what do you use for substrate?

[nick654377]

I have my two boas in AP tanks in my main living room and was wondering what all you guys use for substrate. I saw someone post on here or another forum about reptibark drying out and cracking the belly scales of snakes over time on their ball python.

So what all do you use other than reptibark?

I have them on paper towel right now and i personally do not like the look of papertowel. it works, its cheap, and humidity is around 35 on hot end and 55 on cool end. i know it should be up a tat more but i cannot get it up that much higher and i just had a perfect shed with my dums with this set up.

let me hear you options please.

[Aaron_S]

Go buy a huge bag of cypress mulch.

I personally have used mulch, ecoearth, aspen shavings, beta chip, paper towel and I currently use newspaper.

[Lankyrob]

I use reptibark in all my vivs and even in the "dry" vivs have had no issue at all.

[CK SandBoas]

I use cypress mulch for my BRB and my Royal, and aspen for my kenyans and grey banded king...

[Chu'Wuti]

I've been doing more rescue work in the past couple of years and started using white paper toweling because it's easy to clean up, I can see fecal condition quickly, and I can see whether a rescue has spider mites more easily.

Previously I have done natural vivaria and shredded aspen; liked both really well and am planning to get back to the natural vivaria for some of my snakes. However, I will continue to use paper toweling for rescues.

[Corey209]

Wouldn't recommend newspaper, the ink never drives and can come off on your reptile.

Newsprint Sheets in Stock - ULINE (http://www.uline.com/BL_1953/Newsprint-Sheets)

[CK SandBoas]

Wouldn't recommend newspaper, the ink never drives and can come off on your reptile.

Newsprint Sheets in Stock - ULINE (http://www.uline.com/BL_1953/Newsprint-Sheets)

I can honestly say i've never had the ink come off on my snakes, as i've used it for many years now as a base layer before i put the aspen or cypress mulch in......

[bcr226]

We're switching to cypress in all of our enclosures. It holds moisture well, isn't dyed, doesn't mold, and smells really nice. We've used Aspen which is okay, reptibark which is too dry and dusty and it bleeds dye if it gets in the water bowls, and we've tried papertowels and newspaper which is okay but doesn't allow the snakes to burrow if they want to.

I've been immensely pleased with the cypress bedding.

[Gravelanche]

I use reptibark in all my vivs and even in the "dry" vivs have had no issue at all.

yeah i have been recommended repti-bark by a few people too, i think it would only crack if it was super dry, if you were maintaining humidity properly it would be fine

[Corey209]

I like zilla jungle mix with eco earth

Zilla - Where Reptiles Rule » Jungle Mix | Products | Bedding (http://www.zilla-rules.com/products/bedding/fir-sphagnum-peat-moss.htm)

[nick654377]

Have any ofyou had problem with mites when buying substrate from pet stores?

[Corey209]

Have any ofyou had problem with mites when buying substrate from pet stores?

I wouldn't imagine sealed substrates having mites rather then the store or someone bringing in mites.

[nick654377]

ok so should i go with

Zoo Med Forest Floor Bedding at PETCO (http://www.petco.com/product/6347/Zoo-Med-Forest-Floor-Bedding.aspx)

Zilla - Where Reptiles Rule » Jungle Mix | Products | Bedding (http://www.zilla-rules.com/products/bedding/fir-sphagnum-peat-moss.htm)

Cypress Mulch: Reptile Basics Inc (http://www.reptilebasics.com/substrate/cypress-mulch/)

[Corey209]

ok so should i go with

Zoo Med Forest Floor Bedding at PETCO (http://www.petco.com/product/6347/Zoo-Med-Forest-Floor-Bedding.aspx)

Zilla - Where Reptiles Rule » Jungle Mix | Products | Bedding (http://www.zilla-rules.com/products/bedding/fir-sphagnum-peat-moss.htm)

Cypress Mulch: Reptile Basics Inc (http://www.reptilebasics.com/substrate/cypress-mulch/)

Option 1 and 3 are the same thing, I'd use jungle mix or eco earth personally.

