If you use regular mulch, be sure to use a hardwood mulch or cypress mulch. Cedar is definitely toxic and pine mulch can also cause problems because of the aromatic oils (which are similar to those of cedar). I know a lot of people use pine shavings (sold in pet stores for small animals) but that has usually been kiln dried, eliminating most of the oils from it (I personally still wouldn't risk it). Aspen shavings are also good, but a bit more expensive. Be aware that with mulch from the garden center/hardware store, there can - and usually are - critters in it. It's kept outdoors in most cases and, as Hoppy said, can cause mite infestations because the little critters are already in it. You could probably bake it in the oven in small batches at 200-250F for 30 minutes or so to try to kill off anything, just be sure to keep an eye on it (no sense burning your house down should it get too hot and combust).



FWIW, I tried cypress mulch years ago and while it did retain humidity well, it sure makes a mess too. There's also the risk of ingestion. My big boas all liked to try to burrow in it, so there was often small bits of it sticking between their scales and it was always all over the place when I pulled them out of their cages. I tried newspaper and it works well but it shows as dark smudges on light colored snakes, giving them a sort of dirty wash over their colors. I still use it for new snakes in quarantine, but otherwise use old cotton sheets. They're absorbant, look nice enough, the snakes seem to enjoy burrowing under and between them, and they make clean-up a snap (shake solids into trash or commode and drop the sheets into the washer with bleach and soap).



Hope this helps.

Raven

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