Pros and cons of different substrates?

kiiarah · 11-12-14, 01:19 PM

Hey everyone, I was hoping to get some opinions on the pros and cons of various bedding types for ball pythons. I am going to a reptile expo in three days and had planned to stock up on shredded aspen, which is what I have been using so far, but it occurred to me that there may be a better option out there and if so I should know before buying a bunch of something I might regret down the road. I have read quite a few substrate suggestions and they all seem to conflict at times. I know lots of people like eco-earth or coconut husk bedding, but I have also read that since it retains more humidity scale rot can be more of a risk. I don't really want to use paper towel, I guess just because it seems like a more natural type of texture would be more comfortable (this may just be me anthropomorphizing and he may not care at all). The enclosure is a 30 gallon tank and because of this I do sometimes struggle to keep humidity up. I have read on some sites that aspen is good for boosting humidity and on other sites I have read that it is very dry and terrible for keeping a high humidity. My humidity does drop as low as 50% at times so I have been misting twice a day to keep it at 60% or so, but I am concerned that next time he sheds it is going to be hard to get it as high as it needs to be. If there is a bedding I could start using that would keep humidity higher and more stable, without a risk of dampness causing rot and without the issue of bugs coming in with the bedding that would be awesome. So what would you recommend as an ideal substrate? Thanks a ton, just want to be as educated as possible before I buy a huge stock of anything.

**Aaron_S** · 11-12-14, 01:31 PM

Coco husk is your best bet for what you're looking for.

Holds humidity well. Looks good and holds humidity well.

Bug wise you MAY end up with wood mites with the substrate. You could potentially get them from any wood based substrate including aspen. They are harmless to the snakes.

The scale rot issue is a non-issue. Anyone who suggests that these substrates make for a larger concern for scale rot simply don't understand how scale rot actually occurs or works. Scale rot happens when snakes are left in damp/wet AND unsanitary conditions for prolonged periods of time. So yes it's safe to use.

kiiarah · 11-12-14, 02:32 PM

Thanks for the suggestion. The better humidity is definitely what I am looking for so that sounds good. So the scale rot issue is the combination of moisture and unsanitary conditions/bacteria, that makes sense. I know that higher humidity and higher temperatures will encourage bacteria growth, is this bedding just not wet enough to make that an issue or is there anything that has to be done to prevent bacterial growth e.g. more frequent cleanings?

**Aaron_S** · 11-12-14, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiiarah

Thanks for the suggestion. The better humidity is definitely what I am looking for so that sounds good. So the scale rot issue is the combination of moisture and unsanitary conditions/bacteria, that makes sense. I know that higher humidity and higher temperatures will encourage bacteria growth, is this bedding just not wet enough to make that an issue or is there anything that has to be done to prevent bacterial growth e.g. more frequent cleanings?

Proper maintenance.

For example, I use newspaper in my tubs. I dump the entire water dish into the tub when I notice the snakes in shed. I get perfect sheds. I clean the tubs entirely once this happens though so they don't sit in this type of condition for long.

kiiarah · 11-12-14, 02:43 PM

Perfect, the sheds are one of my main concerns. He had some issues with his last shed. It didn't come off in small pieces, which is good, but he got about 2/3 off and the last part was left on. I think it is possible that he caught the skin on something and tore it that way, but he has a bit of scale damage now where the skin stuck. I would really like to avoid this next time around and I am hoping sufficient consistent humidity is all it will take. Just curious, what do you give your snake to help it shed, as in what types of objects are in the tank for it to push against. I was reading that the bark substrate can help them shed because it is rough, but I am concerned about that because it seems that rough (potentially sharp) bark could be at best uncomfortable and at worst damaging to their belly. If you just use paper towel then your snake must not be using the substrate to rub on (or do they?) is just a branch in the tank sufficient?

**Aaron_S** · 11-12-14, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiiarah

Perfect, the sheds are one of my main concerns. He had some issues with his last shed. It didn't come off in small pieces, which is good, but he got about 2/3 off and the last part was left on. I think it is possible that he caught the skin on something and tore it that way, but he has a bit of scale damage now where the skin stuck. I would really like to avoid this next time around and I am hoping sufficient consistent humidity is all it will take. Just curious, what do you give your snake to help it shed, as in what types of objects are in the tank for it to push against. I was reading that the bark substrate can help them shed because it is rough, but I am concerned about that because it seems that rough (potentially sharp) bark could be at best uncomfortable and at worst damaging to their belly. If you just use paper towel then your snake must not be using the substrate to rub on (or do they?) is just a branch in the tank sufficient?

