Aspen bedding

[CGSwans]

Hey folks. I'm moving my stimson's from his current 900mm cage to my blue-tongue's former 1200mm cage. In the process I also want to move him across to aspen substrate. Can I get it at Bunnings, or is it a herp shop only type of thing?

[hazzard]

You will only get it at herp supply stores or pet shops.

[CGSwans]

Thanks. That could get pricey. Is there any reason why I can't use cypress mulch from a garden supply place? Is there anything I need to do to it to make it suitable?

[hazzard]

If it's steam sterilised cypress mulch is great looks very decorative to, especially red cypress. I know Greg maxwell uses it in a lot of his chondro setups. There is a place in sydney i know of that does decorative cypress mulch. It's not as fantastic for absorbent qualities as aspen and often not the same consistency, but it depends what your after.

Cheers

[CGSwans]

It doesn't have to be ultra-absorbent - it's a 1200mm cage with a single snake so there's not going to be an enormous amount of mess to clean up.

What's involved in 'steam sterilising' it? Is it something I can do at home?

[hazzard]

Not easily done at home, generally it's something a nursery would do, with a boiler and chamber. Your other alternative would be to bake it dry (not cook it) to get rid of any micro-organisms or pathogens.

[CGSwans]

"Bake it dry" - does that just mean sticking it in the kitchen oven? If so, for how long?