[NBLADE]

I've used repti bark for years,well i did use repti bark, then i changed to orchid bark which is exactly the same stuff just from a different company without the repti name and much cheaper. Don't know if you can get that over there though, but i've never had a problem with it drying out and causing any issues, it will be fine for the boas. I also like beech chips, that will be fine for them, i'm not a massive fan of aspen though.

You can get mites in most reptile relates substrates, if they are kept in an area where there are snakes with mites the mites can travel and get in them, has happened a few times, but generally freezing first or baking the substrate for a few minutes will eradicate any stow aways.

[cossiecraig]

I had my boa on aspen shavings , but i just switched to forest bark

[Aaron_S]

Wouldn't recommend newspaper, the ink never drives and can come off on your reptile.

Newsprint Sheets in Stock - ULINE (http://www.uline.com/BL_1953/Newsprint-Sheets)

LOL

You talk like you actually know what you're saying. I use newspaper on all my snakes, including white ones and there's no ink on them.

With that said, make sure you use the right newspaper. Some still have ink coming off them but most don't anymore.

[nick654377]

You can get mites in most reptile relates substrates, if they are kept in an area where there are snakes with mites the mites can travel and get in them, has happened a few times, but generally freezing first or baking the substrate for a few minutes will eradicate any stow aways.


i like the freezing idea. i think that would be much easier than baking. i think i am going to go with the jungle mix or look into the orchard bark.

[Corey209]

LOL

You talk like you actually know what you're saying. I use newspaper on all my snakes, including white ones and there's no ink on them.

With that said, make sure you use the right newspaper. Some still have ink coming off them but most don't anymore.

When I researched substrate before I ever even got my first snake I saw many pictures of reptiles like beardies with stained feet from newspaper. As far as I know a lot of places use soy based ink which wouldn't hurt your reptile but I still wouldn't want anything to come off.

Your experience doesn't change others.

[KORBIN5895]

i like the freezing idea. i think that would be much easier than baking. i think i am going to go with the jungle mix or look into the orchard bark.

I don't think freezing actually kills mites.

When I researched substrate before I ever even got my first snake I saw many pictures of reptiles like beardies with stained feet from newspaper. As far as I know a lot of places use soy based ink which wouldn't hurt your reptile but I still wouldn't want anything to come off.

Your experience doesn't change others.

So what experience do you have with newspaper again?

[Corey209]

I don't think freezing actually kills mites.



So what experience do you have with newspaper again?

Freezing kills mites if it's done over a prolonged amount of time.

I never said I had any, other people's experience.

[KORBIN5895]

I have always read that freezing doesn't actually kill mites.

As for the experience thing you kinda passed it off as you did.

[Corey209]

I have always read that freezing doesn't actually kill mites.

As for the experience thing you kinda passed it off as you did.

I was linked to two different websites when I first had mites and one talks about prolonged exposure will kill them.

The Life History of Snake Mites | Vida Preciosa International, Inc. (http://vpi.com/publications/the_life_history_of_snake_mites)

I always trusted this source as reliable since they are fairly well known.

[Aaron_S]

When I researched substrate before I ever even got my first snake I saw many pictures of reptiles like beardies with stained feet from newspaper. As far as I know a lot of places use soy based ink which wouldn't hurt your reptile but I still wouldn't want anything to come off.

Your experience doesn't change others.

Okay, I'll go get Mykee and others who have used newspaper on DOZENS upon DOZENS of snakes. No stains.

I think our number of snakes that we own outweighs a dozen people with 2 animals each.

[Squirtle]

When I first started keeping snakes, I used repti-bark. I didn't like it because it brought wood mites and although they're completely harmless, there was a lot of them and I didn't like it for some reason. Right now I'm using newspaper, but will be switching back to aspen or Cypress Mulch. Cypress Mulch is like a combination of aspen and repti-bark as it somewhat resembles aspen, yet it keeps humidity up just as good as repti-bark or even better from what I've heard.

[KORBIN5895]

I was linked to two different websites when I first had mites and one talks about prolonged exposure will kill them.

The Life History of Snake Mites | Vida Preciosa International, Inc. (http://vpi.com/publications/the_life_history_of_snake_mites)

I always trusted this source as reliable since they are fairly well known.

I believe that it actually has more yo do with the lack of food source than the cold

[Corey209]

I believe that it actually has more yo do with the lack of food source than the cold

That would actually make more sense.

