Nothing wrong with asking. People throw out the whole "pine is bad" comment all the time, and yet, years ago we had snakes for 15 years on pine with no problems. The facts are that pine does contain a toxic substance in the oils and sap mainly. If there is too much of that substance in the wood, for example fresh-cut wood or like Don said, from those areas in the tree where concentration is greatest, then there could be a problem in a cage with low ventilation - i.e. many rack systems used today.

Aspen is safer definitely in this regard. But, clean dry pine in a cage with ample ventilation (what is ample? well, more than a shoebox with some holes) may not be a killer. For me though, all it takes is one breeder to report problems, and I figure to listen.

[ Hide Replies ]

• More substrate debate - AbsoluteRae, Tue Feb 17 23:55:28 2004
• RE: More substrate debate - Sybella, Wed Feb 18 00:37:00 2004
• RE: More substrate debate - SiLeNcE, Wed Feb 18 09:28:35 2004
• N E V E R use that. . . - DonSoderberg, Wed Feb 18 09:32:31 2004
• thank you Don! - IcedGoddess, Wed Feb 18 09:46:55 2004
• RE: N E V E R use that. . . - Tigergenesis, Wed Feb 18 18:03:37 2004
• RE: N E V E R use that. . . - DonSoderberg, Wed Feb 18 18:30:31 2004
• Thank you! np - Tigergenesis, Wed Feb 18 18:33:50 2004
• but why... - AbsoluteRae, Wed Feb 18 19:14:15 2004
• RE: but why... - draybar, Wed Feb 18 20:33:49 2004
• RE: but why... - Steve_Craig, Wed Feb 18 23:04:09 2004
• red head status - AbsoluteRae, Thu Feb 19 00:53:20 2004
• RE: red head status - Tigergenesis, Thu Feb 19 05:40:14 2004
• RE: red head status and facts, sort of - markg, Thu Feb 19 14:46:14 2004
• Vets are great for mammals,reptiles are another subject. - Gargoyle420, Thu Feb 19 08:35:41 2004
• To find more information - aplaxco, Thu Feb 19 10:47:27 2004
• RE: N E V E R use that. . . - boo, Mon Feb 23 21:28:45 2004
• RE: N E V E R use that. . . - lunar-reptiles, Wed Feb 25 12:12:04 2004