Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Will it affect the snake in any way?

it will kill them but if that is what you are going for. pine shavings are toxic and all cedar is toxic to reptiles. i would just use aspen and call it a day.
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0.1 Albino Cal. King (Fokker)
1.0 Reverse Okeetee Corn (trouble)
0.1 Creamsicle Corn (Spot)
1.1 Bearded Dragons (Bob & Margret)
1.1 Dogs(George and Ladybird) they are rescues.
1.0 Betta
0.1 Wife
0.1 Kid

No, that is definitely not what I'm going for. I've been doing some research and from what I've read, pine shavings are fine and cedar shavings are not. Where did you get the information that pine shavings will kill a snake?

>>Pine is NOT ok
cedar is NOT ok
use paper towels, newspaper or aspen
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Remember, My posts are MY opinion only!
Jimmy (draybar)

pine IS ok

it was in an issue of reptiles. and ive used it with no probs before with my corn

They don't contain the dirty ink, and they aren't dusty. Although I use aspen with no problems. I like how it looks and the fact that they can borrow in it. I do use paper towels for new snakes for alittle while so I can make sure that everyhting is right with them. Eventually they get switched to aspen though. Everything I have read says no pine or cedar also. I happen to believe what the big breeders like Don and Kathy say. After all they have been doing this for years they should know.
I don't think that there was a cause to get rude about this, after all people were just giving their opinions. Isn't what this forum is for, to ask questions, and get other peoples opinions?
As far as that goes, you got some advice, but you will do what you want to anyway.
This is just my .02.
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SpardaWolf
17 Corns,5 Ratsnakes, 1 Ball Python, 1 Col Rainbow Boa
Snake Addict
"Always Learning"

>>Will it affect the snake in any way?

Pine shavings on their own should be fine. I have heard it stated that pine is toxic, but have heard of just as many people who use it without any problems (including myself, several years ago). Its the "scented" part that I would be wary of. I wouldn't use it for bedding knowing that a chemical had been added, simply because I wouldn't want my snakes laying around in chemicals 24/7. If the pine is cedar-scented, I'd definitely say "no." If its the green, chlorophyll-scented pine, I would still be on the safe side and use something else.

I think cedar and scented beddings are created for use in dog beds and cages where the animal doesn't actually come into contact with the shavings (rabbit cages).
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Ronda Van Winkle
Northwest Herpetoculture

I have read almost every care sheet involving corn snakes as well as all other colubrids and they all say NO CEDAR AND NO PINE. The oil in the shavings causes illness and possible death.
If anyone is using them without trouble.. maybe you are lucky. I have too much time, compassion and not the least money in my collection to chance it.
Stick with aspen or newspaper.
Thanks
Nancy
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Some of my best friends are snakes
Snakes Rule

SMR " Pine shavings are sometimes used, but I only recommend them for adult snakes. There is talk lately about the toxic properties of pine and fir. Especially when it gets in your pets drinking water."

VMS "Substrate: A variety of substrates can be used. Aspen bedding, newspaper, and Care Fresh are popular with many keepers. Paper towels may be used for lining baby cages. Keep the substrate clean and dry at all times. As with all reptiles, do NOT use cedar or pine shavings. These items are toxic to reptiles."

General Cornsnake Care " Pine shavings, corncob, and sand are no good because they can easily become ingested and lead to impaction. Dirt from outside is not suitable because it has bacteria and could have parasites in it. (Dirt can be used in emergency situations, although I can't imagine what that could be. Just put the dirt in a pan and bake it at 300 degrees for about 15 minutes. Let it cool first before putting it into the cage, obviously.) "

Rocky Mountain " The substrate of a cage is the material that is on the bottom. There are appropriate and not so appropriate choices of substrate in corn snake housing. Cedar shavings are unacceptable as they cause respiratory problems in snakes. I personally do not recommend pine for the same reason, "
Thanks
Nancy
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Some of my best friends are snakes
Snakes Rule

I have read almost every care sheet involving corn snakes as well as all other colubrids and they all say NO CEDAR AND NO PINE. The oil in the shavings causes illness and possible death.

