Looking for the right substrate, please help.

[BoidKeeper]

I want to set one of my ball pythons up in a naturalistic enclosure and I was wondering what type of a substrate to use. So far I’m thinking about zoomeds forest floor or reptibark. The one I’m most curious about is peat moss, can it be used?
Thanks,
Trevor

[eferna]

well im a newbie, but I am using Forest floor and do not find any problems with it. It hold moisture good and its not difficult to clean. It also gives a very natural look/
Not sure about peat moss.

[Matt]

just an opinion, but peat moss is real messy, and not the greatest substrate....when you wet it it sticks to everything, and when its dry it is real dusty.

i love cypress mulch, i keep nearly everything on it, and it is very naturalistic IMO

[escm]

Ive never used it but I have a friend who has used cypress his whole life. it looks realllly good, is cheap, he says its easy to clean and holds moisture well. just remember to hit the stuff with some provent-a-mite if you buy a big sack from the hardware store.

[stormyva]

Well put escm!
Cypress Mulch and Reptibark are my two favorites.
If you have something that needs higher humidity you can put some coconut fiber in first and then put cypress or reptibark over top of it. Then all you have to do to really boost the humidty is pour in a small amount water right onto the floor of the cage. The water will drain thru the mulch and soak into the coconut fiber leaving the mulch dry so that the snake wont get too wet.

[Edwin]

stormyva, thats a great idea. I am going to try it next time I change the substrate. Right now, I am using reptibark in my smaller cages, and aspen wood bark/cypress mulch in my larger terrarium (cant afford to fill it up with reptibark). What I found is that the wood bark and cypress mulch have tiny little white insects in them, even after baking. Are they harmful? They are not mites.

[Weather1]

I am using Carefresh Animal Bedding for my Ball and Corns. They seem to like it.

They like to hide under it. And it holds it's shape when they tunnel.

It is also very clean, no chemicals, dyes or anthing bad.

It also holds moisture well when misted.

I have never used cyprus or other wood products so I can not compaire, but I thing Carefresh is great

[ksshane]

I like aspen bedding, but to be honest I wouldnt say that it looks all that natural. But my snakes sure do seem to like hiding in it.

[CornBall]

I agree, aspen is all I use, it's not dusty, it's clean, and keeps shape as well for tunneling. Sure it's not the most natural look but one of the best substrates forlittle $$ in my books.

-Ryan