Substrate and Water bowls

[feranaja]

Two more questions, I thought a new topic might be in order...

One, is Aspen the preferred substrate for balls? I have heard hemp is very good as well; also heard pros and cons about aspen, that one should not feed the snake in a tank with aspen as they can inhale it...one site suggested removing the snake to a newspaper lined tank to feed, which isn't a go for me since Clem would probably be just stressed more by the transfer. What do you all recommend?

And second - again, I'm hearing directly opposing views on water dishes. One view states that the dish should be large enough for the snake to soak in; the other says definitely NOT. The one I have is not large anough for her to soak in, although the odd time she comes out of her hide she will sort of halfways lay in it.
If I used a smaller water dish, I could fit two smaller hides in the tank (as opposed to the one very large on I have at the moment.

Thanks so much..
Catherine

[Tigergenesis]

I've never heard not to give them a water dish big enough to soak in. I think most people give them a dish big enough to soak in if they wish to.

If you want to use a loose substrate, you want to use cypress over aspen. Aspen is for species that don't need/like humidity. Cypress holds humidity better. Many use cypress mulch, newspaper, or carpet. If you use a loose substrate you should not feed on it - feed in a separate container to avoide possible injestion of the substrate. If you're concerned about your BP being stressed with such a move, consider newspaper, carpet or disposable liners.

[feranaja]

Thank you, I will look for cypress. ALso I'll see about a larger bowl, and if I find the site that said not to let them soak, I'll pass it along. Right now I can't put a larger bowl in the tank, but I'll be getting a larger enclosure so that won't be an issue for long.
Thanks again...
Catherine

[Auskan]

There is nothing wrong with using newspaper as your substrate, EXCEPT that it doesn't look as nice. The snake won't care one way or the other. I wouldn't feed on any substrate that is loose. Period.

As for the water bowl, I've also never heard of not using one big enough for them to soak. If yours is trying to soak in his too small water bowl, then he probably should have one that is big enough for him to soak in.

[Jeff_Favelle]

I don't know of any breeders that use water bowls big enough to soak in. Not for Ball Python anyways.

Aspen isn't really that great. It can be used, but newspaper, cypress mulch, and orchid bark are better substitutes.

[Vengeance]

One other substrate not mentioned here is Carefresh. It's a lose substrate and if consumed in small quanties is safe to the digestive track. It's easy to spot clean and if you have a picky eater that refuses to eat out of the enclosure and you want to use a loose substrate for ease of cleaning, carefresh is good.

Another thing to note is that if he is trying to soak that is one of the indicators of mites. There an external parasite so they wouldn't show up in a fecal test (I think please correct me if I'm wrong). Also you mentioned in the other thread it was a Wild Caught so the possiblity of mites is most likely high.

[sapphire_moon]

I use aspen for my BP's and it holds humidity fine (in a rubbermaid like container), I feed in cage (I put news paper UNDER the snake BEFORE I offer food, and watch them eat so they don't drag it on the aspen) it to is easy to spot clean.

The only reasons a bp would soak is if they have mites, or they are to hot. It is good to offer a bowl big enough to soak, but I don't think they need it. But with a smaller bowl you have to be careful or they might tip it.

Also you said you had one large hide in there. They can fit into incredibly small places. You might want to go ahead and get 2 small hides as is, and put your large water bowl in the middle (one hide on cool side one hide on hot side) And they seem to prefer the low tight hides.
JMHO

[Auskan]

Yeah, I was thinking mites too, when I read this, but at that time I hadn't read the other post where it says this is a wild caught. I think there is a very good chance this BP has mites and that is why he is trying to soak. Another reason they will sometimes soak is while going through the shed cycle. Mine never does at this time, so if she suddenly started soaking, I would be checking very closely for mites. They can be anywhere on the snakes body, but tend to congregate in the corners of the eyes, and under the head. Check the bottom of the water bowl for little black dots - if he has been soaking, there's a chance some have already dropped off into the water.

[elevation24]

I don't use water bowls large enough to soak in simply because when I did, I NEVER saw ANY of my balls soaking!! It just didn't seem worth it to have such a large dish in there just for drinking.

I use cheap paper towels and Carefresh for substrate :)

[Auskan]

That's a good point Jennifer. Mine has a bowl large enough to soak in, but has never soaked either so if I had to replace it for some reason, I would go with something a bit smaller. On the other hand, if you have one that is trying to soak as it sounds like this one is, then I think the owner has a responsibility to a) rule out mites as a reason for soaking and b) if mites are not the reason and it is just a snake that likes to soak (or is getting ready to shed), provide a bowl large enough to soak in. JMO.

[nita]

Hi, I have one bp that likes to soak when in shed so I provide her a large bowl. I try to select water dishes though that are low and wide anyway to help prevent tipping. My new aquiree also has a large water dish but this is because I don't know its preference yet and it is a rescue and it is in quaranteen so it may have mites and as others stated soaking is a possible indication of them.