Snake Subtrate

reptilenut4sure · 07-08-07, 02:41 PM

I was wondering what is the best subtrate to use for snakes. Ive been reading around on the internet and read books. And the only clear answer I get is using newspaper for subtrate. Is there any other kind of subtrate that works good and cant hurt the animals? Ive used pine shavings, aspen, the eco earth compressed bricks of coconut. I know that cedar will kill the snakes. But heard of all the other ones giving or can give the snakes mouth rot when they eat in the cages. I will just put the list of animals I have and you can let me know what ones you think would be best for them. All of these are tame and I can handle all of them except the Tree boa.

Ball Python
Red Tail Boa Baby
Red Tail Boa Sub Adult
Yuma King Snake Baby
Amazon Tree Boa Sub Adult/Adult

The Snake Guru · 07-08-07, 02:48 PM

Pine is another substrate that has been shown to cause upper resitory issues because of the oils and saps that leach out.

I Use Aspen with almost all my snakes now and never have had issues, Others that I use are the Eco-Earth for High Humidity loving species, Repti-Bark, and Sand for the sand boas and dryer snakes.

~B~

ffollett · 07-08-07, 03:58 PM

We have used cypress, aspen, news paper, and just recently switched to care fresh.

snakelady13 · 07-08-07, 07:21 PM

I like cypress best. Your snakes are small enough that when you feed them, you can move them to a "feeding container" I never feed in the same cage they live in unless they are a large snake, like a burm or retic. I found that feeding them in separate containers also cuts down on the snakes thinking they are getting fed every time I put my hand in the cage.

reptilenut4sure · 07-08-07, 07:58 PM

Well I feed all of them in a "feeder container" except the Tree boa because he just mean as hell and you cant get with in a foot of him with out getting a wonderful greeding from him. I used the eco earth for him . Thats the only one that im really worried about. I might end up using newspaper in his if I keep on having problems with him. But other than that thanks for the info.

SerpentLust · 07-08-07, 09:29 PM

I use Aspen for all my snakes.

Herpkid101x · 07-09-07, 10:39 AM

i use aspen too

Reticsrule · 07-09-07, 08:51 PM

I used to use Repti-Bark but then tried newspaper and found that I like it much better. Sure it's not the most visually appealing substrate, but it's cheap, readily available, and easy to clean.

ohh_kristina · 07-10-07, 04:30 PM

Cypress works best for me. Also, when all else fails, a nice paper towel will do the trick!

SerpentLust · 07-11-07, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ohh_kristina

Cypress works best for me. Also, when all else fails, a nice paper towel will do the trick!

Paper Towel is my other favourite. Quarantine, Lack of Aspen, etc. Very good substrate and affordable

gonesnakee · 07-11-07, 11:59 AM

I use blue shop towels (heavy duty papertowels) for all the small stuff & Aspen or Pine for the large stuff. I know folks who have used pine for decades with zero issues. Papertowels or shop towels keep things "clinically clean" so to speak. Newspaper is a poor excuse for a substrate IMHO & does very little to absorb anything. Throw it in the recycle bin where it belongs

Not big on any of the dirt like crap they sell either, just a breeding ground for bacteria, molds & mildews unless you are continually gutting the enclosure. Mark

reptiven · 07-11-07, 01:32 PM

i think the best substrate is paper or newspaper easy and cheepest

gonesnakee · 07-11-07, 04:11 PM

It has more purpose than to just cover the bottom of the tank/enclosure. It needs to be absorbant as well to be of any usefullness, otherwise might as well not use substrate at all. Paper or newspaper are useless IMHO. When it comes to your snakes don't cheap out on something that doesn't even really work just to save a few bucks. Mark

Reticsrule · 07-11-07, 07:14 PM

Mark, you are correct in saying that newspaper doesn't absorb much, but it makes the waste very easy to remove which is my main concern. In my experience, snakes (mine at least) seem to avoid their feces/urates at all costs so I'm not worried about them getting covered in waste if it isn't absorbed.

Gerrior · 07-12-07, 05:00 PM

I use Aspen with all my snakes, and repti bark if I want to raise humidity. I find that clap drinking bowls works really well to raise humidity also. Aspen doesn't retain the water like repti Bark would there for more stable humidity levels, but I'm sure with proper monitoring and situations rebti bark would be good also, just 3 times the price.