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cocoa mulch?
Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 8:26 pm
by lourdesv89
Hellow fellow skink lovers!
So I'm still trying to figure out what type of bedding to use. My friend and I went to an orchard store and checked out all sorts of substrate, trying to steer away from anything with pestacides or fertilizer. We really liked the cocoa mulch but my friend seems to have read something about dogs eating it since it smells sweet and it being harmful. Someone (sarikazam) responded to an earlier post saying they used it, I was hoping you could expand on that. Does your skink attempt to eat it?
If anyone else has tried it, please give me your input, it would be very much appreciated!
Re: cocoa mulch?
Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 9:49 pm
by Lea
Cocoa mulch contains the toxin theobromine, the same ingredient as in chocolate. It's dangerous to dogs, cats and most other small animals, including lizards, so most likely would be fatal if ingested. Theobromine is a methyl alkaloid, which can increase the heart rate, decrease cardiac output by lowering the blood pressure and hyper stimulate the nervous system. Symptoms of toxicosis include, tremors, hyperactivity and increased anxiety. These would all be difficult to detect in your skink and the most common symptom of ingestion will be the most tragic one of all, death.
There is very little research, that I am aware of, into the proven effects of theobromine on skinks, but the evidence is definitely there to 'suggest' ingestion would have dire consequences, given the effect it has on other small animals.
I would avoid this mulch, even in your garden. It might be aesthetically pleasing and having that earthy chocolately aroma, but it's effect on wildlife and pets, could be devastating.
Re: cocoa mulch?
Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 9:51 pm
by Jeff
I have not used cocoa mulch for BTS, so can not comment on it from first hand experience, but my first three choices of substrate are cypress mulch, aspen shavings, and carpet. Not necessarily in that order. I use all three for different situations. These are what I would recommend to anyone looking for a good substrate.
Re: cocoa mulch?
Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 8:37 am
by donkeybuff
Sarikazam might have meant coco mulch/fiber, which is made from coconut husk. It is used by some people on this forum, but I like cypress mulch better.
Re: cocoa mulch?
Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 9:26 am
by AnnaMonroe
I'm highly considering using cypress mulch, the only thing is that I've read on numerous occasions that cypress makes humidity extremely high, like 60% or more! Is that Really true?!
Re: cocoa mulch?
Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 9:47 am
by Fatal_S
Cyrpess mulch CAN make high humidity. If it's moistened. It simply holds moisture really well. If you don't spray it down, it's pretty much as dry as any other substrate. It's just chunks of wood.
I use coconut mulch because it's more eco-friendly. I've never heard of using cocoa products, seems very weird to me.
Re: cocoa mulch?
Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 9:18 pm
by AnnaMonroe
Thank you!! That's great to know(:
Re: cocoa mulch?
Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2012 4:11 pm
by lourdesv89
okie dokie, no cocoa mulch it is. It's just very pretty.
I will probably stick with coconut or cypress, I'm so excited to get my tank set up completely! I'll post pictures once it's ready
Re: cocoa mulch?
Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2012 6:59 pm
by BruinsEv
lourdesv89 wrote:okie dokie, no cocoa mulch it is. It's just very pretty.
I will probably stick with coconut or cypress, I'm so excited to get my tank set up completely! I'll post pictures once it's ready
Can't wait! i'm putting the finishing touches on mine today/tomorrow as I wait for my BTS to arrive on Wednesday! Love to see how others have theirs set up!
Re: cocoa mulch?
Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2012 7:02 pm
by Bird_Brain
When I was in High School and working at the local hardware store, we had a vendor stop in trying to sell us the Cocoa Mulch. I must say I did like the look and smell of it. I could sit there and smell it all day! However, like others have mentioned, I too have heard the risks of the mulch when ingested by animals.
Glad you decided to go a different route.
Re: cocoa mulch?
Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2012 9:30 pm
by lourdesv89
BruinsEv wrote:lourdesv89 wrote:okie dokie, no cocoa mulch it is. It's just very pretty.
I will probably stick with coconut or cypress, I'm so excited to get my tank set up completely! I'll post pictures once it's ready
Can't wait! i'm putting the finishing touches on mine today/tomorrow as I wait for my BTS to arrive on Wednesday! Love to see how others have theirs set up!
Sweeet! Post pics! of your new baby too! They're so freaking adorable! <3
Re: cocoa mulch?
Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2012 4:59 pm
by Sarikazam
Oh! Sorry for the confusion! I actually said "coco-mulch", but just to clarify I meant 'coconut' mulch. I actually didn't realise there was such a thing as cocoa mulch otherwise I might have avoided using that abbreviation. I will keep that in mind for the future.
Re: cocoa mulch?
Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2012 10:50 am
by misticdragon68
So the Cocoa mulch is a no-go. But what about other gardening store brands and types? The tanks are so large we were hoping to avoid the overpriced pet-store verities (unless there was no other option, in which we are happy to ensure the happiness of our skinks by getting the fancy stuff <3 )
Are there any good brands of mulch with no fertilizer/chemicals and less dust? Anyone know of a specific brand or type I could look up?
EDIT!
What about this? :
http://www.groworganic.com/miracle-mulc ... anded.html