I've always used reptile carpet but wanted something that looked a little more natural, so today I changed Kings substrate to zoomed repti bark.

Well after a about four hours of him laying in his hide I picked him up and his belly looks a little reddish/pinkish in color, also when I was putting the repti bark in I got a small sliver from it.

Can this stuff irratate their bottom? I'm a little worried and thinking about throwing this stuff out and going back to reptile carpet. Its nice to have a cool looking terriam but I don't want to sacrifice his health or comfort in anyway just because it looks better.

Does it take time to get used to a new substrate?