Substrate/feeding question

[jay's reptiles]

I have had my retic on eco earth since i have got her. But i noiced she got a lot of substrate in her mouth this last feed. Like A LOT! I'm not real worried because they should be able to handle this in the wild. But i just need to know if eco earth is okay, Honestly its a pretty natural substrate and i like it, but is there any other substrate as well. That would work better. But if eco earth is okay i would like to stick to that. She's still able to flick her tongue and close her mouth. I guess i just need some answers and a little reassurance of being a worried dad :)

[Andy_G]

Should be fine. Was the prey item wet?

[jay's reptiles]

Should be fine. Was the prey item wet?

Not really. I dry it off than i feed it to her.

[MartinD]

I watch a guy on YouTube who has kept venomous snakes for about 30 yrs and he has always said "No one follows them around in the wild" and that it is NOT the substrate but your husbandry, if your temps are ok and your humidity is correct and it is hydrated, then it should pass anything it eats, including substrate.

[jay's reptiles]

I watch a guy on YouTube who has kept venomous snakes for about 30 yrs and he has always said "No one follows them around in the wild" and that it is NOT the substrate but your husbandry, if your temps are ok and your humidity is correct and it is hydrated, then it should pass anything it eats, including substrate.


Awesome. My hot side is 90 -93. Cool side is 75-77 Humidity is 85-90.
CLean water bowl always. Always clean enclosure.

[Albert Clark]

Awesome. My hot side is 90 -93. Cool side is 75-77 Humidity is 85-90.
CLean water bowl always. Always clean enclosure.

What you can also do is place paper towels over the area where you expect the animal to feed. That can minimize the overall amount or even eradicate substrate ingestion.

[jay's reptiles]

What you can also do is place paper towels over the area where you expect the animal to feed. That can minimize the overall amount or even eradicate substrate ingestion.


Ill start doing that. Thank you.

[sirtalis]

What you can also do is place paper towels over the area where you expect the animal to feed. That can minimize the overall amount or even eradicate substrate ingestion.

I've done that before, it works well and as long as humidity and the temperatures at at a optimal temperature they should handle the eco earth just fine, you can bump the temps and humidity up a bit if your worried

[dave himself]

The only danger with putting down paper is the snake eating it which does happen especially as she bigger, so I would just keep a very close eye on her at feeding time if you choose to do so ;)

[Albert Clark]

The only danger with putting down paper is the snake eating it which does happen especially as she bigger, so I would just keep a very close eye on her at feeding time if you choose to do so ;)

Good point dave. Definitely have to monitor the feedings with the larger reptiles. Keep those tongs closeby so you can just grab hold of the paper towel or unprinted newspaper.

[MartinD]

I've seen people feed their snakes by putting the food on a plastic lid, like an old tupperware lid, that way it can be cleaned as well.

[jay's reptiles]

I've seen people feed their snakes by putting the food on a plastic lid, like an old tupperware lid, that way it can be cleaned as well.


I think i'll do this, i like this idea!!

[dannybgoode]

I've seen people feed their snakes by putting the food on a plastic lid, like an old tupperware lid, that way it can be cleaned as well.

I used to do this for a while with my corn but stopped bothering. I do not like disturbing my snakes at all when feeding - my process is open viv, ensure snake has taken prey, lights out and leave (I always feed at night).

Then after 30 mins to an hour I briefly check that the prey has been eaten and then leave undisturbed for a day or 2.

I found having to retrieve the feeding plate was just an adding thing to disturb the snake doing so stopped bothering.

I've never had any issues with substrate ingestion.

[MartinD]

I don't have the problem of substrate and like Danny I feed mine then check on them an hour later and then again the next morning. I feed around 9pm on Sunday's.

My friend owns a fish and chip shop so I get the wrapping paper from him, but just lately I keep getting the urge to change to Aspen.

[sattva]

Wow.. I might be doing this all wrong... All I have for a substrate is paper towels... I have to say though, none of my guys eat off the ground... They take it from the tongs...

I always feed late at night... I like my guys out and hunting before I go in there... So they're in the dark for a couple of hours before they get to eat.

I thaw out all my rats in a ziplock bag, for about 3 to 5 hours... Then when I'm ready to feed, I pop a bowl of water in the microwave for 3 minutes; drop the bag in the hot water for 5 minutes on each side... Grab the bag and I am in and out of that room in less 3 minutes and then there back in the dark... Maybe an hour after that, I will go back in to make sure everybody Finished up... It's always a good feeling when I know all my guys have full tummies... :yes:

[MartinD]

Yeah it's a great feeling when all your snakes have eaten. I probably won't go to Aspen as I do like the unprinted newspaper

[sattva]

Yeah it's a great feeling when all your snakes have eaten. I probably won't go to Aspen as I do like the unprinted newspaper
I thought about using unprinted newspaper also but the paper towels provide a little cushion between them the glass and the belly heat... Not to mention their absorbent so when it's time for a cleaning your job is half done... I use the bounty 2x more absorbent... Can't be the cheapest way to go but only the best for my guys, right!
I'm still trying to figure out when their completely done pooing so I don't have to clean the same cage twice in one day... I use to clean it up the minute I smell anything, but now I try to wait until I know they're done... Yesterday Crystal pooed in her water dish and I got all excited since I just put the cage together for her... She such a little lady not wanting to soil here cage and all...:rolleyes:

[dannybgoode]

Why not use a decent more natural substrate like ecoearth (essentially just coco coir), orchid bark or nice mix of the both of them with some top soil?

Reptiles imo deserve better than a bit of paper. May just be me though, ymmv etc.

[MartinD]

I used to use ecoearth for my bearded dragons, but I used the already made up one.

[dannybgoode]

I used to use ecoearth for my bearded dragons, but I used the already made up one.

Straying a bit ot here so apologies but as you're in the UK look at the bioactive herps for their desert substrate. Brilliant stuff and if you want to go full bio then Tarron Boon who owns it is your man.

[MartinD]

OK thanks for the info Danny