Reptile & Amphibian Forums

np

I do not know for certain with Chelonians, but it is regarded as hazardous to snakes and lizards in enclosed areas. Also, mulch is a broad term, do they mean a bunch of rotted duff from the forest floor or shredded redwood bark? I would be wary of it...also Cedar. I actually watched Cedar kill some hatchling kingsnakes 30 years ago when we did not know any better. You might get away with it in an open enclosure, but it might be an irritant. The only Chelonian I know of that naturally occurs where there are redwood trees are W. Pond turtles, and they are riparian living, not in the "mulch".

the redwood mulch is much like cypress mulch in that it is actual shredded pieces of redwood. there's no bark that i can see. there's also no strong smell like cedar. i would much prefer to use cypress but it's impossible to find in the Pasadena area of Southern California.

as it says right on the packaging.

Try Eucalyptus Mulch. I have used it for some time on several different species of Tortoise with no adverse reactions.
There are at least a few other visitors here that I know of who use it also.
You could also use hardwood mulch which is not quite so aromatic.

thanks, i haven't seen Eucalyptus Mulch in the Home depot stores i've been to in southern california area. where do you buy your Eucalyptus Mulch? thanks.

I get mine from Home Depot here on the East Coast. Call around to your local stores and see who has what. In my case one Home Depot does not carry it while the other does. Same thing with Lowes. One carries Cypress and the other doesn't.
If they don't have it scan through your phone book and call some of the local greenhouses.
Hardwood mulch on the other hand seems to be a staple at just about every store. Just make sure it is a natural mulch without added pigments or chemical pest repellents.

>>np