Pine Straw?

[Chipdog]

I know that most people say Shaved Pine is a big No No as a bedding for torts. I was wondering about Pine Straw.
http://www.pinestrawdirect.com/
I live in South Carolina and it is a very popular mulch for homes. I am about to move to a new house that has pine straw in some of the area where I am planning on keeping the Torts. When I moved into the place I am at now I removed all of the straw and planted sod but that was a small courtyard and I am moving into a place with a yard.

So is it safe?

Chip

 

[spring pace]

pine has toxic properties in all forms, might not be as much when all dried out but i still wouldnt chance it. the effects could be long term and no body wants that.

 

[Crazy1]

Chip I know there is some writings of Gopher torts living in Longleaf pine areas but these are large open areas to wild torts. The straw you are looking at is from the loblolly pine. Here is a site that states the Gopherus polyphemus often live in Longleaf and loblolly pine ecosystems.
http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/animals/reptile/gopo/all.html

However I would be very careful as you don’t have the Gopherus polyphemus tort. This is just my opinion. I would not cover a large area that my torts are living in taking the chance that it may be detrimental to my torts. You might want to contact a Zoo and get their take on it for your Aldabras.