Aspen wood shavings

[Mzteek]

Does anybody know if Aspen wood shavings are suitable substrate for pythons? I've read where cedar shavings shouldn't be used due to the oils in the cedar. Thanks.

[Kyle Barker]

Aspen works good. I have heard of people have problems with it sticking to the wet rodents (if the rodent is thawed in water). But if its dry, or on a plate or something im sure it would be fine.

[Edwin]

I agree with Kyle. Aspen works well in general, what species of python are you thinking of? That would help us give you a better informed answer to your question.

Cedar is always a no-no for herps, as it oils contain phenols which are harmful to them.

Hope this helps.

[Boid_22]

Apsen is a good, Cost effective way as a substrate. Caution should be used @ feeding time as it sometimes comes wih "Toothpick" like shards that can harm your snake if ingested.
I've had pythons ingest the regular bit of i with no problems at all, No impaction, Nor RI's.

Ed

[Dave G]

I use Aspen with my Colubrids regularly with no ill effects... and I can say the same for Bc.i.. however there are many boids out there who have respiratory systems which are far more sensitive than B.c.i.. (blood pythons for example)

Also I have noticed Aspen can be quite dusty. You can spray it down slightly, but too much and it begins to mold. If you are really unsure and don't get feed back from someone who has kept the same species you have on it, then its probably best to simply avoid it.

Whats the species?

Dave G

[Mzteek]

Thanks Guys!

I was thinking of using it in with the Spotted Pythons and the Surinam Boa that I have coming at the end of the month. I use orchid chips and moss with the Brazilian Rainbow Boa and paper towels with the Burm.
Would Pine shaving be better ? I was looking at the packaging of one brand and it was produced in a plant the also produced cedar shaving and noticed a few flakes of it mixed into the package. This concerned me, cross contamination, so I oppted for the aspen. I could search a bit more to find a more "pure" source if the pine would be better for them.
If you have any other suggestions that you think would provide them with a better habitat I would appreciate the info.

Mzteek

[Dom]

How about Cypress mulch?? I use it for all my snakes and never had a prolem... Holds humidity really well looks awesome and is one of the best substrate.. off gasing wise.. to use..

Dom

[Mzteek]

Thanks Dom, I can't say that I have come across that one. Can you give me a name of a store that may carry it ?

Thanks,
Mzteek

[Boid_22]

Well i know people whohave kept spottie just fine on aspen, Personally i would use a soil-firbark mix for esthetic purposes.

Cheers......Ed

[marisa]

I personally hate aspen. I have had one snake impacted from it (not even fed on it) and frankly I have no idea why people think its easy to clean. Its IMPOSSIBLE IMHO to get the cage and the aspen up to my clean standard without changing the entire substrate each time and washing the cage. I find the crap goes right through the aspen, and I can never be sure its all clean when I spot clean. But changing it out fully every week is too expensive. I use paper towel. 100% clean everytime, even spot cleaning, and damn cheap.

Marisa

[KaHane]

I use apsen on all our snakes that do no require high humidity. I find that if you use a large amount and let it pack down, it is very absorbent and easy to spot clean. Even when our boas gave birth the birthing liquids did not reach the bottom of the enclosure. The only thing with aspen is that it will mold easily, that makes it even more important to spot clean immediately. For species that require high humidity we use cypress mulch, it holds humidity very well and won't mold easily. :)

[BWSmith]

The only problem i have had with Aspen is that it tends to mildew very easily.

[snakemann87]

i use apsen for my boa and ball python, i prefer carpet though

[moosehead]

Stay away from cedar or pine.Aspen is fine

[KaHane]

As for the aspen sticking to the feeder rodent, Our rodents are packaged in vaccumed sealed bags. We just dethawe the rodents by putting the bags in very hot water. since the feeder never gets wet, the aspen won't stick on them. If your feeder's are wet, I would suggest feeding the snakes in a different container/ enclosure without any substrate.

[Lisa]

We've had good results with cypress, find it too difficult to keep the humidity at a decent level with aspen.

[BurmBaroness]

I would recommend NOT feeding a snake on ANY substrate. If you use substrate, feed in a separate container. I feed all my animals except for 2 in plastic totes, even the 8ft+ burm. The male BCI and one of the BP's wont eat in a feed tote, but it's not that big a deal because I use newspaper for substrate.