Question

[bailey]

I've been reading and re-reading care sheets trying to get as prepared as possible until my Corn Snake Manual gets here. I was reading the SMR care sheet and it says that there has been talk of pine and fir being toxic especially if it gets in the drinking water. I was asking before if orchid bark was safe and in my research I've discovered that orchid bark is fir. I know of several people using this for ball pythons and some have said to go ahead and use it for corns. If anyone can shed some light on this it would be much appreciated. Thanks!
Denise

[Dragon_Slave]

Denise,
That's a GOOD question. Unfortunatly, I have no idea what the answer is. My advise is to go with something you KNOW is safe... such as aspen shavings or repti-bark. Just my two cents.

as I always state, any aromatic wood gets my thumbs down until more is learned about the effects.

[Invictus]

Even pine shavings are not guaranteed to be toxic. I know many people who have used pine for a long time with no ill effects whatsoever. Cedar is the one to be avoided at ALL costs. If the wood has a really strong wood-like smell, don't use it. Aspen is guaranteed to be safe, so why bother with what "might" be toxic.

[Dragon_Slave]

I agree with Invictus 100%...

[bailey]

I'm currently using aspen for my corns and now that I know what I know I"m going to stay way from the orchid bark all together. My dilemma was buying a huge bag of orchid bark that I was going to be able to use for my bp and not my corns. However I think I've decided to not use it on either. Thanks so much for the information everyone.
Denise

[dobbsy2k4]

why dont u go for kitchen paper its quite cheap and very easy to clean

[Dragon_Slave]

Maybe she wants to make her snakes enclosure more ''realistic'' looking?

[bailey]

I do after we make their permanent enclosure. Research being done as much for now as for the future. I want all 3 of them to be in custom enclosures that have a more naturalistic look.