Do you believe EVERYTHING you read? IMHO people like you are the main reason this forum seriously lacks input from the professional breeders like Ronda. Do you realize she is one of the best in the corn snake breeding industry?

If anyone is using them without trouble.. maybe you are lucky. I have too much time, compassion and not the least money in my collection to chance it.

Well I know one individual that uses pine with no problems.... her name is MOTHER NATURE. Maybe you should contact her and let her know that all the corn snakes living in the predominantly pine planted southeastern US up through the coastal plain are in peril. THEY LIVE IN AND AROUND PINE FORESTS and have done so for a very long time naturally. Have you ever been to the southeastern US? The pine smell (if you are not accustomed to it) is so strong in some areas that you can actually savor it while driving your vehicle down the interstate at 70 mph.

Stick with aspen or newspaper.

Aspen is very dusty and can irritate a snake's respiratory system and newspaper contains ugly and potentially dangerous dyes. (I read that in a care sheet, just to let you know.)

Have a good day.

kk

>>I have read almost every care sheet involving corn snakes as well as all other colubrids and they all say NO CEDAR AND NO PINE. The oil in the shavings causes illness and possible death.
>>
>>Do you believe EVERYTHING you read? IMHO people like you are the main reason this forum seriously lacks input from the professional breeders like Ronda. Do you realize she is one of the best in the corn snake breeding industry?
>>

When these statements come from people like Don Soderberg and John Cherry, you bet your ass we beleive it.
No disrespect to Rhonda but did you notice that she DOES NOT use pine any longer.

>>If anyone is using them without trouble.. maybe you are lucky. I have too much time, compassion and not the least money in my collection to chance it.
>>
>>Well I know one individual that uses pine with no problems.... her name is MOTHER NATURE. Maybe you should contact her and let her know that all the corn snakes living in the predominantly pine planted southeastern US up through the coastal plain are in peril. THEY LIVE IN AND AROUND PINE FORESTS and have done so for a very long time naturally. Have you ever been to the southeastern US? The pine smell (if you are not accustomed to it) is so strong in some areas that you can actually savor it while driving your vehicle down the interstate at 70 mph.

One problem with that comparison is that although snakes do live around pine they are not trapped in a miniature environment with said pine. It can be a problem so why risk it?

>>
>>Stick with aspen or newspaper.
>>
>>Aspen is very dusty and can irritate a snake's respiratory system and newspaper contains ugly and potentially dangerous dyes. (I read that in a care sheet, just to let you know.)

The aspen I use is NOT dusty.
I don't know where you get your aspen.

we can do this point counter point all day long

but your statement at the beginning... "IMHO people like you are the main reason this forum seriously lacks input from the professional breeders like Ronda">>was rude and in my opinion off base.
I don't think people trying to help is the reason the big breeders don't frequent the forum, I think it is the simple fact that they are just too damn busy.
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Remember, My posts are MY opinion only!
Jimmy (draybar)

Thank you for understanding the way I ment my input...I ment no disrespect for anyone....I do not know Rhonda. I posted the examples to show that I did read this info on line in doing research. If anyone took it wrong I apologize, but in the same respect I do not wnat to see people accidently cause undo problems for their animals.
Nancy
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Some of my best friends are snakes
Snakes Rule

When is the last time you went field herping? i went this weekend anf funny thing is i didnt see any pine shavings on the ground. i have the corn snake manual from the guru of corns, kathy love. and it says it in there as well as everywhere else. sure it may not kill your snake over night but anything that shortens the lifespan by as much as aaday is a failure on your part as a herp keeper.

ken
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0.1 Albino Cal. King (Fokker)
1.0 Reverse Okeetee Corn (trouble)
0.1 Creamsicle Corn (Spot)
1.1 Bearded Dragons (Bob & Margret)
1.1 Dogs(George and Ladybird) they are rescues.
1.0 Betta
0.1 Wife
0.1 Kid