2006-10-01 16:14:29 · 13 answers · asked by Robert U 2 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
Pine bedding has been a point of controversy among the herpatologist world because it is said to be toxic to reptiles. Even though nothing bad may happen out of using pine shavings/wood chips, I would advise not using it at all just to avoid any problems that may arise from it.
I have usually used Astroturf in my snakes' cages. It's relatively inexpensive nowadays and they're SOOOOO easy to clean! What I would suggest is finding out what type of environment/geographic location your snake is from. Is it a desert species? A rainforest species? You'll want to work your terrarium around what environment the snake is from.
Also, if you use any type of wood chips, make sure that they are large enough so that the snake may not accidentally ingest them.
Good luck!
2006-10-01 16:55:14 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have used both, however, I found that the snakes that were kept on the pine seemed to develop more respiratory problems, so I stopped using it.
Aspen is definitely the better choice. It is a very dry wood without all of the oils of pine that cause problems.
If you decide to use it, try to find the very fine shredded Aspen instead of the large shavings. The fine shred packs down nicely and actually looks really nice in an enclosure. The other advantage to the finer shreds is if you feed in your cage, the snakes don't get mouthfuls of wood when they are trying to swallow their food like they can when you use the larger shavings. I've had to dislodge shavings from snakes teeth -- not fun.
The shred stays where it's supposed to. It is great stuff, in my opinion.
Don't use the newspaper and recycled pulpy paper looking stuff. That stuff sucks all the humidity out of your snakes skin making it hard for them to shed. Those products, even though advertised for reptiles, should really just be used for rodents. -- Also just my opinion.
Good luck hunting down the perfect bedding material!
2006-10-01 18:26:42 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i'm a herpetology important. no man or woman on right it truly is conscious some thing. You not in any respect opt for to apply accepted "timber chips" maximum are dealt with with chemical substances. I have cornsnakes, and king snakes and a boa. and some different random reptiles. all of them have aspen bedding. information paper OR ANY PAPER isn't secure. have you ever had a paper decrease? Paper towels aren't any more a good theory both, the bleach it really is used to make the paper towels white is extremely poisonous! extremely, you ought to have carried out the analyze earlier to procure the snake. I guess its captivating although. i like snakes. Its an obsession, and that i dont like seeing human beings supply undesirable suggestion at the same time as they dont recognize some thing about the issue. i wish this helps
2016-11-25 21:46:37 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
some snakes are actually alergic to certain wooden bedding chips. Ask your pet store, let them know what kind of snake you have. The trouble with wood is its easy to ingest while eating. Indoor/outdoor carpet is great and an be cleaned so easily. I put mine in the washing machine and it comes out great. Don't use news paper because of the ink.
2006-10-01 19:30:50 · answer #4 · answered by LisaMarie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
of the two, aspen. It's softer, slightly less dusty, and I've heard that pine can be toxic to reptiles. Other options are reptile carpet, newspaper, paper towels, cypress mulch, etc... If they need high humidity I recommend Jungle Mix.
2006-10-01 17:04:09 · answer #5 · answered by snake_girl85 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i use outdoor green carpeting in my snake cage. washable, easy 2 manage, & u can decorate it nicely. i also use brown sometimes. i dont think any type oe wood shaveings is good 4 ur snake, as they can contain small partcules of dust whitch can inhibit their smelling ability. and also clog their nose.
2006-10-01 17:34:37 · answer #6 · answered by big foot 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I like aspen, cheap, affective, holds moisture, thats all thats needed
2006-10-05 13:33:32 · answer #7 · answered by bullshiznit39 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
dont use either they both can cause scale rot due to the oils in the wood i was told to use plain newspaper with no ink on it trust me from experiance you dont want to have to deal with scale rot its not pretty and its a ever lasting color on your snake
2006-10-02 12:04:17 · answer #8 · answered by turtlesducky 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I dont recomend either. I use Cypress Mulch.it keeps the tank perfuct
2006-10-05 08:02:57 · answer #9 · answered by Dee T 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't know I'm deathly afraid of snakes.
2006-10-01 16:22:00 · answer #10 · answered by couchP56 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