BLUE TONGUE SKINKS

Hi Everyone,Can I use Paper Bark Bark as flooring for my BTS?????

I would think it wouldn't be too absorbant, so I wouldn't use it myself.

Personally I've never heard of paper bark. Is that something like carefresh? I think the most popular are aspen or carefresh.

Do you have any pics of your bluey?

paper bark is a type of tree bark

and yes, Pics???

...er... "Paper Bark?"

KW

I think a big problem would be hygiene - you don't know what the bark has on it.

Also, you don't know what it has IN it - bugs, spiders, etc could all be living in the layers. And if they're in egg or larval form, you may not even be able to see them with the naked eye.

A recycled paper cat litter is a hygienic, environmentally friendly and cheap alternative. Try Dr Harry's Light and Easy or the Coles recycled paper brand. They're flaked, and are great for your skink to burrow in. If you can't find those, try Breeder's Choice. It's also recycled paper, just pelleted, instead of flaked.

KyleWeiss wrote:...er... "Paper Bark?"

KW

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melaleuca

Thanks for the advice I won't use it! Paper Bark,No pics yet-but will soon! Jo

Well golly, look at that! I learned something.

KW

KW,

Just another magnificent Aussie native plant.

Jojo,

I've used paperbark for babies to hide under... it's not much chop as a substrate though.

Geoff Gates wrote:KW,

Just another magnificent Aussie native plant.

Indeed! I shouldn't have been shocked, but your country produces quite a few curiosities I'm relatively into and fascinated by.

KW

KyleWeiss wrote:

Geoff Gates wrote:KW,

Just another magnificent Aussie native plant.

Indeed! I shouldn't have been shocked, but your country produces quite a few curiosities I'm relatively into and fascinated by.

KW

The bark is similar to the paper bark birch here in the states it too sheds a thin papery bark thaat you can peel off

Lucifer_Spades wrote:

KyleWeiss wrote:

Geoff Gates wrote:KW,

Just another magnificent Aussie native plant.

Indeed! I shouldn't have been shocked, but your country produces quite a few curiosities I'm relatively into and fascinated by.

KW

The bark is similar to the paper bark birch here in the states it too sheds a thin papery bark thaat you can peel off

As a question, does peeling more than a bit kill the tree like it does a birch? Also, is it as easily flamable? And what do the trees look like (similar to a birch)? I'm just curious ^.^

No it doesn't kill the tree, they actually shed it in big strips. A paper bark is a type of gum, or eucalyptus, tree. But there are hundreds of types of gum trees. It's no more flammable than any other dried out leaves or branches. Gum trees themselves do burn up pretty good in bushfires, but that's because of the oils in the leaves.

I've used paperbark as tank accessories, in that I chuck bits in there for them to walk and crawl over and under, but not as a substrate as such.

Don't gum trees have varying levels of toxicity, though? ...and would it effect blueys in any way since they are native to the area as well? Would it effect blueys at all?



KW

KyleWeiss wrote:Don't gum trees have varying levels of toxicity, though? ...and would it effect blueys in any way since they are native to the area as well? Would it effect blueys at all?



KW

KW,

There are Eucalyptus (gum) trees all over Australia. They drop their leaves all year round and create the leaf layer in many woodlands that blueys hide/sleep in. They don't bother blueys at all, infact I sometimes use the dried leaves as substrate indoors.

BTW. Melaleucas (paperbarks) are not gum trees. Both are from the Myrtaceae family but they have completely different flower formations.

Melaleucas are much closer related to Callistemons both have a very similar bottlebrush flower arrangement but the stamens are slightly different. There is currently a debate in botanical circles whether they are actually the same.

Have a look here http://asgap.org.au/mel-cal.html

Cheers,

wheni was a youngster I used to eat paper bark. don't ask me why - i just did.

I use the breeders choice recycled kitty litter stuff. http://www.fibrecycle.com.au you can get it in the states and worldwide. Check that website to find out where it is in your country.

BTW - I know you're in QLD jojo! Just letting the yanks know too!

Ohhhhh take that smartypants Lisa! Not gum trees! Not gum trees!

I kind of figured gums wouldn't bother blueys at all but hey, might as well ask the natives.

KW