cage liner/substrate

[ReptiWoman]

What do you use for substrate or liner for your large enclosures. I am fostering two full grown suriname boas and they are each in a seperate vision 432 cage. dimentions are 54 wide x 36 deep x 18 high. I use newspaper in my other enclosures but they are a lot smaller then these huge things!

[bcr229]

We use cypress mulch for all of ours. If I wanted a paper-based liner I would look at rolls of packing paper as it is available in 36" widths and can be cut to whatever length you need.

Your local office supply store should carry it. ULine does also:
Indented Kraft Paper in Stock - ULINE (http://www.uline.com/BL_1961/Indented-Kraft-Paper)
Kraft Paper Rolls in Stock - ULINE (http://www.uline.com/BL_1951/Kraft-Paper-Rolls)

[ReptiWoman]

We use cypress mulch for all of ours. If I wanted a paper-based liner I would look at rolls of packing paper as it is available in 36" widths and can be cut to whatever length you need.

Your local office supply store should carry it. ULine does also:
Indented Kraft Paper in Stock - ULINE (http://www.uline.com/BL_1961/Indented-Kraft-Paper)
Kraft Paper Rolls in Stock - ULINE (http://www.uline.com/BL_1951/Kraft-Paper-Rolls)

oh nice! thank you!

[cornsnake15]

Something that works for me is leaving the floor bare. However, if you do this, you'll have to use a heat mat because heat lights don't heat the floor of the cage. I also put a large doormat at the side of the cage without the heat mat so that the snake can be in the cool end of the cage without havung to lie on the cold glass. I have used this build for my boas and burmese pythons. It works great

[cornsnake15]

I reccommend leaving the floor bare. However, you'll have to use a heat mat because heat lights don't heat the floor. I out a large door mat on the side of the cage without the heat mat sothe snake can beinthe cool end of the cage without having to lie on the cold glass. I have used this build for my red tailed boas and my burmese pythons and it worked perfectly.

[Lankyrob]

Something that works for me is leaving the floor bare. However, if you do this, you'll have to use a heat mat because heat lights don't heat the floor of the cage. I also put a large doormat at the side of the cage without the heat mat so that the snake can be in the cool end of the cage without havung to lie on the cold glass. I have used this build for my boas and burmese pythons. It works great

Smakes didnt evolve to live on glass and when they pee what soaks up the mess?

Can you explain how heat lamps dont heat the floor? Would that be the same theory that the sun doesnt heat the ground?

[ReptiWoman]

Something that works for me is leaving the floor bare. However, if you do this, you'll have to use a heat mat because heat lights don't heat the floor of the cage. I also put a large doormat at the side of the cage without the heat mat so that the snake can be in the cool end of the cage without havung to lie on the cold glass. I have used this build for my boas and burmese pythons. It works great

Yeah i dont like that idea, but thank you. These are huge cages and i dont want to crawl in there to scrub the floor every time they relieve themselves. Also these cages are made of plastic, not glass. I do not belive in keeping snakes in glass tanks, expecially 7 foot snakes.

[ReptiWoman]

Smakes didnt evolve to live on glass and when they pee what soaks up the mess?

Can you explain how heat lamps dont heat the floor? Would that be the same theory that the sun doesnt heat the ground?

My thoughts exactly!

[NCHornet]

I have used just about everything over the years, but now I only use Aspen. It is cheap at WalMart and Tractor Supply. I spot clean as needed, and do a complete change and cleaning once a month.

[TheSuppishOne]

How about using paper, but shredding it? It would give the snake the ability to burrow, and may even be easier to spot clean! (I think it would be digestable, too, no?)

Is that an acceptable substrate?

[RyanReptile]

I just use newspaper for most of my snakes its very easy to clean and no risk of impaction. It's also pretty much free.

[ReptiWoman]

I just use newspaper for most of my snakes its very easy to clean and no risk of impaction. It's also pretty much free.

I use newspaper for all my other enclosures but this cage is HUGE id have to lay down ALOT of paper to cover the surface of the floor. lol

[ReptiWoman]

How about using paper, but shredding it? It would give the snake the ability to burrow, and may even be easier to spot clean! (I think it would be digestable, too, no?)

Is that an acceptable substrate?

Thant might actually work, I get a lot of junk mail and I could shred it and just throw it into the cage lol. hmmm its something to think about! Nice idea!

[TheSuppishOne]

I probably wouldn't use paper that had been printed on... I'd be scared that something in the ink would be toxic...

