Substrate Confusion?

[Bodie]

I was browsing through different types of substrates and came across one made by Exo Terra called jungle earth. I have never used it before and like how it looked. So the first website I saw this on, I was reading the description on the bag and it just says 100% natural substrate. I was curious if chewys would be cheaper so I looked it up over there. They have it for sale but the description on the bag is different. Instead of saying 100% natural substrate, it says 100% natural pine bark. I am assuming that both are the same material. Everything I have always read and have been told is that cedar and pine are toxic to reptiles (especially snakes), but on both bags it says it is perfect for reptiles, amphibians, etc. With everything said, I think I will just stick with cypress or coco fiber. I was just curious if you guys have any input if this stuff is safe. I included pics of the two different bags. Hopefully the pics come out clear

[fadingdaylight]

That is odd, the materials in the bags don't even look the same.

[MarkL1561]

Weird, I’d stick to coconut husk/fiber.


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[Danger noodles]

I use coconut fiber as well. Never any impacting when accidentally swallowed so I wouldn’t change to any kind of pine. Seems like it can splinter, swell, or be toxic... but I don’t know for sure just my opinion. But I’m not going to experiment with it lol

[Danger noodles]

It looks like they updated the package btw. It says heat treated,odor absorption, as well as has that new code thing u can scan with ur phone

[Bodie]

I agree. I am not going to try it, but it is odd that that they sell pine bark as a reptile substrate when everything you read is that pine is toxic to reptiles. Does it being heat treated make it safe? I am just curious

[Bogertophis]

It's a great question & I sure don't know either. You'd have to buy one & see if any detectable odor...but that also might change with the addition of heat &-or
humidity. I'm not sure how much pine oils are in the bark, but like you, I'm skeptical: just because someone (even a big company) wants to sell something doesn't
mean that it's safe or even that it has been tested. If you had a back-up use for it (as garden mulch, for example) you might try it & offer your thoughts, but other-
wise I wouldn't rush to buy it either.

I wonder which package is the newer? Sometimes there are dates hidden in the fine print. Might be able to ask a company rep also, but whether you could trust what they'd tell you...?

[Bodie]

Yeah....I have and will use other substrate. I am a fan of various exo terra products, but this is weird. I really hope that they wouldn't sell something that could/would could be toxic. Maybe it being bark or heat treated makes it ok? I just don't know. But rather be safe than sorry