The Exo Terra Coco Husk is a 100% natural, biodegradable terrarium bedding made from sustainable, ground coconut husk fiber grown on plantations in tropical Asia. The unique hygroscopic properties of this ecological substrate regulate the terrariums humidity in a natural way and is totally safe for frogs, salamanders and other burrowing or digging animals. Adequate air humidity levels aid in shedding and help prevent respiratory infections.
The Exo Terra Coco Husk makes an ideal bedding for terrarium set-ups for humidity-loving reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. Its water retention capacity, increased soil drainage and improved aeration promote the cultivation of healthy waste-reducing organisms keeping your terrarium fresh and clean. Exo Terra Coco Husk is triple machine washed to remove any residual salt content, then machine dried and heat-treated to reduce bacterial contamination.
The Exo Terra Coco Husk can be mixed with Exo Terra Plantation Soil to create a substrate with increased air-filled porosity for specific tropical plants like orchids, bromeliads etc…. Exo Terra Coco Husk is absolutely non-toxic, free of chemicals & pesticides and can be safely composted in your garden. Code:
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The blue highlighted area on the map below is where we deliver on our own vehicle! Unfortunately, if you are not in one of these postcode zones we are unable to deliver certain items such as plants, small glass items and selective other products.
We offer a few different delivery options depending on the size and value of your order.
Orders over £50 qualify for free mainland UK (excludes Northern Ireland) delivery which will arrive within 3-5 working days of the order being processed.
Next Working Day Parcel Delivery to Mainland UK – £7.99 OR £2.99 if the order is over £50 (excludes Northern Ireland)
Pallet Delivery to Isle of Wight (PO30 and Above) and Scottish Highlands (AB, PH, IV1-36, IV, KW1-14, KY, PA21-41) – £45
Pallet Delivery to the Scottish Isles (KA27-28, PA60-90, ZE, JE, GY, IM, IV40-56, KW15-17, PH42-44, PA20, PA42-49) – £120
The couriers we use are Royal Mail, DX, APC, and UPN.
Exo Terra Coco Husk is a 100% natural substrate made from compressed coconut husks. It is an increasingly popular choice among reptile and amphibian keepers looking to recreate a naturalistic vivarium environment. In this detailed review, we will take an in-depth look at Exo Terra Coco Husk to see if it lives up to the hype.
Overview of Exo Terra Coco Husk
Exo Terra Coco Husk is sourced from tropical Asia and compressed into chunks that resemble small pieces of bark, It is advertised as a sustainable and natural substrate that encourages natural burrowing behaviors in reptiles
Some of the main features and benefits of Exo Terra Coco Husk include:
- 100% natural material
- Helps increase humidity
- Absorbent
- Stimulates natural digging and burrowing
- Resists bacteria and fungi
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Can be used with heat mats externally
The coco husk chunks have an uneven texture with lots of nooks and crannies for burrowing reptiles to explore. The porous nature of the coconut husk also allows it to retain moisture well. This helps increase humidity levels in the enclosure.
Exo Terra recommends Coco Husk for use with species that originate from tropical, humid environments. This includes crested geckos, bearded dragons, leopard geckos, snakes, frogs, newts, and more.
How Absorbent is Exo Terra Coco Husk?
One of the major benefits of Exo Terra Coco Husk is its absorbency. The coconut husk chunks soak up and retain moisture easily. This helps increase and maintain humidity levels inside your terrarium.
To test absorbency, I saturated a handful of Exo Terra Coco Husk with water I then tightly squeezed the chunks to see how much water I could extract A few gentle presses produced multiple dripping streams of water. It took over a dozen hard squeezes before the dripping fully stopped.
This absorbency test showed that the coconut husk retains significant moisture. When spread out across the terrarium floor, the moist coco husk will effectively raise ambient humidity
For species that enjoy digging, the saturated under-layers of substrate will create a moist sub-surface burrowing environment.
Is Exo Terra Coco Husk Dusty?
Some coconut fiber substrates can be very dusty right out of the bag. Dust can be problematic as it sticks to the moist skins of amphibians. It can also irritate the lungs of reptiles when inhaled.
To evaluate dustiness, I shook a handful of dry Exo Terra Coco Husk over a black sheet of paper. There was a light sprinkle of fine particles, but no substantial dust cloud. The amount of dust was minimal.
You can further reduce any dust present by rinsing the bricks of compressed coco husk before use. But excessive dustiness does not appear to be a major concern with this product.
Exo Terra Coco Husk for Humidity Loving Species
Here are some examples of high humidity species that coco husk would work well for:
Crested Geckos
Crested geckos thrive in tall, humid vivariums around 60-80% humidity. Exo Terra Coco Husk holds humidity nicely while giving crested geckos room to explore and burrow.
Pacman Frogs
Pacman frogs originate from tropical environments and need high humidity around 70-85%. Exo Terra Coco Husk can help maintain ambient moisture for optimal health.
Ball Pythons
Ball pythons benefit from 50-60% humidity to support proper shedding. Exo Terra Coco Husk is an ideal substrate to provide moisture while allowing belly heat penetration.
White’s Tree Frogs
White’s tree frogs enjoy moderate to high humidity between 50-80%. Exo Terra Coco Husk facilitates natural behaviors like burrowing while preventing dehydration.
Tomato Frogs
Tomato frogs thrive at higher humidity around 70-90%. Exo Terra Coco Husk gives an absorbent substrate to keep your tomato frog’s environment pleasantly humid.
As you can see, Exo Terra Coco Husk pairs well with species that naturally live in damp tropical habitats. The moisture retention helps satisfy humidity needs for optimal health and shedding.
