Ate yesterday, but I need to change the substrate

[AndrewM1217]

So after discovering mites, I switched my spotted python to paper towels for his substrate until the mites are 100% gone. Haven't seen anymore mites after a single treatment, but I'm waiting at least 3 weeks before switching back to cypress just to be safe.

Anyway, I fed him yesterday and he was very eager to eat. Today, I noticed that all the paper towels in his enclosure are pretty damp. I don't think its because of his water bowl evaporating, because for the first few days that I had him on paper towels they stayed dry. But I don't know how else he wouldve gotten his entire floor moist like this. Anyway, I want to get in there and change them out but it's only been like 20 hours since he ate. Generally I wait 48hrs, but I don't want to leave him sitting on moist towels for a whole extra day. I think he's calm enough that I could handle him and he wouldn't regurge, but I was just wondering if the risk of scale rot from the damp paper towels was high enough that I should bother disturbing him or if I should just let it be for a day.

[trailblazer295]

I had to pick up my BP and redo his whole cage 2hrs after him eating because I found mold at the time and rushed to the store to get new substrate. My guy was awesome and wasn't phased at all. Might depend on the individual snake but just moving him from a to b and back should be ok.

[DDW]

I honestly don't know but if you are carfull, and you are confident you can change the sub without problem, I would. I have no experience but I wish you good luck.

[Albert Clark]

I think it's too early to switch the bp back to cypress mulch! Mites need to be retreated after the initial treatment at least twice. Two weeks first then 1 month later to kill the eggs. As far as the damp paper towels, I think you had time to wait on that. 1 day is not going to give him a case of scale rot.

[Albert Clark]

Originally Posted by AndrewM1217

So after discovering mites, I switched my spotted python to paper towels for his substrate until the mites are 100% gone. Haven't seen anymore mites after a single treatment, but I'm waiting at least 3 weeks before switching back to cypress just to be safe.

Anyway, I fed him yesterday and he was very eager to eat. Today, I noticed that all the paper towels in his enclosure are pretty damp. I don't think its because of his water bowl evaporating, because for the first few days that I had him on paper towels they stayed dry. But I don't know how else he wouldve gotten his entire floor moist like this. Anyway, I want to get in there and change them out but it's only been like 20 hours since he ate. Generally I wait 48hrs, but I don't want to leave him sitting on moist towels for a whole extra day. I think he's calm enough that I could handle him and he wouldn't regurge, but I was just wondering if the risk of scale rot from the damp paper towels was high enough that I should bother disturbing him or if I should just let it be for a day.

Sorry, I meant this for your spotted python and not a bp.

[Aaron_S]

1. Re-treat for mites in a week.

2. Leave the snake alone. It will be fine for another day.