Fir Bark?

abcat1993 · 05-15-2007, 08:16 PM

I know you aren't supposed to use pine or cedar, and I accidentally bought something that says it is fir tree bark. Should I get rid of it or not? I already put the old bedding in the garbage, so there's no going back to it now.

Cazador · 05-15-2007, 10:36 PM

Hey Matt,

Maybe somebody has a better answer than I do because I really don't know the answer. However, pine and cedar are hazardous to snakes because the aromatic compounds they secrete are harmful to the lungs. Unless you get better advise, I'd suggest reading the package thoroughly. Then sniff it. If it has a strong smell, don't even consider using it.

Rick

GarterGuy · 05-15-2007, 11:02 PM

I've used fir bark before, it's doesn't have as much of the caustic oils that say your cedar or such has, and it seems to be safe. Also I've found that it tends to get moldy when it gets wet. I had used it with a pink toe tarantula and it did fine and didn't have any bad affects from it, but I did find that the bark got moldy underneth the T's water dish.
Roy

abcat1993 · 05-16-2007, 06:22 AM

Yeah, it definitely has a strong smell, and it doesn't say what it is besides "fir bark". However I did read that it was the wood that's bad for them, and no site said anything about the bark.

CrazyHedgehog · 05-16-2007, 07:16 AM

If you look up trees, there are millions, but lots in the same families...
Isn't fur in with spruce and pine?

mikm · 05-16-2007, 07:20 AM

That's my understanding, same family of trees ...

abcat1993 · 05-16-2007, 03:05 PM

Yes, there's a chance that it is a cedar or pine, but as you said it could be spruce too or many others. It probably would be pine though (it doesn't look that much like the bark though) since that is the most abundant as far as I know.

Cazador · 05-16-2007, 07:49 PM

To be honest, it might stink to have to go buy new substrate, but spending the extra few dollars to be safe will be much better than having an unhealthy snake. It's always better to be safe than sorry.

Rick

abcat1993 · 05-16-2007, 07:57 PM

I agree, I didn't get new substrate today, but I will tomorrow. I don't care anyway because it was free since it didn't scan right, and I wasn't about to complain (it was WAY overpriced).

mikm · 05-17-2007, 01:44 AM

You know what Matt ?? I just recalled that when they sell XMAS trees in this area there is a variety called 'Douglas Fir'. That's probably indicative of the origin of the 'fir' bark. Good choice on your part to replace it

05-15-2007, 08:16 PM	#1 (permalink)
abcat1993 Old and wise snake Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: North of Chicago IL, US Posts: 867 Country:	Fir Bark? I know you aren't supposed to use pine or cedar, and I accidentally bought something that says it is fir tree bark. Should I get rid of it or not? I already put the old bedding in the garbage, so there's no going back to it now. __________________ 0.1 Jack Russell Terrier 1.0 rough skinned newt 1.0.0 eastern garter http://www.winnetka36.org/ci/ci_name.htm

05-15-2007, 10:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
Cazador Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Alaska, USA Posts: 1,608 Country:	Re: Fir Bark? Hey Matt, Maybe somebody has a better answer than I do because I really don't know the answer. However, pine and cedar are hazardous to snakes because the aromatic compounds they secrete are harmful to the lungs. Unless you get better advise, I'd suggest reading the package thoroughly. Then sniff it. If it has a strong smell, don't even consider using it. Rick

05-15-2007, 11:02 PM	#3 (permalink)
GarterGuy Brother Snake Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lancaster,PA Posts: 1,355 Country:	Re: Fir Bark? I've used fir bark before, it's doesn't have as much of the caustic oils that say your cedar or such has, and it seems to be safe. Also I've found that it tends to get moldy when it gets wet. I had used it with a pink toe tarantula and it did fine and didn't have any bad affects from it, but I did find that the bark got moldy underneth the T's water dish. Roy __________________ *Roy* 1.1 T.s.pickeringi 0.1 T.s.concinnus 0.0.2 T.s.pallidulus

05-16-2007, 06:22 AM	#4 (permalink)
abcat1993 Old and wise snake Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: North of Chicago IL, US Posts: 867 Country:	Re: Fir Bark? Yeah, it definitely has a strong smell, and it doesn't say what it is besides "fir bark". However I did read that it was the wood that's bad for them, and no site said anything about the bark. __________________ 0.1 Jack Russell Terrier 1.0 rough skinned newt 1.0.0 eastern garter http://www.winnetka36.org/ci/ci_name.htm

05-16-2007, 07:16 AM	#5 (permalink)
CrazyHedgehog "Preparing For Fourth shed" Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 718 Country:	Re: Fir Bark? If you look up trees, there are millions, but lots in the same families... Isn't fur in with spruce and pine?

05-16-2007, 07:20 AM	#6 (permalink)
mikm Subadult snake Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 355 Country:	Re: Fir Bark? That's my understanding, same family of trees ... __________________ marian

05-16-2007, 03:05 PM	#7 (permalink)
abcat1993 Old and wise snake Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: North of Chicago IL, US Posts: 867 Country:	Re: Fir Bark? Yes, there's a chance that it is a cedar or pine, but as you said it could be spruce too or many others. It probably would be pine though (it doesn't look that much like the bark though) since that is the most abundant as far as I know. __________________ 0.1 Jack Russell Terrier 1.0 rough skinned newt 1.0.0 eastern garter http://www.winnetka36.org/ci/ci_name.htm

05-16-2007, 07:49 PM	#8 (permalink)
Cazador Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Alaska, USA Posts: 1,608 Country:	Re: Fir Bark? To be honest, it might stink to have to go buy new substrate, but spending the extra few dollars to be safe will be much better than having an unhealthy snake. It's always better to be safe than sorry. Rick

05-16-2007, 07:57 PM	#9 (permalink)
abcat1993 Old and wise snake Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: North of Chicago IL, US Posts: 867 Country:	Re: Fir Bark? I agree, I didn't get new substrate today, but I will tomorrow. I don't care anyway because it was free since it didn't scan right, and I wasn't about to complain (it was WAY overpriced). __________________ 0.1 Jack Russell Terrier 1.0 rough skinned newt 1.0.0 eastern garter http://www.winnetka36.org/ci/ci_name.htm

05-17-2007, 01:44 AM	#10 (permalink)
mikm Subadult snake Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 355 Country:	Re: Fir Bark? You know what Matt ?? I just recalled that when they sell XMAS trees in this area there is a variety called 'Douglas Fir'. That's probably indicative of the origin of the 'fir' bark. Good choice on your part to replace it __________________ marian

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