Can you use this substrate?

[rich_19]

Can you use cypress mulch for snakes? If so, should it be washed or undergo anything else to prepare it for use in a snake's enclosure?

[rich_19]

I forgot to ask: How often should the substrate be replaced?

[crimsonking]

I sometimes use it for snakes. Especially any wild ones I may have, or ones needing a bit more humid conditions. Some of my scarlet kings, boas,water snakes, etc. Clean as you would any other substrate. Weekly and when you notice any droppings.
:Mark

[michael56]

What substrate do you use for your water snakes? I'm still stuck on astro turf and paper towel (depending on the clean-up schedule). For the amount and liquid content of the nerodia I'm still not satisfied with what I'm using. I've also been considering a fully aquatic enviroment with perches and shelves that can be removed for cleaning. Then, filtering systems (aquarium) would deal with the bulk of feces. I'm debating if humidity could then be a problem but I'm thinking not since cages have screen lids and room is at about 40% humidity average (often lower).
Even now I have an eighty gallon tank I'm setting up exactly this way for the young taxispilotas.
I suppose the question is - what is max. "standing" humidity that nerodia can (not tolerate) but thrive in?
Michael

[LdyDrgn]

Personally I thing the aquatic environment with shelves and branches for basking would be ideal for nerodia! The water would not have to be more than 4 inches deep.

Cypress is a great substrate for any snake. For those that are arboreal or high humidity loving we keep the mulch damp and the heat pad covers the entire bottom of the enclosure. Arboreals will thermoregulate by moving up or down in their branches. For lower humidity snakes you don't have to wet it down at all. Any water spillage will be absorbed by the mulch and then dissipate into the air for some humidity. Wash the mulch and then bake it for a bit to kill any buggies. Or you can pretreat the entire bag with some BLack Knight or Sawyer's spray. Let it sit over night, then wash. :)

[crimsonking]

I had to remove a large water container for my nerodia clarkii compressicauda because one female just loved it too much. If kept in too damp conditions or they soak too long , many snakes(including water snakes) can develop blisters. Now I give them fresh water to drink/ soak in it once a week, and of course always provide a small dish for drinking. A natural setting would be ideal for us and nice to look at, but every snake is an individual and may or may not get out of the water to bask and dry off. I am using cypress at the moment. It poses a problem when feeding if you're not careful. Large pieces can stick to wet (like fish) food items and be swallowed. I can hand feed mine, but need to watch until they're done.
:Mark

[blito]

wouldn`t cypress contain toxic resins such as ite near-reletives, pine and cedar.. i`m no expert on these things but i thought it was a wise precaution to avoid using substrates that are derivitives of softwood... again though i could be wrong but thats the impression i was getting from another website.

[crimsonking]

A good friend and big breeder of colubrids has used pine shavings for years and years with no obvious problems. Although I use mostly aspen, I've seen others using pine as well. Cypress mulch seems to have no ill effect on the snakes I've kept on it.
:Mark

[reverendsterlin]

personally I would not use any aromatic wood for substrate, just in case.

[jncoclub]

I also thought that mites thrive in cyprus.

[Tinytim12333]

i use CareFRESH its non allergenic its recicled paper fuzz bundles and its super absorbant cheap and its safe when digested.

[V.hb]

cypress is good, but id bake it before using it.. then re-moisten it.

Mites thrive in anything moist, and unfortunatly most pet stores that have cypress usually have mites.. and the little wholes in the bag make it really easy to bring mites home with you, just use caution. other than that, i find it to be a good substrate for pretty much any humidity loving reptile.

[michael56]

I guess another reason that I'm considering getting away from "substrate" is that with so many terrariums it becomes burdensome to replenish/replace bulky material. Most of my nerodia are not (yet) handleable though most accept hand feeding. Switching to separate feeding containers has been a comedy of horrors so I've tried to stay with no-stick bedding material. The astro-turf is - OK - if I keep enough on hand, pre-cut to each size required, but still ...
I'm fortunate that none of the water snakes regardless of species are soakers however I do keep all water basins at the cool end of their tanks.
In the meantime I'm going to look at cypress mulch.
Michael

[Jonathan Crowe]

A quick note on water snake (Nerodia) care. An aquatic setup isn't needed or even recommended; in fact, it's a good way to give the snakes blister disease. I've had good results keeping water snakes in setups that differ very little from those I offer my other snakes -- these are essentially terrestrial snakes that feed on aquatic prey.

All my natricines (water snakes, garter snakes) have been kept on paper towels owing to the frequent and watery feces and urine -- even for those eating mice regularly -- except for one Northern Water Snake formerly in my possession whose propensity for turning her cage upside down required that she be kept on aspen shavings.

[Emily-Fisher]

Cypress mulch is fine and is actually one of the favorite substrates around :) But it's a good thing that you asked us before going right ahead and using it. good job!:thumbsup: I am sick and tired of people using something which they are not sure about and then losing an animal. There should be more keepers like you in this world! ;)

[rich_19]

What is Black Knight or Sawyer's spray? Is it some kind of mild pesticide? Where would I be able to get this?

[Zoe]

Black Knight is a pesticide, that is used to kill mites/eggs. It is effective, but can harm your reptile if you don't use it correctly.

[LdyDrgn]

Black Knight has to be ordered online. but I don't remember where it is available. Sawyer's spray is found at Wal-Mart around here in the camping section. I don't know where you are located Rich, but you might be able to find it elsewhere .....

[Lisa]

We use cypress for most of our snakes except the ones in rubbermaids and our neonate corns/kings.

Before using it in a tank we spray the cypress with Provent-a-Mite. works wonders. we also store the cypress mulch outside during the winter months.

[rich_19]

When I do use the spray, do I simply use it directly on the substrate or can I use a big batch that I can soak the mulch in?