Substrate question

[Grim]

I'm planning on bringing home a Mexican Black Kingsnake next month and I'm trying to get everything set up beforehand. I know that aspen is the best, but I've also heard good things about Eco Earth. Personally, I like the look of the dark substrate better, but would it be okay to use? I've read that it holds humidity pretty well, but Kings don't need much humidity on a regular basis, do they?

Anyway, if not Eco Earth, is there another dark substrate I would be okay to use? Any and all recommendations are appreciated :)

[SnakeyJay]

I don't know much about a kings humidity levels so I'll leave that to someone else.. Obviously you dont want him getting scale rot if theyre low humidty snakes.

However I do know Eco earth can make a good mess (tried it for my brb) and gets all in the water bowls etc.. It does hold humidity well but I find if your going to use it it works well mixed with bark substrate. Well it did for me anyway.

[Jlassiter]

Eco Earth will work as long as you have a deep, loose layer of it to allow for burrowing.
Aspen is just more affordable for large collections.

Make sure the Eco Earth isn't too damp...Use it dry or just dampen a portion of it.
Kings do best with a thermal gradient and a humidity gradient. A humidity gradient can be achieved by using a shoebox sized tub filled with damp Sphagnum moss.
Place this tub where it is halfway on the hot side and halfway on the cool side.

[Grim]

He'll be my only snake, so cost isn't much of an issue. I plan on using it dry.
So, you're saying that I should have a humid hide constantly in his tank? To give him options?

I just want him to be happy :)

[Jlassiter]

Yep...if provided every option you can think of he will choose what he wants when he wants....then he will thrive rather than just live in captivity.

[TeaNinja]

http://i1006.photobucket.com/albums/af184/teaninja/substrate001.jpg
i mix those :P (had that picture in my photobucket from a long time ago)

[Terranaut]

I jave been messing with many substrates and eco earth is one I am trying out right now. I have my Gopher snake and my Jag on eco earth. Its only as humid as you make it. My vivs is dry and firm. I wet it to start but it dries out over time. I also have my day gecko on it but he gets a misting twice a week so his is damp. I love it but can't imagine ising it with my adult boas. Would cost me a fotune.

[Terranaut]

So as I said I am playing with substrates so your thread made me want to see if a King would be good on eco earth. I bought a bunch of stuff a few months back and got a huge bag tossed in. So I just did both my ball and my king with this stuff.
My king dug it all up and had a crap all within 10 min of going in. In king language this means " Lovin it !!"
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j9/terranaut0/photo-388.jpg
My royal just lurked around a bit and went into his hide. He doesn't really care.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j9/terranaut0/photo-1827.jpg
It looks nice and I will keep an eye on humidity.
Both are sitting around 85% now but the king is in a critter keeper and the ball is in pvc. So the kings viv will dry out considerably faster than the balls viv.
Oh yeah my standings day gecko got a new viv as well.
My son named this guy Mr Wiggles.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j9/terranaut0/photo-538.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j9/terranaut0/photo-2128.jpg
Sorry to the op but this isn't a hijack I just got currious about the same thing and thought what the heck :)

[Grim]

Haha, not a problem, Terranaut! Cute little guy you got there! C:

Thanks for the tips, everyone! I'll be trying this out.