I noticed a product at the home center and I thought it might make good bedding for my snake racks. I wanted to get opinions on it before I put my snakes on it though. It's ground up rubber pieces about the same size and texture of cypress mulch. It is intended to replace mulch and stones for kids' playgrounds and other landscaping. It says non-toxic all over it and boasts that it is entirely safe for use around children. With the way we go through mulch it would be very cost-effective because you can wash it. Aside from humidity, can anyone think of a reason that this would not make good bedding for ball pythons?
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Spider
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Cypress mulch bedding alternative?
spider916
Dec 23, 2007 06:31 PM
Replies (4)
jnjreptiles
Dec 23, 2007 07:15 PM
My biggest concern would be sanitation as the urates(sp) and feces would probably just drain through it and make a bacteria pit on the bottom of the box.
Other than that it sounds like a interesting idea.
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avdnco
Dec 23, 2007 07:51 PM
Wouldn't that give off toxic fumes when heated?
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"There is a fine line between a hobby and mental illness"
FireStorm
Dec 23, 2007 07:52 PM
You might want to see how it is when it gets warm before you use it in the tubs. I know some shredded rubber products give off a pretty strong odor on hot days...I'm not sure about the one you're asking about, though.
Shelly
BrandonSander
Dec 24, 2007 01:33 AM
The others are right, it will most likely give off fumes when it is heated and even if you wash it well (even on a weekly basis) the small pieces will trap water inside small fissures and pores and allow for bacteria and mold to breed fairly easily.
Plus, even if it is nontoxic this doesn't necessarily mean it is safe for consumption. Chances are your snakes will end up consuming at least a small amount of the material. Compaction would be a concern of mine. Also, ball pythons have very strong stomach acids so even if they do not become compacted there will be some digestion of these pieces of rubber... how they will be broken down or be absorbed into your snakes blood stream is impossible to tell. As are the results of such a scenario. They could be completely harmless or they could be lethal. Neurological, hormonal or reproductive problems could also be possibilities.
Nontoxic for humans to come into contact with does not mean nontoxic for snakes to accidentally consume on a semi-regular basis.
