My tiger salamander's cage really needs to be cleaned, but in winter its hard to get mulch to use as substrate. All I can find is some ceder mulch. Will this hurt the salamander?
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Ceder okay for tigers?
turtledude57
Feb 25, 2006 09:11 AM
Replies (10)
phwyvern
Feb 25, 2006 10:03 AM
>>My tiger salamander's cage really needs to be cleaned, but in winter its hard to get mulch to use as substrate. All I can find is some ceder mulch. Will this hurt the salamander?
Cedar is highly toxic. It will kill the salamander.
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PHWyvern
turtledude57
Feb 25, 2006 11:23 AM
Thought so. I knew it was toxic to many mammals, but I wasn't sure about amphibians. I guess I'll go to the pet shop and buy some bed-a-beast. Thanks for the reply.
Herptiles_net
Mar 01, 2006 06:11 AM
Your best bet is plain potting soil with no additives. Bed-a-Beast is made of coconut fibres, which is undigestible (even if the package says so). With a messy eater like a tiger salamander, soil is much safer in case it's accidentally ingested.
Christina
www.herptiles.net
kaysie
Mar 01, 2006 05:22 PM
I like to mix in bed-a-beast with my soil in my ambystomatid enclosures. It helps them retain burrow shape better.
Herptiles_net
Mar 01, 2006 10:22 PM
Mixed in with soil, the danger is significantly reduced, I use it mixed with soil sometimes for the same reason, as it does help the substrate retain its shape.
Christina
www.herptiles.net
Physignathus
Mar 07, 2006 04:54 PM
I use peat moss with live carpet moss in my tigers containers. Also if you hand feed your tigers you will not run the risk of them ingesting substrate. Mine like being hand fed 
I keep my marbleds on orchid moss and hand feed them as well.
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"I am all that is Divine, I am all that is Evil.
I am the one who brings forth Death,
On the wings of a Weevil." JSKII
Physignathus
Mar 07, 2006 04:56 PM
I no longer have them on gravel
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"I am all that is Divine, I am all that is Evil.
I am the one who brings forth Death,
On the wings of a Weevil." JSKII
Herptiles_net
Mar 07, 2006 09:22 PM
"Mine like being hand fed"
To be fair, though... What tiger sally DOESN'T like being fed, in any way? LOL
Christina
www.herptiles.net
jerry
Mar 12, 2006 08:24 PM
have you tried Eco Earth?it is avalable on line from Pet Smart
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norcalsnakemaster@comcast.net
Lia
Apr 18, 2006 05:32 AM
Posted by: Herptiles_net at Wed Mar 1 06:11:09 2006 [ Report Abuse ] [ Email Message ]
Your best bet is plain potting soil with no additives. Bed-a-Beast is made of coconut fibres, which is undigestible (even if the package says so). With a messy eater like a tiger salamander, soil is much safer in case it's accidentally ingested.
Christina
www.herptiles.net
I agree and suprised so few use it as its cheap enough and if eaten it passes through them. I use it for my treefrogs, salamanders and small snakes.
Its safer than any of the other substrates sold for reptiles/amphibians.
You just have to find it without chemicals,fertilizer and that white added "styrofoam" pieces.
