Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Are cedar chips ok to use for bedding in a turtle pen?

Alan

>>Are cedar chips ok to use for bedding in a turtle pen?
>>
>>Alan

Alan, cedar chips are not good for use in a turtle pen unless it is just a small amount in a large out door pen. Cedar is often used for chests (have you heard of hope chests made of cedar?) because the aromatics in the wood is toxic to insects-and to herps that come into close and constant contact with these fumes, as well. Cypress bark is ok, although there used to be concerns about its sustainabilty-check it out first. Coconut coir is good, but messy unless it remains moist and you grow a ground cover on it.
Good luck!
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Tess Cook
www.boxturtlesite.info

Yeah, I don't even use cedar in the beds around my pens. I use shredded hardwood mulch. It's a soft medium. Or like this summer, I just mulched with finished compost.

Thank you for the responce, makes sense to me, their in the trash.

Alan,........... still waiting on my female to lay eggs

I like the hardwood mulch too Curtis, it breaks down quickly into fluffy loam compost, and actually attracts insects and worms.
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Jeff Benfer
gartersnakemorph.com

It looks natural, too. Which is what I'm all about.