Newby question on bedding for BP

[hlh1]

I've read that cedar and pine bedding is bad, how about "lizard litter" that's made from ground up walnut shells? Would this be ok?

[George1994]

http://www.petco.com/product/118350/...rd-Litter.aspx If it is similar to that stuff then yeah it should be okay. A lot of people use aspen chippings in their setups. I use it in mine. I've not heard of this walnut stuff, why do you want to use that specifically?

[somnambulant]

Personally, I would steer clear of walnut as substrate for your snake. Walnut shavings are very coarse and sharp, which is why you can find ground walnut shell in some body scrubs. I would be worried about it hurting their skin, or of them ingesting some and tearing up their insides.

I use aspen and have never had an issue. It's easy to spot clean and they like moving it around.


This is the stuff you're talking about, right?

[hlh1]

Ok, good warning about walnut, and yes that's what I'm talking about. I'll look for the Aspen bedding. thanks!

[SavannahSnake]

shredded Aspen. Absolutely the best and easy to spot clean and do a full clean. I also use a little terrarium moss in a couple of corners, which help to hold humidity.

[albinos_rule]

I have found aspen works the best for me

[200xth]

I've read that cedar and pine bedding is bad

Pine bedding is fine.

[Fraido]

Pine bedding is fine.

Is it? I thought it was only okay if it was "kiln-dried" or something. It's been drilled into me for so long that "pine is bad! Never use it!"

[MarkS]

Is it? I thought it was only okay if it was "kiln-dried" or something. It's been drilled into me for so long that "pine is bad! Never use it!"

That's a lot of bunk. I know some pretty successful snake breeders who have used nothing but pine for decades without any ill effects. I would MUCH rather keep snakes on pine chips rather then ground walnut shell. Not because of the material it's made of but because of the size. Ground walnut shell would be MUCH easier for snakes to accidentally ingest then chips of pine wood making it much easier for them to become impacted. I've heard it said that pine oil resins are bad and that's why kiln dried is necessary but I don't know of anyone who has experienced an issue with it (unlike cedar which I have personal experience with as being dangerous for snakes) Personally I just keep my snakes on unprinted newpaper and avoid the issue altogether.

[Fraido]

That's a lot of bunk. I know some pretty successful snake breeders who have used nothing but pine for decades without any ill effects. I would MUCH rather keep snakes on pine chips rather then ground walnut shell. Not because of the material it's made of but because of the size. Ground walnut shell would be MUCH easier for snakes to accidentally ingest then chips of pine wood making it much easier for them to become impacted. I've heard it said that pine oil resins are bad and that's why kiln dried is necessary but I don't know of anyone who has experienced an issue with it (unlike cedar which I have personal experience with as being dangerous for snakes) Personally I just keep my snakes on unprinted newpaper and avoid the issue altogether.

Hmm.. thanks for the info!