Burrowing and Bioactivity Capabilities
Exo Terra Coco Husk allows reptiles and amphibians to dig and tunnel through the substrate, satisfying natural burrowing instincts.
The porous texture and moisture retention also means Exo Terra Coco Husk can be used for bioactive setups. Beneficial cleanup crew organisms like springtails and isopods can inhabit the deep humid under-layers. This allows them to break down waste and prevent harmful mold or bacteria.
Potential Drawbacks to Consider
While Exo Terra Coco Husk has many benefits, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider:
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Sharp pieces – Compressed coco husk can sometimes have splintery chunks and sharp edges that could harm reptile skin. Carefully sift through and remove any sharp pieces before use.
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Risk of impaction – Loose coco fiber pieces could potentially be ingested and cause intestinal impaction, especially with smaller reptiles. Monitor substrate closely and replace if showing signs of over-consumption.
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Mold concerns – Exo Terra Coco Husk can develop mold once it gets too damp. Make sure to provide proper ventilation and airflow.
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Gnat attraction – Excessively wet coco fiber will attract annoying fungus gnat infestations. Allow substrate to dry out appropriately between mistings.
While these risks do exist, they can be minimized with proper husbandry and enclosure maintenance. Overall, the safety of Exo Terra Coco Husk when used properly makes the potential cons manageable.
Exo Terra Coco Husk vs. Other Substrates
How does Exo Terra Coco Husk compare to other popular substrates like reptile carpet, sand, cypress mulch, and sphagnum moss? Here is a quick comparison:
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Reptile carpet – Easy to clean but unnatural, lacks humidity, and can harbor bacteria. Exo Terra Coco Husk is more naturalistic.
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Calcium sand – Risk of impaction is too high. Exo Terra Coco Husk is safer while still permitting burrowing.
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Cypress mulch – Doesn’t hold humidity as well as coco husk. Exo Terra Coco Husk creates a more tropical environment.
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Sphagnum moss – Harder to clean and replace. Exo Terra Coco Husk provides better burrowing opportunities.
For species requiring humidity, Exo Terra Coco Husk tends to be preferable over these other substrates in many ways.
Cost Analysis
Exo Terra Coco Husk is competitively priced with other high quality reptile substrates.
A 10 liter (2.6 gallon) bag costs approximately $10-15 depending on the retailer. This provides enough substrate for a reasonably sized enclosure 10-30 gallons in volume.
Larger bricks expand up to 5x their compressed size. So you get good value for the cost compared to substrates that don’t expand as much per pound.
Overall, Exo Terra Coco Husk is an excellent naturalistic substrate for tropical, high humidity vivariums. It allows burrowing behaviors while providing moisture retention to meet humidity needs. With proper husbandry, the risks of impaction, mold, and gnats can be minimized.
While not ideal for arid desert species, Exo Terra Coco Husk is a great option for humid tropical setups. It can help satisfy the habitat requirements of crested geckos, tree frogs, pacman frogs, ball pythons, and more species that originate from damp rainforest environments.
If you’re looking to recreate a slice of humid tropical nature for your reptile or amphibian, Exo Terra’s Coco Husk is worth strong consideration. Just be sure to remove any sharp pieces, provide proper ventilation, and maintain ideal humidity ranges. Used properly, this sustainable coconut fiber substrate can help give your pet a thriving naturalistic home.
Next Day Curb Side Pallet Delivery
Cut off is Noon/12:00pm
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3 Working Days £20.00 for all deliveries Delivered Monday-Friday End-to-end tracking Orders received after cut off will be processed on the next working day |
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Standard Curb Side Pallet Delivery
Cut off is Noon/12:00pm
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3 Working Days Delivered Monday-Friday End-to-end tracking Orders received after cut off will be processed on the next working day |
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Exo Terra Coconut husk review!!!
FAQ
What is coco husk good for?
Improved Water Retention and Drainage: Coco husks have a unique ability to retain moisture while also draining excess water effectively. This balance makes sure the plant roots receive adequate moisture without becoming waterlogged.
What is the difference between coco coir and coco husk?
Coco fiber is more processed than husk, with a texture more like hair. It holds more moisture than husk. NOTE: Coco Fiber is also sold as “Coco Coir,” so make sure you’re getting the right substrate!
What is exo terra coco husk terrarium substrate?
Exo Terra Coco Husk is made from compressed coconut husk from the plantations of tropical Asia. This ecological substrate is ideal for increasing humidity in the terrarium and is totally safe for frogs, salamanders and burrowing or digging animals.
Does coco husk hold humidity?
Coconut husk bedding can absorb large amounts of water without breaking down, making it ideal as a substrate for frogs and other species that require extremely high constant humidity.
What is Exo Terra Coco husk?
The Exo Terra Coco Husk substrate is a one hundred percent natural substrate suitable for reptiles that enjoy high humidity levels. The compressed coconut husk is sustainable, sourced from tropical Asia and is safe for amphibians and reptiles, especially those that love to dig and burrow.
Can Exo Terra Coco husk be used with a heat mat?
Exo Terra Coco Husk substrate can be used with a heat mat, as long as the heat mat is mounted below the enclosure on the outside. Using the Exo Terra Coco Husk substrate is very easy and simple. Simply open the bag, shake the husk before placing it in your enclosure to remove any dust.
What reptiles can eat Exo Terra Coco husk?
The Exo Terra Coco Husk substrate offers a good quality natural substrate that can be used with numerous reptiles that enjoy high humidity levels, such as Iguanas, Anoles, Chinese Water Dragons, Salamanders, Geckos and more.