Substrate?

[vilem]

I read that a lot of people use cypress mulch as substrate for their terrariums. What are the advantages of cypress mulch? is it mite/parasite-free?

Also I'm having a hard time finding this in canada but I have access to cedar mulch, would this be a good alternative?

Thanks

[Phrasty]

cedar mulch is not even the LAST thing you use, but it should NOT be used at all.. the oils that it emmits are potentially dangerous to a snake, if that is what you are planning to keep.

Phrasty

[vilem]

Yes I'm keeping chondros and diamond pythons.

What's so different between cedar and cypress mulch?

[Phrasty]

heres a quote taken from a caresheet : http://www.**************/ballpythonguide/


OK, What to put on the bottom of the cage, ie substrate? Well, I prefer to keep things simple, so I just use a few sheets of newspaper. It's cheap and easy to replace when soiled. Of course there are other materials you can use. I would caution to stay away, very far away, from cedar mulch. Cedar oils are toxic and can lead to deadly respiratory infections. Plant/Wood based mulches that are safe to use include: Aspen, Pine, Long Grain Sphagum Moss, and Cypress. I personally do not necessarily condone cypress mulch since whole trees are ground up to make it (Cypress is not "Environmentally Correct"). Another substrate which I've used in the past is astro-turf. Your local home supply sells it cheap, and it comes in colors which may be more pleasing to you than newspaper. I would suggest getting enough so you can switch out clean for dirty pieces. If the idea of newspaper appeals to you, but you don't like the look of the sports section, some local newspaper offices sell the ends of the unprinted paper spool.


Phrasty

[Derrick]

You have chondros and diamonds and dont know about substrates? You win the lottery?

neither snake would be considerd a starter snake. Whats the rest of your setup like?

[Derrick]

Originally posted by vilem
Yes I'm keeping chondros and diamond pythons.

What's so different between cedar and cypress mulch?

cedar and to a lesser extent pine can kill your snake over time. cypress mulch has good mold resistance which is ideal in higher humidity enclosures ie chrondos. mind you I see a lot of people go with no substrate for chrondos as they very little time off the perch. Actually any post I've read where the chrondospent a noticable amount of time on the ground end with the snake dieing.

[vilem]

I always used news paper, I'm moving into a new house and my girlfriend allowed me an entire room for my collection as long as it looks good.

No I didn't win the lottery.
No I don't have access to cypress mulch.
No I don't have a huge collection, I have 4 snakes as we speak.

I've been breeding/collecting snakes since 1990 and I don't consider myself a beginner. I house my snakes in homemade terrariums that I've built using Greg Maxwell's plans. Prior to that I was housing them in less practical custom terrariums.

So, do I pass the test?
Can you help me with my substrate problem?

[C.m.pyrrhus]

Can you help me with my substrate problem?

Without trying to be rude, as this may come off, I would assume you would know that cedar (and even pine) can have detrimental effects on reptiles and many other animals. It seems many folks have been saying this throughout this thread. If your worried about any bark substrate, simply give it a 'damp' cook in the oven for an hour just under 300° to kill of any possible parasites that may be lingering. I know of many folks, including myself, that have found mites in both commercial and reptile bark bedding products. Newspaper will also work wonders, although it does not look so appealling to the eye. Fir bark, cypress and aspen are commonly used substrates. Cypress just may be one of the better barks to use for your needs.

[Derrick]

lol wasnt a test lol and I'm in no position to be testing anyone. just seems kinda odd you didn't know about the cedar. I read about it in one of those 5$ petshop books before I bought my first snake.

Stick with the newspaper put a lock on the door and your girlfriend never has to see it. One of our newspapes has a daily sunshine girl(scantly clad lady) I always mke sure to include one in each enclosure, looks great. they also have a sunshine boy so you could mix it up to keep her happy

[shaggybill]

Has anybody ever used that indoor/outdoor carpet that looks like grass? Does it work good? If not, why?

[thunder]

i have used astroturf in the past and it works fine. it is even dishwasher safe. i keep doubles so that i can rotate them for cleaning.