Nut blend bedding

[Rattlehead]

Hi all. I saw the other day in a reptile shop an enclosure with this Nut blend bedding, I liked the sand-like texture for my Cali kingsnake and decided to give it a try. Does anybody have any experience with this kind of bedding?

[Rattlehead]

After doing some quick research, I found this:

"Walnut Cob/Walnut Litter/"Desert Sand"
Many years ago, bird keepers became aware of the problem associated with using walnut shell litter for their birds: shortly after being wetted with water or feces and urates, a colony of bacteria started growing, often underneath the surface of the litter. So, what happened when the walnut shell recyclers found they'd lost a significant share of the bird market? Repackaged their crushed shells for reptiles, of course! One went one step farther and touted theirs as safer than sand. Given that I've never seen sand get moldy, that's a pretty odd claim to make. Why is walnut shell (and corn cob, for that matter) not suitable for reptiles? Aside from promoting bacterial and fungal growth (yes, even when they have been "heat treated" at the factory), they can stick to the hemipenes/cloacal tissue when it is everted during defecation and are thus retracted up into the body, causing irritations and inflammation. They also cause irritation, inflammation or injury to the digestive tract if ingested intentionally or accidentally - and no matter how closely you watch your reptile, you aren't watching it 24/7. If that reptile is an arboreal lizard who spends a great deal of time investigating new things with its tongue, ingestion is guarantee."

I think I will desist to use it. Too bad! It looks cool

[Cmwells90]

After doing some quick research, I found this:

"Walnut Cob/Walnut Litter/"Desert Sand"
Many years ago, bird keepers became aware of the problem associated with using walnut shell litter for their birds: shortly after being wetted with water or feces and urates, a colony of bacteria started growing, often underneath the surface of the litter. So, what happened when the walnut shell recyclers found they'd lost a significant share of the bird market? Repackaged their crushed shells for reptiles, of course! One went one step farther and touted theirs as safer than sand. Given that I've never seen sand get moldy, that's a pretty odd claim to make. Why is walnut shell (and corn cob, for that matter) not suitable for reptiles? Aside from promoting bacterial and fungal growth (yes, even when they have been "heat treated" at the factory), they can stick to the hemipenes/cloacal tissue when it is everted during defecation and are thus retracted up into the body, causing irritations and inflammation. They also cause irritation, inflammation or injury to the digestive tract if ingested intentionally or accidentally - and no matter how closely you watch your reptile, you aren't watching it 24/7. If that reptile is an arboreal lizard who spends a great deal of time investigating new things with its tongue, ingestion is guarantee."

I think I will desist to use it. Too bad! It looks cool

Hey thanks for the info, always good to know what to avoid!

[Minkness]

Seriously! Thanks for the heads up. I'm always on the look out for something more 'natural' thank aspen. Good to know what to stay away from.

[Rattlehead]

You're welcome guys! No doubts preferring health over aesthetics.

[pdomensis]

I used this with my bearded dragon for a few months. He definitely ingested bits of it when he ate or tested things with his tongue, but I can't say he suffered any more from it than he might have with sand. It was great for burrowing.

[jjhill001]

Seriously! Thanks for the heads up. I'm always on the look out for something more 'natural' thank aspen. Good to know what to stay away from.

Use dirt from your yard.

Edit: Assuming there isn't pesticides or herbicides in it.

[Minkness]

I live in an apartment complex =/

And I have fairly aired types so most substrates hold too much moisture.