You're asking a lot of questions which is great! You can never ask too many.

I want you to take a deep breath though. You may be overthinking some of these things. When it comes to substrate hurting the snake, the coco husk, which are cubes for the most part, it is highly unlikely. These snakes have been surviving on their bellies for quite some time so hard substrate isn't an issue.

For shedding, do as I do and dump the water dish into the substrate. (Don't forget to re-fill!) That should aid in the shed process. It is all about husbandry when it comes to shedding.

As for the stick, that will be enough. My snakes have paper towel/newspaper in their bins and water dishes. Which happen to be smooth and round. All shed fine so a stick will be fine for yours. I suspect that mine use the aid of the side of the bins where the air holes are. They are a little rough so it can help.

kiiarah · 11-12-14, 03:31 PM

I do tend to have tons of questions. I have at least gotten to the point that when questions occur to me I don't panic about it lol, but I think it is still good to know as much as possible just in case. Dumping the water bowl is a suggestion I have heard before and sounds like it would work well, I will do that when I notice signs of a shed coming on. He has two log hides (which I plan to replace with the better plastic hides at the expo and a large climbing branch so he should have enough to rub against. Since it is a tank the sides are all smooth but the branch should suffice. Thank you for the input, slowly but surely I am gaining confidence at this whole thing. The primary reason for obsessing over the bedding is that I would love to have plenty on hand and I hear the expos are the best place to get it at a reasonable price, but I know I am likely to grab a bunch of stuff and then have second thoughts or research it later and change my mind. I figured, what if I actually figured it all out before going? Crazy idea right? :P

**Aaron_S** · 11-12-14, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiiarah

I do tend to have tons of questions. I have at least gotten to the point that when questions occur to me I don't panic about it lol, but I think it is still good to know as much as possible just in case. Dumping the water bowl is a suggestion I have heard before and sounds like it would work well, I will do that when I notice signs of a shed coming on. He has two log hides (which I plan to replace with the better plastic hides at the expo and a large climbing branch so he should have enough to rub against. Since it is a tank the sides are all smooth but the branch should suffice. Thank you for the input, slowly but surely I am gaining confidence at this whole thing. The primary reason for obsessing over the bedding is that I would love to have plenty on hand and I hear the expos are the best place to get it at a reasonable price, but I know I am likely to grab a bunch of stuff and then have second thoughts or research it later and change my mind. I figured, what if I actually figured it all out before going? Crazy idea right? :P

Crazy indeed. Expos tend to be good for stock but you can't find suppliers for that stuff usually outside of expos as well. Take a look around.

Cmwells90 · 11-12-14, 03:45 PM

Aaron is spot on, I use coco husk for most of my snakes and it holds humidity REALLY well. I just get the average humidity to about 55% and it'll sit there for a few days, then during sheds I spray a couple times and it'll bring it up to about 70% and slowly drop from there, I probably only spray about once a week to maintain the humidity. Mind you, I cover the top of my cage, because it is a screen top, by about 90% to keep the humidity from escaping too quickly, so you may wanna try that if you're not already.

kiiarah · 11-12-14, 10:21 PM

I do have most of the top covered with aluminum foil, that's one reason I think the heat lamp is contributing to the problem, it is just baking the moisture out slowly. I can get bedding at the pet store or online so finding it won't be a problem either way. If I find a good deal at the show though it would be nice to stock up, but I just didn't want to get a bunch of something unless I was confident that it would work well. So is the coco husk and eco earth the same thing? It's there any difference in brands? =)

**Aaron_S** · 11-13-14, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiiarah

I do have most of the top covered with aluminum foil, that's one reason I think the heat lamp is contributing to the problem, it is just baking the moisture out slowly. I can get bedding at the pet store or online so finding it won't be a problem either way. If I find a good deal at the show though it would be nice to stock up, but I just didn't want to get a bunch of something unless I was confident that it would work well. So is the coco husk and eco earth the same thing? It's there any difference in brands? =)

Brands I don't know. I've never cared about which brands. Two different products though. Eco earth is the fine substrate. Essentially dirt. Coco husk is coconut shell chunks I believe.

kiiarah · 11-13-14, 07:16 PM

Ok perfect, thank you so much for the advice.

I feel much more prepared now. I think I know what I am going to be looking for.