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I got some shredded coco husks for my chondros cage because it helps hold humidity a lot better than aspen or the like. and I don't want the gnats that come with cypress mulch, considering the cage is in my bedroom. I opened the cage tonight (they were exo terra bricks of coco husk) and I got a whiff of a really strong odor. Does this stuff need to be aired out or anything? Will it harm my snake?
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-Chris

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Current snakes:
0.1 Licorice Stick Black Rat (Lola)
1.0 Black Rat (Frankie)
1.1 Texas Bairds (Jose and Rosa)
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1.0 Green Tree Python (Monty)

I've used Forest Bed coconut husk (same as Bed-a-Beast) and it worked very well. I'm assuming that the Exo Terra bricks are the same stuff. They also make it in chips or chunks.

The shredded coconut husk does have a smell when damp. This may lessen after a while. Not a problem.

Since I've been using shredded coconut husk for years I've learned a couple of things. Some people keep it too wet all the time and eventually might see some mold. Not surprising. The stuff does not have to be soaking wet all the time; if you can keep it damp and spongy it is great.

Of course, you'll need to put the bricks in water at first, but if you follow the directions you shouldn't end up with wet slop. If it does get too wet just grab a handful and squeeze out the excess water.

I like the shredded coconut husk. Creates lots of humidity, very easy to spot clean, not dusty like mulch, and it looks nice.

Bill

Hello guys

A ? do you have a picture of what the shredded cocco husk looks like in a encloseur.
Thanks
Bill
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Leos
1.0 Blizzard "Mr.Freeze" AKA " SID VICIOUS"
1.0 SHCT Baldy "Thor"
0.2 Tremper Albinos "Betty & Pinky"
0.1 SHCT Baldy "Lemon"
0.1 Hypo Tang "Sherbert"
0.1 Hypo Golden "Dott"
0.2 juveniles " Spot & White Stripe"
0.0.4 hatchlings wooo hoooo
Boas
0.1 Nicaraguan "Peaches"

Domestic Livestock

0.1 WIFE "PAM"
0.2 Daughters "Haleigh & Chloe"

Canines
1.0 Beagle "Chance"
0.1 Pit rodesian ridgeback mix "Missy"

I don't have detailed photos, but a good description is that after it has soaked up some water the coconut husk product looks and feels like brown coffee grounds. (Not as dark in color as coffee grounds.)

Bill

PS: This coconut husk product (Forest Bed, Bed-a-Beast, etc.) that is sold in compressed bricks for use as cage substrate is not to be confused with the "coco shells" that can be purchased at a garden center.

Coco shells are the shells from coco beans and are often used in rose gardens. They are not in any way, shape, or form related to the coconut husk product we're talking about here. Coco shells are downright nasty -- they get extremely moldy almost overnight and kinda smell like bad chocolate.

Thank for the info Bill
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Leos
1.0 Blizzard "Mr.Freeze" AKA " SID VICIOUS"
1.0 SHCT Baldy "Thor"
0.2 Tremper Albinos "Betty & Pinky"
0.1 SHCT Baldy "Lemon"
0.1 Hypo Tang "Sherbert"
0.1 Hypo Golden "Dott"
0.2 juveniles " Spot & White Stripe"
0.0.4 hatchlings wooo hoooo
Boas
0.1 Nicaraguan "Peaches"

Domestic Livestock

0.1 WIFE "PAM"
0.2 Daughters "Haleigh & Chloe"

Canines
1.0 Beagle "Chance"
0.1 Pit rodesian ridgeback mix "Missy"