Reptile Bedding Question

[CrabbyLover77]

Hi Reptile Friends!

I have a Russian Tortoise. Ever since I got her 12 years ago, I've been using cypress mulch as her bedding. Originally, I used Zoo Med Forest Floor Bedding. However, that became too expensive for such a small amount. So I've been buying the 2 cu ft bags of cypress mulch from Reptile Basics for a while now. The price has went up significantly in the last couple of years, $54.99 for 1 bag (not including shipping), and I use 2 of those bags to cover my tortoise's entire enclosure (6ft x 2ft)!

If I can find 100% cypress mulch at a hardware/garden store, would it be okay to use that instead (no cypress mulch "blends")?
I also found another website that sells reptile cypress mulch and is cheaper than Reptile Basics (even when I add on the $13.95 shipping fee for each bag). Has anyone ordered from here?
https://www.lllreptile.com/products/205 ... SlEALw_wcB

TIA!!

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[wodesorel]

I'm not sure if there is much difference between landscaping mulch and reptile bedding. In theory the reptile product should have safeguards in place to make sure its free from pesticides, chemicals, contaminates, etc - but there's a good chance it's all coming from the same place. Mulch can come from scraps and yardwaste pickups, and it may not be transported or stored safely either. (Although I've had reptile namebrand coconut fiber blocks with screws and plastic in it before, so I'm really not sure how much those companies care either!)

I have ordered directlt from LLL reptile many times in the past, and they're a distributor for small petshops as well. I've not used that product.

I can check with my friend who has and breeds them if you'd like, but I think she may use bulk aspen chip? I know one enclosure was cyprus or reptibark because it was more humid, but the other was light colored wood chip. Her pens have gone kind of bioactive so they've been spot cleaned only for years.

[CrabbyLover77]

Thanks so much for responding Wodes! If you've ordered from lllreptile.com, it makes me feel better about ordering from them too. I'll save about $15 compared to ordering from Reptile Basics. I'll hold off though, if you wouldn't mind asking your friend how she keeps her enclosures? I'd love to know. My tortoise's bedding ends up getting so dusty after 6 months, I like to change it out and start fresh. I always spot clean every day though, and mist in some spots to mimic rain fall (She likes getting misted once/day too). Thanks again.

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[wodesorel]

No problem! I have a text scheduled for morning for her so I don't forget. Yeah, I know how hard it is to keep humid enclosures going without mold or it going funky. I use reptibark for my ball pythons as its the best option with my allergies, and when we had a wood turtle temporarily I used sphagnum and cyprus and it still molded in places. Everything is getting so expensive these days I don't even want to price supplies anymore.

[CrabbyLover77]

No problem! I have a text scheduled for morning for her so I don't forget. Yeah, I know how hard it is to keep humid enclosures going without mold or it going funky. I use reptibark for my ball pythons as its the best option with my allergies, and when we had a wood turtle temporarily I used sphagnum and cyprus and it still molded in places. Everything is getting so expensive these days I don't even want to price supplies anymore.

That's perfect, thanks! No rush tho, I can wait to hear from ya.
My tortoise doesn't like to soak herself, so that's why I like to mist her bedding and her. I like to give her a soak in the tub every couple of weeks too. I always have a soaking dish available in her enclosure, but she rarely uses it.
I've never tried reptibark before, but have heard of it. That's so cool you have ball pythons! Who doesn't love a cute spaghetti noodle? LOL.
I'm with you on pricing supplies. The costs are just getting outta control.

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[wodesorel]

100% cyprus bedding from home depot, so you were spot on!!

The only thing I really know about Russians is that some people cold storage them over winter which is just wild to me, and a few get found wandering in my area every summer.

And yep, I have two older ball python brothers. Friend of a friend was enlisting and needed someone to take them. They were already getting up there in age so it was hard to find someone who wanted old wild-type boys. They're around 18 now. Perry is super chill but Alex is afraid of his own shadow.

[CrabbyLover77]

100% cyprus bedding from home depot, so you were spot on!!

The only thing I really know about Russians is that some people cold storage them over winter which is just wild to me, and a few get found wandering in my area every summer.

And yep, I have two older ball python brothers. Friend of a friend was enlisting and needed someone to take them. They were already getting up there in age so it was hard to find someone who wanted old wild-type boys. They're around 18 now. Perry is super chill but Alex is afraid of his own shadow.

Yay, that's awesome! Thanks for asking your friend, and please thank your friend for me too. I'm going to check out my local HD online to see what I can find. It's got to be cheaper than reptile places.
I've heard of people putting their tortoises/turtles in fridges over the winter. There's no way I could do that. I'd be checking on my girl every 2 mins lol! I saw a YT video of a family that puts their 2 box turtles in a deep hole in the ground overwinter (covers them in too). Then in the spring they dig them out. So crazy!
That is so nice you rescued your snake buddies. It's funny how they all have their own little personalities. How long do they normally live? I'm sure they are living their best senior life with you!

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[CrabbyLover77]

A quick update:

I couldn't find 100% cypress mulch at any Lowes, Home Depot, or Ace Hardware in my area. I finally found a local True Value hardware store that was willing to order (2) 2 cu ft bags for me. The grand total was $18! If I had ordered from a reptile store, I would have paid $90+!

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