Don't Use Cedar
DO NOT USE CEDAR
Don’t ever use cedar or for that part most coniferous, fruit and nut trees do not make appropriate substrates.
We are having an ongoing discussion and research on substrates on another forum I attend…here is the over-view;
Pine and Cedar;
“Pine Shavings - Recently it has come to light that pine shavings can be toxic. They give off fumes that can be harmful. Not as bad as cedar but I won't use it. DO NOT EVER USE CEDAR BEDDING!!! Cedar bedding is very toxic to reptiles and will kill them! Actually it is toxic to the small mammals it is generally used for too.”
Another opinion on it…..
“AVOID cedar, redwood, or pine at all costs because they are toxic to reptiles. The fumes from cedar and redwood cause respiratory infections that will kill them. Pine is toxic when ingested..”
More…
“One opinion that is shared by most pet owners is that pine and cedar should not be used as substrate for your snake's enclosure, or as substrate for any feeder animals you may also keep. It has been suspected for a while now that there are toxic oils in these woods that may cause organ damage to animals kept on them. This is still under heavy debate, but since there are so many other options out there, why take a chance? “
even more………
Pine and Cedar shavings
Pros: *Smells good Cons: *The tar and scents are toxic to reptiles *May cause respiratory infections and even death”
Other Substrates;
“Soil/Sand: For the most natural-looking enclosure, you may want to consider using potting soil or sand as your substrate. They allow snakes to burrow freely, and are fairly easy and inexpensive to replace. Good pet stores usually carry a product called cal-sand, or something of that nature. Supposedly this is healthy for your animal, even when accidentally ingested, and may be worth a look. If you decide on soil for your substrate, please use only plain, store-bought potting soil, and keep it dry to prevent mold and fungus growth. Dirt obtained from your backyard may contain bugs, pesticides, fungi, or any number of things you don't want your snake exposed to. This is also a good choice if you prefer to use live plants in your enclosure. Don't be surprised if your snake digs them up, though.”
…and
“Shredded paper/bark: A very common substrate on the market, it also provides many options for appearance in your snake tank. In this classification, we include shredded orchid, fir, and aspen barks, ground corn cobs, rodent pellets, and manufactured products like Care-Fresh bedding. All of these are very absorbent and easy to care for you simply scoop out the soiled substrate and replace it. Some are specially made to maintain humidity in your enclosure, whereas some may be dangerously drying to the skin of your animal. With these types of substrate, you again have the problems of accidental ingestion and dust, as addressed above. This type of substrate also makes it much easier for various external parasites to live, but this can be minimized with proper attention and cleaning.”
Also…….
“ReptiBark (and Equivalents)
Pros: *Good substrate *Promotes borrowing *Helps with shedding *Stays relatively dry
Cons: *Very dark and hard to spot clean *Insects have been found in packages bought new from store *Expensive *Will mold when wet
On a side note, if you use the repti-bark materials, ensure it soen't completely dry out as dust and mites can occur.
uke01: They liked burrowing in the moss but now they slither inbetween the paper so doesn't make much difference to them. Also makes the game 'hunt the snake' much easier to win 
