BLUE TONGUE SKINKS

I know there are many threads about this already- I've been reading about it for days, took a break, started reading again,... But I am a bit stuck. Every time I think I've found the 'right bedding' there's always something that makes me doubt my choice.

I have a Merauke and I currently use Reptibark for him but it's not good for burrowing. I did make a 'moss bath' for him in the corner of the cage and I spread the moss through the terra (underneath a hide par example). It does make it easier for him to dig and he seems to enjoy it but it doesn't last long since he of course spreads it through the terra.
I also put some leftover aspen snake bedding in his 'main hide' and he loved digging into it.

To sum up what I thought about:

Cypress mulch
Pro: good for burrowing, looks decent.
Con: not environmental friendly, I read it sometimes contains mites (?) and once it dries out it's water resistant.

Coconut husk fiber
Pro: good for burrowing, environmental friendly, doesn't dry out that easily.
Con: I read it can get stuck in the skink's eyes, that the skink 'swims' in it because it's not dense enough, it's dusty and that it could be bad for the skink's health.

Shaved aspen
Pro: relatively good for burrowing, cheap.
Con: looks cheap, not humid, I am not sure if the right thickness is available in my country.

Shredded aspen
Pro: good for burrowing, cheap.
Con: also looks cheap, sharp pieces could get stuck in the scales/eyes (so far he hasn't had any problems with this), not humid.

Now I came across 'creature soil', forest floor bedding, jungle earth and rain forest. What 'bothers' me about the description of some of these beddings is that it's 'treated with heat to reduce bacterial contamination'. I also assume it could get stuck in the skink's nose etc.

There's also the option to mix certain substrates but I forgot which ones exactly. I do like Reptibark, it's easy to clean and it smells like a sauna. Regardless of the substrate I am planning to buy more (fake) plants and hides but I am not sure if that'll fulfill his desire to dig.

So I guess I am asking what the best option is? Are there any other options? If there's a bedding I could mix with Reptibark- that'd probably be great.

Hello there. I have used Zilla Jungle Mix and then Reptibark on top for my Merauke and Northern both. Both love it, and burrow through it all the time. I have never had an issue with shedding for either.

Thank you Janella!

Another (maybe stupid) question. I am looking for more hides/decoration but I was wondering if decorations with holes could potentially be dangerous? Something like this:
https://cdn.webshopapp.com/shops/93056/ ... stronk.jpg
https://cdn.webshopapp.com/shops/93056/ ... stronk.jpg

Maybe I worry too much but I can see him trying to push himself through it even though it doesn't fit. (I wanted to get the first one so he can crawl over/on it but then I noticed the hole.)

Hello again and your very welcome. So, as for hides...my suggestion is if your adult skink can fit through the holes, then it is fine. If it isn't then don't use it. The second picture is fine, but just be careful on them trying to climb and then falling or climbing and using something to help escape. Some of my personal favorite hides are caves, cork bark, and half logs. I also LOVE PCV tube hides. The PCV can be buried and part stick out or covered with substrate to add more fun. The skinks really love them.

The second one is not the best example indeed. I am trying to find thicker logs (not hides) but they're for some reason not easy to find. I thought this one could've been great but I am not sure if the holes are big enough. https://cdn.webshopapp.com/shops/93056/ ... ksteen.jpg

PVC tubes are a good idea too and the cork bark looks nice. I think they had some cork bark at 'my' reptile store but it was stored outside and I didn't trust it regarding potential bacteria and stuff (I can't put it in the oven to clean it where I live).
Though I have no idea why it's so hard to find a simple rock with a flat top. He enjoys climbing so that's why I am searching for higher surfaces specifically. (He already has three hides- one higher wooden log, several plants he can burrow himself under and of course a stone underneath the heating lamp but he's not easily satisfied. But I might be projecting since I am also extremely picky.)

Edit: Jungle Mix is of course not available in my country. Jungle Earth from Exo Terra does almost seem to be the same (except that it doesn't contain sphagnum moss).
Edit 2: I think 'Rain Forest' is almost the same as the Zilla Jungle Mix.