Forest Floor a Good Substrate?

[Skokie]

I have a spotted salamander and the substrate in the cage is Zoo Med Forest Floor and Organic soil mixture based on previous recommendations. I took my salamander to the vet today because he has an open sore and the vet said that the Forest Floor wasn't very good because it is made from Cypress wood and something about the pH. I do mist every day and keep the humidity around 80%.

When I got home, I did some research and read the "Substrates for Caudates II" article which mentions using Fir bark or Cypress bark. I also read in the article "Wood for Use in Vivaria" that European Cypress is bad, but Bald Cypress is ok. What type of Cypress does Forest Floor use? I can't seem to find what type they use, just that its organic Cypress.

At this point I am a little confused on what I should be using as a substrate. Should I stick with the Forest Floor, or should I try something else (cocunut husk, orchid bark, etc.)? Thanks in advance.

Stephanie

 

[SludgeMunkey]

In the US, ZooMed utilizes bald cypress as of the writing of the article. Forest Floor is OK stuff in my opinion, but the cost makes it less than desirable. I prefer a mix of coir and organic soil with a few handfuls of "blender chopped" dead leaves from deciduous trees.

 

[Skokie]

Thank you very much for your response.

 

[Jan]

My personal preference is to use coco-fiber blocks alone or mixed with organic soil. Bark products can be sharp and pieces can be ingested when the animal lunges for food....especially if the animal has aggressive feeding behaviors. This sets up a risk that I see no reason to take. Coco-fiber, if ingested, easily passes through the intestinal tract. Also, for burrowing ambystomatids, such as tigers and spotteds, a 'softer' substrate allows for easy burrowing.

Within your setup, do you have good ventilation e.g., like a mesh top? High humidity in a poorly ventilated environment can lead to disease and infection. 80% is quite high. The substrate should be kept moist, not wet.

 

[Skokie]

I have a coco-fiber block that I will use when I clean the cage next. Thanks for the input. I have a mesh top but I live in Florida and the humidity in general is pretty high during the summer. All I do is mist the substrate once a day to keep it moist.

 

[Coastal Groovin]

I use a coco fiber and real leaf compost mix.

 

[Jan]

I have a mesh top but I live in Florida and the humidity in general is pretty high during the summer. All I do is mist the substrate once a day to keep it moist.

Good with the mesh top - you are avoiding stagnant air. Are you able to keep the temperature in the low 70sF or lower?

 

[Skokie]

I am able to keep the temperature right around 75 degrees but now that the weather is getting cooler it is between 65 and 70.