Kenya Substrate Pros and Cons

[SerpentLust]

Hello guys, I might be getting a Kenyan Sand Boa Male for my birthday :D

I have everything planned out, cage setup, heating, etc. except ONE thing. I can't figure out what kind of substrate to use...

Now before we get into the whole sand debate, I'm saying right now that I will not use it. Quite frankly, I will not take the risk, no matter HOW many people say they've used sand without a problem. Also, cleaning it is just horrid lol.

But I'll go for ANY suggestions other than sand. And preferrably the pros and cons for such a substrate. Like cypress mulch, newspaper, shavings, reptibark, anything.

Thanks guys :)
Jenn

[Piers]

newspaper, it ain't pretty but it works and easy to clean. Also you don't have to worry about the snake injesting substrate of any sort.
I've kept sand boas on newspaper with no problems at all. If you do find that the snake won't eat on newspaper you can put it on sand untill it dose eat well then change it over to newspaper later.
Piers

[reverendsterlin]

I recently tried a garden product called enviroguard, not good for humidity enclosures but works well for dry enclosures necessary for some species. I keep corns, some kings, some milks, the WBDs, and the Hognose on it and like it so far. I figure sand boas and rosys would do really well in it.

[Linds]

Carefresh works well in arid environments, as well as shredded aspen. Roy uses a product called Beta-Chip, its little hardwood chips. I've seen it before and it looks good, and apparently has a reduced risk of impaction over the forementioned substrates.

You want to avoid any softwoods such as pine (especially cedar!). Softwoods all contain oils that re toxic to one degree or another. Pine is an extremely mild toxin that irritates the respiratory system, though it is so mild I still woudln't risk it.

I don't like sand either, but I like calci-sand even less! This is quite possibly the worst substrate any snake can be housed on IMHO. Not only is it less digestible than it says, it carries a greater risk of impaction as well as interferes with the digestion of regular prey items since it acts as an antacid (its made out of the same stuff as tums, and if you read the tums bottle you cannot take it around any other meds becasue it inhibits absorption as well as quiets down the digestive juices). I have also found animals to become dehydrated on it.

[Invictus]

All 4 of our Kenyans are in FINELY-shredded aspen. I wouldn't use the normal shred for Kenyans. We've never had feeding problems, and if they do ingest it, it's extremely unlikely that it will get impacted - it's just too fine. Passes right through 'em. :)

[Beardonicus]

How do you get finely shredded aspen? I assume its not the stuff you get in the average petsore, correct?

[Invictus]

So far the only place I've found it is WalMart. It's made by Nature's Gold. Has a blue label on the front. It's great.. each shaving is maybe 1 mm wide, if that.