Switching Milk Snake to Paper Towels?

Cricket1234 · 04-10-17, 04:03 PM

I was pondering switching my Pueblan Milk Snake to paper towel as his substrate, because the aspen that I have him on doesn't hold humidity well, and is a total hassle to clean up waste. I understand it's not natural, I was just thinking of doing it for a few months before I can get something else. What are your guys opinions? Thanks!

sattva · 04-10-17, 04:50 PM

I have all my guys on paper towels, but they suck up the moisture, but that's what makes it an easy clean up job also...

**Andy_G** · 04-10-17, 04:53 PM

Paper towel isn't going to be better for humidity, so if that's your sole reason for the switch, I would advise against it personally. They love to burrow and it's so much easier to spot clean a loose substrate. Perhaps consider switching to coco husk or cypress mulch...something that will hold humidity better...as well as figuring out exactly why your setup isn't holding humidity.

Magdalen · 04-11-17, 12:23 PM

Yeah the paper towels won't hold humidity well at all. They tend to dry out fast. I keep my dessert loving herps on paper towels

I live in a dry area anyway.

dannybgoode · 04-11-17, 12:43 PM

Coco coir is excellent and very easy to control humidity with. I mix it with top soil in varying proportions n species to get just the substrate I want.

I only use paper towel when a snake is in quarantine as feacies etc are easier to examine but I quickly move them onto something more nautral.

Cricket1234 · 04-11-17, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magdalen

Yeah the paper towels won't hold humidity well at all. They tend to dry out fast. I keep my dessert loving herps on paper towels

I live in a dry area anyway.

I don't know why I thought they held humidity. Would repti carpet be good? Like I said, this'll only be temporary

Cricket1234 · 04-11-17, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannybgoode

Coco coir is excellent and very easy to control humidity with. I mix it with top soil in varying proportions n species to get just the substrate I want.

I only use paper towel when a snake is in quarantine as feacies etc are easier to examine but I quickly move them onto something more nautral.

I have very few pet stores in my area, and none of them carry coco choir.

regi375 · 04-11-17, 11:15 PM

I use eco-earth for a few of my snakes. It'll hold in the humidity well, and is common enough for a local pet shop to have.

dannybgoode · 04-12-17, 12:14 AM

Garden centers as well may well stock coco coir. I'm not a fan of repti carpet. Unhygenic imo unless changed very regularly and then it proves expensive.

Magdalen · 04-12-17, 02:20 PM

Eco earth, coco coir, soil, etc are really your best ideas for getting humidity up. As for the carpet no. I think that getting wet would just harbor more bacteria. But yeah danny, my little guy I got a month ago is on paper towel mainly because of quarantine and until he gets bigger. Then I'll decide what I want to put him on.

Cricket1234 · 04-13-17, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magdalen

Eco earth, coco coir, soil, etc are really your best ideas for getting humidity up. As for the carpet no. I think that getting wet would just harbor more bacteria. But yeah danny, my little guy I got a month ago is on paper towel mainly because of quarantine and until he gets bigger. Then I'll decide what I want to put him on.

I am going to keep him on one of those. Thanks guys!