youngster substrates- atlernative to newspaper

[striko_69]

I dont want to use newspaper as first substrate, what else is ther?

i am buying from a breeder with a VERY good reputation. Best breeder (opinion) in south-west england, you may recognise them from the bearded dragon manual, the author of the frilled dragon section is the guy who runs it. So not too many worries about disease

[HetForHuman]

why not news paper there is nothing wrong with using it?

maybe paper towel, or ive heard of people using corrugated cardboard as well.

[Invictus]

If you don't mind cleaning duties and want something that looks better than newspaper, go for shredded aspen. We use that for most of our snakes, but I have to admit... I'm slowly becoming a newspaper convert.... got 3 of our snakes on it now... we'll see how many more :D

[stkkts]

I like papertowels. There is no ink ro rub off on the snake to make it look dirty. Plus clean up is quick and easy. Although at 35 cents for a newspaper, its more expensive to use paper towels. I have 2 snakes on it now, I love it.

[elevation24]

I use Carefresh. It's pretty cheap, it doesn't look too bad, it's pretty easy to clean, and it's safe.

[jay76]

You could try plain brown wrapping paper too. I'm lucky enough to be able to get pieces from where I work. Just like newspaper but no articles.

[fateamber]

I use bounty (the kitchin towel stuff) for my bp! I'ts sooooo pretty right now his floor is lined with pretty pictures and stuff! :)

[mango]

I use outdoor carpet. I got a 4ft high 6ft long roll of it for 3 bux in the extras rack at the home center. Very cheep. If you have more than one carpet it's very easy to clean. Looks a little more natural in a display tank.

[lilyskip]

you could try ceramic tiles. not sure how they deal with heat, though...it may get way too hot. really though, newspaper rocks, man. easy to clean, free...not too much else to be desired!

[stkkts]

linoleum flooring. you can get it cheap at home depot. cleans up easy as hell.

[mykee]

I use unprinted newsprint, you can get it at any moving supply store. You could also try butcher's paper, the brown stuff you get your meat wrapped in if you go to a butcher, never used it, but heard good things.

[sapphire_moon]

I use news paper. SO easy to clean up, and just as cheap to...just go raid the "free" papers lol.....

[snakehunter]

in door out door, i love it. if its dirty, just throw it in the wash

[Linds]

Papertowel is the best IMHO. YOu can get the shop towels which are thicker and blue, so its not as sterile looking as the white kitchen type. Bath towels also work well and come in any colour you want.
If you want to go with a natural substrate my best recommendation would be to go with cypress mulch. You need to decide on a feeding stretegy however as it can cause impaction. Carefresh also works well for a loose substrate, it can hold humidity nicely as well, although it isn't very natural looking (drabby grey). Same precautions as the cypress mulch.
I don't really like indoor/outdoor carpetting. IMHO its too difficult to keep clean and I don't like the ideas of all those glues in them, especially when heated.

[Andy_G]

I liek using news paper because I have the Ottawa Sun nearby and I just go there and ask for extras from the rolls that they use for printing and get a huge huge huge amount of newspaper with no ink on it.

[Jeff_Favelle]

Super paper towel is great, so are aspen chips, cypress mulch and carefresh. But I just have to ask this:

i am buying from a breeder with a VERY good reputation. Best breeder (opinion) in south-west england,

If you're buying the "best breeder" then why don't you just ask him/her what they use? Surely the best breeder would know.

[striko_69]

Yeah cheers, i think ill just use astro turf