pine bedding

[PitViper]

I know this may be a really dumb question but is pine shavings suitable for keeping juvenile boas on?? [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif[/img]
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[bensnacks]

I have heard recently that pine
does have some nasties in it, however
I'm not sure of the details, I'm sure one of
these guys will know.
G'day & welcome to the site by the way. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]
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Pine shavings are unacceptable. Pine contains oils much like cedar, which are a major irritant to the respiratory system.

A better alternative would be aspen. I've even been able to find it in the pathetic pet aisle of grocery stores, and of course pet stores.
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[billy]

I have heard the same pine is bad for snakes, use aspen it is safe and you can probly get it form the same pet store you get food for your snake.
Welcome to red tail boa.
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[shaolinzero]

i wont even put my rat in pine. it can cause them serious respiratory problems. of course, the pet stores wont tell you this. bastards! he uses that grey recycled paper stuff. i would think it would work well for snakes too as long as you clean it often.
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[Countryboy]

Try Cypress mulch it's really cheap and it holds humididty great. You can get a big bag of it got about 3 bucks at Lowes or Walmart in the Garden section.
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[Reticu-Lady]

About the grey recycled newspaper, are you reffering to the pellets like 'Yesterday's News' cat litter? I tried that for a while in Murray's cage, it got very dusty after a bit. Seems like when they urinate or spill their water, the pellets break apart and get dusty, but only at the very bottom of the cage, where you really don't notice it, but your snake is stuck in/on it. Makes a great cat litter, though, but I wouldn't recommend it for snakes. I use cypress mulch and/or newspaper. For Kym, I lay a large layer of nespare under the cypress because s/he loves to dump his/her water. It's easier for me to grab the newspaper and just roll it up with the cypress, I can then lay it out on a screen to dry it out. I know boas like humidity, but Kym goes a bit overboard. lol
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[BoaBabe]

Has anyone here ever heard of using Sphagnum mulch? I was looking for Cypress mulch in the local Home Depot, and they didn't have any, but they did have this. I know sphagum moss is ok, but never heard of anyone using sphagnum mulch.
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[cb76]

pine, while not as toxic as cedar has its own set of oils and irritants too.

best bet is not to use it. like they all said- aspen, cyprus, are excellent and i highly recomend them both.

good luck

william
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[shaolinzero]

no, mine isnt pellets. its more like chunks of pulp or something. its not dusty at all and absorbs the smell form my rat better than anyhting else ive used.

[XzyluM]

I would go with newspaper, cypress mulch, or aspen bedding. They seems to work best, each one with their own ups and downs. I use a bedding called Naturebark, it holds heat and keeps the humidity up. It's pretty expensive, $10 for a little bag. I'm planning on using Aspen bedding once I get my new viv built. Anyways, I would stay away from pine. There is great possibility that it could harm your snake and even cause death.
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[Dr.Oviparous]

o.k. cypres mulch..... thats what I use. did we ever come to a real conclusion in that other post if the stuff in the pet store is different from the stuff at wal-mart? wal-mart is like half the price, at least. it would be great if was the same stuff. -Juggalo
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[Barrin]

You can't use anything Pine...
not even to clean the cage...
Pinesole or Lysol
True true [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
I like Echo earth or orchird bark.
I just use newspaper for my rats though. ( but not the classifieds)
I read that to look for new snakes... [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_razz.gif[/img]
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Jug..I use that stuff also for many reptiles I keep for years. Including one snakes cage that is a boa atm also. Another snake is also on it here atm. I buy mine from either walm-mart or hd depends on which I go to when I need it. I just bake it first before placing in the cage is all.

NO You can NOT use pine for your snakes at all . Just like the others have said here.
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[Dr.Oviparous]

how do you bake it? 450 or so? how long? in a pot of water, or just on the ol' cookie sheet?
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[Reticu-Lady]

I use aspen on my babies and cypress on the big guys. Maybe I am being silly, but the aspen looks softer and more comfortable for delicate little babies to burrow in. I wonder if there is a chance of finding aspen at Home Depot or WalMart? I have to use a whole bag of cypress for Murray's cage alone. I like aspen better, but it costs more. I want to use aspen for Kym becaused Kym is so dark, I thought aspen would look better. Does anyone know of large supplies of aspen? Cypress is just so dirty looking. (Looks great with my snow corn though)
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I just place it on a cookie sheet or such and bake it at like 250 degrees for about 3 hours is all.

Yeah I wish Justme ! I actually have to grab my aspen when I am down south , can't find it anywhere around this area at all.
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