Substrate?

moose · 01-16-08, 08:45 PM

I am getting my first ball in a week or so and i bought a tank kit comes with hide and water dish Ect. But it came with Douglas Fir bark as a substrate is this ok for balls or should i be using something else.

Herpkid101x · 01-17-08, 01:33 AM

it seems ok just if it isent cedar or pine

sierrabravo · 01-26-08, 09:46 PM

Be careful what kind of wood substrate you use, certain kinds, like cedar and pine emit oils that are harmful to snakes. I use only snake-approved pre-frozen subtrate from my local petstore. Stay away from "rodent bedding" which is usually made of cedar and is very light in color.

MorbidMindset · 01-28-08, 04:05 PM

oooh i will look intot that. i am using some kid of light collored bedding stuff that could be what you said. i just ordered a book on ball pythons but we already have it so i am trying to find out what exactly i need to do so it dont get sick or be miserable til i get to know what i am doing.

Herpkid101x · 01-29-08, 09:16 AM

you know what you could use to prevent shedding problems . i first i had aspen which is probably what MorbidMindSet is talking bout but u could use Cypress Bedding. Its natural and looks good in the cage and makes it look like a real envirirment. aspen isent all that good of a bedding since its is very dry. i think the company that makes it just writes random things anout it being so good. i used aspen bedding at first and my snake wouldnt shed in a whole. once i switched to cypress bedding hes shed whole ever since and i still use it so i would reccomend it to you and everyone else. also when using the cypress mist the cage and bedding about 3 times a day

CHRIS · 02-02-08, 05:12 PM

I have been using cypress mulch for along time now, and works well for me, it is a nice bedding and hold moisture for your humidity.
Chris

gonesnakee · 02-03-08, 01:36 PM

Aspen will hold humidity well if it is misted as well, all substrate is "dry" to begin with

. Aspen is far cheaper than Cypress as well. Even cheaper is Pine which is also fine to use as substrate as long as its not fresh & none of the stuff available ever is

I know people who have used pine with no isssues successfully for decades. Cedar is definitely a no no though, it is a natural "pesticide" afterall. Mark