How hazardous are pine shavings for a corn snake?

The corn snake I care for has been acting strange for the past 1 1/2 weeks. He absolutely DID NOT want to be picked up. I never saw him move so fast to free himself from my hands... and he didn't even try to bite that poor little guy. I figured he was getting ready to shed and left him alone at first. I then became suspicious and concluded that the only change in handling had been the addition of pine shavings as the substrate.





I had no idea that pine shavings are toxic to corn snakes. A Petco employee had actually recommended the pine shavings. Also, a book I bought recommended Aspen but made no mention of pine shavings being toxic.





I immediately removed the pine shavings and went back to the artificial turf I had originally used.





I feel so bad for the snake... and my question is this:





Does anyone know if the 3 month old snake will suffer long-term damage from his 1 1/2 week long exposure to pine shavings?





Thanks in advance.

How hazardous are pine shavings for a corn snake?
The resins in pine are extremely toxic to the nervous system of reptiles, especially snakes, and, contrary to popular beliefs, it doesn't take very much exposure time wise to cause permanent damage to the snake's neurological processes. The snake will become almost spastic in it's actions %26amp; could even expire from the damage. Unfortunately, there's nothing that can reverse this process. If the damage is too severe, your snake will not survive. I hope the damage isn't too severe. Good luck.
Reply:That little of exposure and that you caught it so quick was great. but in that little of time not much could of happend. the smaell may have harmed him a little but nothing time wont fix. a vet check is not recomended if you keep a eye out and hes acting normal. if he keeps up this strange behavior then worrie. but give it time. also if you do get aspen get the chunks. it more safe then shavings because the thin shavings can lodge in the throat and kill it. so just montior and wait. im so glad you caught it the guy at petco obviously didnt know much about snakes.
Reply:Most baked pine shavings are probably not going to hurt your snake, although if they smell like pine, then they contain the oils that are toxic. The fact that your baby is trying to escape is not really anything unusual. They do that. It's possible that your baby has finally gotten over the shock of a new environment and is perking up. Time will help calm him. Aspen shavings are perfectly acceptable, it allows them places to burrow and are safe except to feed on. Pine generally causes neurological problems. I don't think your snake is suffering from anything other than a baby being scared of a big human. Regular, short handling sessions where you hold him until he calms and then place him back in the enclosure will go far to help keep him from being so quick to escape. Your snake is fine!
Reply:You should probably take him to a reptilian vet, just to be safe. I don't think that the pine shavings will make long-term damage. He'll probably just feel sluggish for a while.
Reply:I doubt that little exposure will cause issues, i agree with taking him to a vet, as well as leaving the artificial turf in the cage for a while, to check his urine and feces for any changes. then go to aspen or anything other than pine or cedar. there are plenty of safe reptile substrates available. My corn is on aspen, which he seems to like more than the repti bark we had him on for higher humidity when he was having shed problems (from his previous owners who were horrid) the corn burrows in the aspen and rearranges it constantly, which is easier because its lighter than the bark. Our little boa is on coconut husk, which the corn had the opportunity to investigate and seemed very aggitated with.
Reply:Pine shavings are totally not reccommended for any snakes. Pine shavings are toxic to snakes. It is reccommended that you put snakes on aspen shavings or supersoil that you can get at Lowe's. Some people HATE wood shavings, some have had no problems with it. I would highly reccommend that you take them off immediately, and if you believe that your snake has some issues that need to be addressed, go to a reptile certified veteranarian. Some vets say they see exoticsm but do not have formal training. They know the basics, but you want someone who has an extended knowledge of their habits, bodies, etc.





Hope everything goes well with yoru snake.





P.S. Petco employees, unless formally trained, have no idea what they are talking about. They reccommend heat rocks, which can cause thermal burns on snakes, etc. I would join a reptile community, like www.reptieforums.com, or something similar. They are wonderful individuals who will give you the advise you need and deserve. They also have extended experience with reptiles and have been in the herp (reptile) community.