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Mulch substrate?

antsterr

antsterr

Always mostly awesome
I see many people recommend cypress mulch for substrate. I've used it because It works great for my Brazilian rainbow boas to keep their humidity up. My question is, can you use other kinds of mulch? I can only get cypress mulch in name brand bags at the pet show. I'd like to get a giant bag from a garden show for cheep but can't find cypress anywhere. I know cedar is no good and pine is to be avoided. My brother was working with a wood turner and has bags and bags of birch shavings, would that be as good as aspen?
I'd like to get mulch though because it's something I can use with all of my snakes. any suggestions?
 
I would think birch would be very similar to aspen. It's a non-resinous tree.

Nanci
 
Well, if no one knows I might just have to select a guinea pig. I'll make sure what ever mulch I get is 100% organic and does not contain any cedar or softwood. I'll also read up on any tree that might be in it to see if there are any potential health risks associated with it. Snakes in the wild live in all sorts of plants so I don't think there should be much danger of trying out a new plant matter as substrate.
 
I've actually had issues getting mulch specifically called "Cypress" this year from my local Lowes & Home Depot. Last year they had it, but no sign of it this year. So instead I got "Hardwood" mulch. My honey says that Cypress & Pine are not hardwoods, so that type of wood would not be in this mulch. I've used it so far without a problem with my BPs. Cost me $5 for a big huge bag. When I get home tonight I'll post the specific label information so it'll be easier for you to find. :)
 
antsterr said:
My brother was working with a wood turner and has bags and bags of birch shavings, would that be as good as aspen?
Click to expand...

I don't know anything about birch, but I'd be concerned that these bags might contain a large amount of dust, which could cause respiratory problems.
 
I'd shake the dust out of it before I used it as substrate. But it's not from a saw, it's from a lathe so it won't have very much dust.
I'll be looking for hardwood mulch then. thanks folks!
 
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