I was talking about the kraft paper that bcr229 posted links to. Just put the roll on a spool, start it into the paper shredder, and let the shredder do its thing until I had enough, haha.

[NCHornet]

I agree 100% that what is used in the ink may cause harm. Maybe not, but is it worth the risk? Not to me, a compressed bale of Aspen costs be $8 at Tractor Supply, I can 5 to 6 - 4 ft cages that are 24" deep, and I lay it in there a couple inches thick. With larger snakes it can get compacted down. Whenever I take them out I always fluff it up before they go back in. They love to bury themselves in it. Plus I like the way it looks, much nicer than paper or cardboard of any kind. So that is $1.33 per cage, and I do a total cleaning once a month and it all gets replaced. Of course I spot clean as needed. I take the old shavings and use them in my compost pile. My snakes are worth $1.33 a month to me. YMMV?

[Pirarucu]

I use plain old dirt. It works fantastic.

[bcr229]

I was talking about the kraft paper that bcr229 posted links to. Just put the roll on a spool, start it into the paper shredder, and let the shredder do its thing until I had enough, haha.
If you're going to do that, visit some small businesses in your area to see if they receive shipments. We run a small biz out of the house and we send an insane amount of cardboard and packing paper material to the recycle center every week. They might just give you the used brown packing paper at no charge.

Of course, now you have me thinking... we also have a shredder...

[TheSuppishOne]

How do we feel about Kraft paper vs Newsprint paper?

Kraft Paper Rolls in Stock - ULINE (http://www.uline.com/BL_1951/Kraft-Paper-Rolls)
vs
Newsprint Rolls in Stock - ULINE (http://www.uline.com/BL_1954/Newsprint-Rolls)

The Newsprint paper is cheaper, but it won't look as "natural" as the Kraft, since it's white. What are your thoughts on which may be the better substrate? =]

[ReptiWoman]

I agree 100% that what is used in the ink may cause harm. Maybe not, but is it worth the risk? Not to me, a compressed bale of Aspen costs be $8 at Tractor Supply, I can 5 to 6 - 4 ft cages that are 24" deep, and I lay it in there a couple inches thick. With larger snakes it can get compacted down. Whenever I take them out I always fluff it up before they go back in. They love to bury themselves in it. Plus I like the way it looks, much nicer than paper or cardboard of any kind. So that is $1.33 per cage, and I do a total cleaning once a month and it all gets replaced. Of course I spot clean as needed. I take the old shavings and use them in my compost pile. My snakes are worth $1.33 a month to me. YMMV?

good point! Hmm i wonder if i can find aspen for that cheap. I usually just buy the big bags from the local herp shop but thats like 10 bucks for a bag that wont come close to filling even half of one of the cages. Ill check some local tractor supply places around. Thanks!

[TheSuppishOne]

Actually, for those wanting paper, papermart.com is even better. Just got a 15"x1695' roll of Kraft paper for $35 shipped.

[NCHornet]

No problem glad I could help.
Between kraft and newspaper the choice would be kraft. Since there is no ink involved you remove that risk, although certain dye's can be bad for snakes as well. But kraft paper has been used for years with no issues that I know of.

[ReptiWoman]

Actually, for those wanting paper, papermart.com is even better. Just got a 15"x1695' roll of Kraft paper for $35 shipped.

ohhhhhh! nice!! Thanks!!

[Theweinz]

How do we feel about Kraft paper vs Newsprint paper?

Kraft Paper Rolls in Stock - ULINE (http://www.uline.com/BL_1951/Kraft-Paper-Rolls)
vs
Newsprint Rolls in Stock - ULINE (http://www.uline.com/BL_1954/Newsprint-Rolls)

The Newsprint paper is cheaper, but it won't look as "natural" as the Kraft, since it's white. What are your thoughts on which may be the better substrate? =]

I use Uline's Kraft indented paper. The rolls are as wide as the enclosure and have the ability to soak up much of the liquid waste thereby easing cleanup. also, I think the animals like moving on the textured surface vs the smooth newspaper or butcher paper surface although not one of my snakes has verbally confirmed that observation :p

[TheSuppishOne]

Yep. Papermart.com now has my business forever. I ordered it Friday at 3:30pm online.

It came to my door today (Saturday) at 10am. Now THAT'S service! =D

[jimmy62alan]

I have seen large vivs lined with cushion flooring,or lino and across the water linoliam I think thats how its spelt lol.
When you see it fitted in a viv it does dress it up a bit as well and if you have a second piece ready to change over it could make things better.
ALAN
Sheffield S25