aspen

[Buntin]

when i bought my corn snake i was planning on keeping him on paper towel for substrate but the shop owner told me to use aspen (and i had read on caresheets that its ok) but today when i was changing his water i keapt hearing him sort of hiss it was only quick hissing if you know what i mean it's hard to exsplain but after i thought about it and he might of be sneezing.. do they sneeze? when i emptied the bag in the viv it did seem very dusty has anyone else had any problems with it? what other substrate could i use because after how much he does like to burrow i dont think its fair to put him on towel what do you lot think?

[LISA127]

I have always used aspen with cornsnakes with no problems. I like it better than towels or paper. I think the snakes are more comfortable on it. My aspen doesn't seem dusty at all.

[Darwin's Oasis]

I switched from newspaper to aspen shavings. I have now been using aspen for about 2 years. I have not had any problems with any of my snakes. I also find it easier to clean up.

I know a few other breeders in my area that use aspen as well. I have not heard them mention any problems either.

Troy Mouck
http://www.darwinsoasis.ca

[JAdkins2451]

Are you a 100% sure It was aspen. Could it have been pine as it is quite dusty.

[vanderkm]

We do use aspen for some of our corns but the brands that are regularly available here are often very dusty and I think could be responsible for sneezing and predispose to respiratory infections. I actually sift the dust out of it before using it (put a handful in a pasta drainer and shake the dust out - a pain, but we had two big bags we already bought that I didn't want to waste!).

CareFresh is a great alternative - it is more expensive but looks better than paper towel, is very absorbant (have to watch that the snake has good humidity to make sure they have good sheds) and is quite good for spot cleaning. Definitely the bedding we prefer until something better comes along.

mary v.

[Buntin]

ok thanks for all the replys im not totally sure it is aspen because it just came in a see-through freezer type bag i think i will order some more off-line i will also try your siving trick vanderkm