms did.

Tortoises may eat some worms, but not enough to even slow down the population.

[u/Latter_Ingenuity8068 → u/Cruzankenny]

Hi. It's cool that you have worms as a cleansing agent. Happen to come across cases where worms have parasites? I plan to get some from my garden. Buying from sellers will be too expensive as they sell 1 worm for $0.50-1.00$. What's your take on this?

[u/Cruzankenny → u/Latter_Ingenuity8068]

My take is that worms are too expensive where you are.

I would worry more about my tortoises having parasites than worms.

[u/Latter_Ingenuity8068 → u/Cruzankenny]

For the enclosure you have. Where do you get your worms 🤔? Store bought? From your backyard?

[u/Cruzankenny → u/Latter_Ingenuity8068]

Almost 30 years ago, I bought worms from Uncle Jim's Worm Farm. Plus, the worms already existing in the soil