Living in Indiana, almost every corner gas station sells 40 pound of cypress mulch. Usually 3 bags for $9.99.
I use it for all my hatchlings, up until they are about six months old. Then I switch them to unprinted newsprint.
I also use it for my WC females. I belive it is more to their liking then any other material that most hobbyists use.
Pro and Con of Cypress:
Pro, it is cheap. Pro, it retains moisture like nothing else. Pro, it does not mold. Pro, you can recycle it. When I clean out cages, I use the old mulch in my flower beds. No waste.
Con, not a very good renewable resource. They cut down acres and acres of Cypress to make the mulch. Con, it's heavy. Con, it's messy.
But, I believe the Pro's out weigh the Con's pretty well.
It's a pain when it comes to cleaning, but hatchlings do wonders on it. WC animals do much better on it then say newspaper or pine shavings.
Won't hurt to try it for a few months, and see how it works for you.
Good Luck
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Ron Billingsley
www.ronbillingsleyreptiles.com

[ Hide Replies ]

• Cypress as substrate? - FireStorm, Tue Jun 12 18:51:15 2007
• RE: Cypress as substrate? - thebigsquease, Tue Jun 12 19:04:36 2007
• RE: Cypress as substrate? - Amelia, Tue Jun 12 19:11:04 2007
• RE: Cypress as substrate? - jyohe, Tue Jun 12 19:27:39 2007
• RE: Cypress as substrate? - FireStorm, Wed Jun 13 04:52:21 2007
• Cypress is awesome! - zefdin, Wed Jun 13 06:54:09 2007
• How do you spot clean? - mikebell, Wed Jun 13 07:28:52 2007
• RE: How do you spot clean? - zefdin, Wed Jun 13 07:57:54 2007
• RE: How do you spot clean? - JenHarrison, Wed Jun 13 23:28:26 2007