[Trent]

Currently using newspaper on my 80 plus snakes including several Albino bci and a Snow.
No ink on any of them.
Have used it off and on over the last 20 years.One of the safest and easiest things to use.{Not to mention the cheapest}

[nick654377]

im just ordering cypress from RBI and some eco earth because i want a golf club style hook from him. this little pocket hook i have is starting to bend :(

[Terranaut]

I have messed around with a few things now and have come to the conclusion there is no perfect all around substrate out there.
Cheap stuff usually looks cheap but if your a breader or keep your snakes in the basement who cares.
Expensive stuff looks great but is it worth the cost?
If humidity is not a concern I use aspen. Its cheap and I do not like the look of newspaper because I display all my animals cages in my "mancave".
If humidity is a concern I have blended reptibark, cypress and eco earth together. I love the look and it lies between expensive and cheap.
If I can buy large/discounted reptibark and eco earth I will use this with everyone but my beardies.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j9/terranaut0/20130218_185319_zps767b2fff.jpg

[Gravelanche]

i supose this is the best thread to ask, for my BRB i have decided to us a mix of reptibark and fir/sphagnum peat moss to help hold moisture with an undertank heater. think this will be sufficient?

[LadyWraith]

I prefer the simplicity of newspaper myself. I found the loose substrates to be too messy for my taste and more difficult to maintain. That may just make me lazy though. :P

[Rogue628]

When I very first started keeping snakes a long time ago (90's), I used aspen until I got wood mites twice. From what I understand, they aren't harmful to reptiles but I don't like even harmless critters on my critters.

Since then I've been using newspaper. Thrifty Nickel/American Classifieds since it's free. I usually grab up what's left on Wednesdays (since it comes out on Thursdays). I prefer newspaper because it makes tub cleaning easier. Plus it forces me to clean more often, which means a more healthy environment for my animals (and I'm pretty OCD about how clean their tubs stay).

As far as humidity....I didn't have any issues where I used to live because the natural humidity was fine. When I moved to where it was drier, I started having humidity issues, but fixed that by buying new tubs and putting less holes and along the top of the tub as opposed to many holes in the center.

And as far as ink getting on my animals....I did have one time where one of my albino burms must have spilled her water during the night and I didn't see it the next morning before work (I do routine checks in the morning before work) and when I came home from my second job late that night, he poor girl had a horribly dirty cage and some ink on her. I managed to wash most of it off and the rest came off when she shed (about 2 weeks later). But that's the only time in many years of using newspaper as a substrate that the ink actually got on any of my animals.

[bcr226]

i supose this is the best thread to ask, for my BRB i have decided to us a mix of reptibark and fir/sphagnum peat moss to help hold moisture with an undertank heater. think this will be sufficient?

My main turn off to reptibark is that it's dyed. If the snake gets some in the water dish, the water will leech the dye from the chips. I'm partial to cypress now. Love it and all of the snakes seem to really like it. And it looks great!

[jarich]

My main turn off to reptibark is that it's dyed. If the snake gets some in the water dish, the water will leech the dye from the chips. I'm partial to cypress now. Love it and all of the snakes seem to really like it. And it looks great!

Is that the only reason you think it is dyed or do you have other evidence? That just sounds like natural tannins from the bark. I would be surprised to find out they take the time (or money) to dye it.

[moshirimon]

I use paper. Plain white paper. I've got tons of it and I'm sure anyone can get good prices on bulk. Its clean, cheap, and any mites can easily be spotted if present. And you won't have to worry about ink getting on your reptiles if youre a little paranoid. If your enclosures are proper I don't think you'd have to worry about humidity or temps with daily misting. Before I had my tanks in a room where the rooms temperature and humidity was high. I used a little oil heater and humidifier. recently I have moved them to my bedroom and I didn't want to sleep in a rain forest so I have sealed off all screen with plexiglass and tape. Works great for me. I spray once or twice a day, more during winter since its extremely dry here in Canada during then. Only thing I don't like about using paper is the way it wrinkles up after misting. Not a big deal though .

[Lankyrob]

With my vivs sealed nicely and using reptibark i can get away with only having to spray twice a week, even for the gtp.