Lavender Bedding?

[Sam Rickim]

I just recently got a "rescue" ball after four years of not owning a ball. Last time I had one I was fourteen-fifteen. I remember less than nothing I have her in a 10 (she's a juvenile) that I've rigged with lights and the necessary stuff, I just need to work on the humidity. I've been spritzing to keep it up.

I needed to get a tank set up for her quick, so I grabbed the bedding with the lowest dust rating I could find. I found "lavender" bedding, which smells nice and is supposedly natural but I'm worried that this might bother her somehow. She's already a tad underweight and refused food when I gave it to her. I brought her to Underground Reptiles and someone was kind enough to show me what to feed her (I fed her frozen pinkies before, but they recommended live hoppers and it worked!) Since she's in a not-so-great state, I want everything to be perfect. Would the lavender bedding hurt her?

[The Serpent Merchant]

Is this what you are talking about?

http://www.petmountain.com/product/p...der-scent.html

I wouldn't use that stuff...

I prefer paper based substrates like paper towels, newspaper, butchers paper, and corrugated wrap.

These are super easy to keep clean, and are dust free.

Aspen shavings, cypress mulch, and coco husk (eco-earth) are all good choices as well.

Never use cedar as it is toxic. If you don't know what is in a substrate don't risk it.

[rabernet]

Agreed, I wouldn't use that either. If you prefer a "filler" substrate, use newspaper until you can pick up some aspen or cypress mulch, rather than that.

Scented worries me with their respiration, and the dust from it worries me even more.

[rabernet]

By the way - welcome to the site! Look forward to getting to know you!

[Homegrownscales]

I agree i wouldn't use anything that purposely had a smell like that.
Go with aspen or plain shredded paper if you like the loose subs.
Or news paper, or papertowel if you like the sheeted sub.
I stay away from the smelling pretty stuff.


Check out what's new on my website... www.Homegrownscales.com

[Sam Rickim]

Thank you all for your help! I'm going to remove it on the next cleaning and probably use it for breeding feeder mice. I understand RI are a big deal for snakes, and I want to avoid stressing out my baby too much.

[Homegrownscales]

I'm not so sure I would wait. I'm also not sure if lavender would react with them the same way cedar does. Being toxic or stressful to their respiratory system. A little stress due to changing the bedding right off or waiting and having serious issues because of the bedding. I'd pick the bit of stress in the beginning rather than an illness. Just be sure to give her more private time after its changed. Personally I wouldn't wait. But that's just me. Combined the folks here have been working with these guys for decades. I'd be concerned if none of us have ever used that bedding nor do we know if it's harmful or not. Don't chance it by waiting till the next cleaning.


Check out what's new on my website... www.Homegrownscales.com

[rabernet]

I'm not so sure I would wait. I'm also not sure if lavender would react with them the same way cedar does. Being toxic or stressful to their respiratory system. A little stress due to changing the bedding right off or waiting and having serious issues because of the bedding. I'd pick the bit of stress in the beginning rather than an illness. Just be sure to give her more private time after its changed. Personally I wouldn't wait. But that's just me. Combined the folks here have been working with these guys for decades. I'd be concerned if none of us have ever used that bedding nor do we know if it's harmful or not. Don't chance it by waiting till the next cleaning.


Check out what's new on my website... www.Homegrownscales.com

Agreed - I wouldn't wait - I'd change it out immediately to newspaper or paper towel until you can get something else. Especially since it's scented.