Is this substrate ok?

I'm a new BP owner and have done some research on BP husbandry. However, where I am located, aspen shavings are pretty hard to find. I am currently using newspaper for substrate since I am putting my BP under observation for recurring mites that were recently removed.

As such, to prepare for the actual substrate, I have bought this for my feeder mice and intend to use it for my BP. However, I'm not sure if its safe to use for BPs.

The language on the packaging is German, but I have put all the texts through Google Translate. The only descriptions worth mentioning were "hard wood shavings", "odour control" etc etc..

Can anyone confirm if this bedding is indeed safe for BPs?

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...psqldkm5cs.jpg

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...pstopv15iv.jpg

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...psdmsye8rp.jpg

Well, that is a variety of "softwoods" which means it is pine, cedar, spruce, fir. Honestly it isnt good for any of your animals. I wouldnt use it at all if you have ANY other option. Newspaper or paper towels would be a better option IMO.

softwood shavings such as pine and cedar stem from the natural, armotic chemicals called phenols that give the woods their natural aroma. These phenols interact with the liver and respiratory system in the body, potentially producing unwanted and harmful side-effects.

You want a hardwood shaving. Hardwoods are the botanical group of trees that have broad leaves, produce a fruit or nut, and generally go dormant in the winter. On the other hand, softwoods, or conifers, from the Latin word meaning "cone-bearing," have needles. Widely available softwoods include cedar, fir, hemlock, pine, redwood, spruce and cypress.

EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG- Schelmenwasenstr. 15, 70567 Stuttgart
Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany +49 (0) 711 28982454

they advertise for wood shavings/chips/bark/saw dust. you may want to try them, or look for lumber yards near you instead of using a packaged product?

Hope this helps!

the german word for hardwood is hartholz. The packaging you showed says weichholz, which means softwood.

Unless you are trying to make it pretty newspaper or paper towels seems to work pretty well. Easy to keep clean.

another way you can tell is if a reptile is placed on the packaging of substrate, then it should be ok...

I thought about this substrate as well, also from Germany, I had exactly this for my mice once and as far as I remember it made a lot of "dust" (when moved), so I assumed that it wasn't a good one to use for snakes..

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thanks kokoro! i will definitely keep that in mind! :oops:

Try checking with a local feed store.

stay away from anything with dust particles (well minimise it). Pine/cedar is a no.

You can use Pine (yes I said it now let's get the popcorn), you can use aspen, you can use cypress mulch (including some blends).

Not sure where you are located but if you are set on Aspen here is where I get mine http://www.petfooddirect.com/product...ressed-bedding

I have a fairly large number of enclosures so I order 6 at the time and get free shipping.

You can also find it locally in feed store, tractor supply some walmarts