Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have been posting on the feeder forum, and learned that cedar, despite it's attractiveness because of the odor control for our mouse colony, is dangerous because the oils are toxic to my BP. I switched this weekend to pine, which is SO soft, I don't know why I didn't try it before! It does not smell heavily of pine, and I have been told on the feeder forum that my BP should not have any reactions to any residue on the mice.

How about adding some pine to my BP's enclosure for maintaining heat through the winter? any opinions?

thanks,
Muggle

I am currently using newspaper for her substrate, which works great, but I want her to be able to stay warmer. I can't quite get her temps up where I would like them to be. She is in a glass aquarium until tax season, when we are getting a better one for her, and has a human heating pad under her on high, and a lamp on during the day. I also have a beach towel around 3 of the sides of the tank and covering 3/4 of the top.

thanks

Cedar is not good for anything as a bedding really, not even for your mice. You shouldn't use pine for your snake either, if you are wanting to use a wood chip, use aspen!! As far as heating your cage just upgrade size of watt or even add another lamp and use two lights!!

Cedar and pine are one in the same. They are detrimental to rats and mice if used as a bedding. Both contains phenols. Stick with newspaper.

From Anthony Caponetto's Care Sheet

http://reptiles.drivennewmedia.com/ball_python_care.htm

3. Substrate

Aspen - Very easy to maintain and looks good. You can scoop out soiled aspen as needed without replacing all of it. You'll only need to completely change it out every 1-2 months.

Newspaper or Indented Craft Paper - My favorites...Affordable and just as easy as anything. Newspaper is effective, but doesn't look as good as Indented Craft Paper (aka Disposable Cage Liner).

Cypress Mulch - Cypress holds it's humidity ten times better than Aspen. Just plain Cypress Mulch that's available at Wal-Mart. Do not use the variety that is dyed red. A $2.00 bag of Cypress Mulch will easily last an entire first year with a single hatchling Ball Python. Use it the same way that you would use Aspen, but change it out more often if necessary.

REMEMBER NEVER TO USE CEDAR, as it can be toxic to reptiles.

thanks for your help
Muggle

Check out this article, this person seems to think its ok.

http://groups.msn.com/Snakesmore/cedarwoodandreptiles.msnw

"Dr. Evans states that the extracts of cedar and other soft woods, such as pine, contain a number of aromatic (volatile) compounds including hydrocarbons, cedrene and cadrol. Naphthalene (the active ingredient in moth balls) is also a member but is a distinct compound....
...Personally, I continued to use pine shavings as a substrate for my colubrid and small boid snakes after I write the cedar substrate article."

Then again...
Another interesting article.
http://exoticpets.about.com/library/weekly/aa011501a.htm?once=true&

Thank you so much for your replies. I love how you have the exact link for your reference. You have been a great help. thank you!

))))

Muggle