Aspen?

Herpo · 02-10-16, 03:53 AM

Hi,

So I've noticed alot of people now use aspen as a substrate for snakes. Now, I currently use Critters Crumble, a coarse coco coir substrate. Are there any pros aspen has that coco coir doesn't? Coco coir doesn't seem to retain odur too well, but apparently aspen does. Thoughts?

Cheers everyone,
Herpo

sam · 02-10-16, 06:19 AM

I'd like to know too. Ive heard aspen gets really soggy when wet, never used it though.

I use fine Critters Crumble too for my two snakes, though Ive found it's easier to feed and keep them on plain newspaper. I'll probably switch back to either Crumble or Aspen once I get a proper display enclosure going on.

**Minkness** · 02-10-16, 07:57 AM

Can't say what they have over there, but here I use 'lizard litter' which is an off brand of sanichips. The smell is lower but also, it clumps around poops and urates, making it easier to clean and it goes longer because of that.

For asthetics though, I have been using reptibark for now. It's ok.

When I get my boa I will try cypress for it's ability to hold moisture.

=)

Klaire · 02-10-16, 08:51 AM

Iv'e heard aspen can get dusty too however i don't know if that would be more of an issue for the owner or the reptile. I also use Critters Crumble, i personally love it. it holds humidity well which is essential for my girl considering she's a jungle and its coarse so when it comes to shedding it helps aid her in getting the skin of her nose quite quickly and has other great factors such as mold & mildew resistant etc etc

serpentgirl123 · 02-10-16, 09:30 AM

I have tried both Aspen and Critters Crumble and I have to personally say that I prefer Aspen over the Critters Crumble, but I don't use either any more.

The Aspen was great, but I got tired of pulling pieces of aspen from my snakes' mouths when they ate (didn't matter if I had put a paper plate down/paper--still managed to get a few pieces lodged in their mouth). I also got tired of pulling them out to feed, had more than a few feeder response bites with that lol.

With the Critter Crumble, I found it way too dusty (even with trying to keep it wet) as did my snakes. I had several scares of what I thought was an RI because I heard few sneezes and heavy breathing/almost cough like from them. Took them all to the vet and nothing suggested an RI and after I pulled them off the substrate, the sneezing/breathing stopped. It had irritated their airways and took months to get them all back to normal. That was after only using it for a few weeks.

But I think every snake is different and mine aren't "meant" for either of those substrates. IMO all substrates have pros and cons and one has to figure it out for themselves and their animals. Mine are on unprinted newspaper and paper towels until something more suitable for them and their health comes along.

Jim Smith · 02-10-16, 10:37 AM

I used Aspen for a couple of years with no major problems except when bits of it got spread across the carpet, I would get splinters in my bare feet

I switched over to SaniChips and I like it MUCH better. Less dust and as mentioned already, it clumps around poops and urates which makes spot cleaning a breeze. If you buy the SaniChips in bulk Native Earth Aspen Sani Chips 2.2 Cubic Foot Bedding | Pet 360 you can get it fairly reasonably priced. I believe they still offer free shipping on orders over $50

jpsteele80 · 02-10-16, 11:32 AM

I have used aspen before, personally I think it depends on what size cage you are using it for. No way I'm buying aspen for a 6x3x2 cage it's just to much area to cover, newspaper is cheap and easy but when I did use it for smaller cages I had no problems with it, just had to let the dust settle for a bit.

Herpo · 02-10-16, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by serpentgirl123

I have tried both Aspen and Critters Crumble and I have to personally say that I prefer Aspen over the Critters Crumble, but I don't use either any more.

The Aspen was great, but I got tired of pulling pieces of aspen from my snakes' mouths when they ate (didn't matter if I had put a paper plate down/paper--still managed to get a few pieces lodged in their mouth). I also got tired of pulling them out to feed, had more than a few feeder response bites with that lol.

With the Critter Crumble, I found it way too dusty (even with trying to keep it wet) as did my snakes. I had several scares of what I thought was an RI because I heard few sneezes and heavy breathing/almost cough like from them. Took them all to the vet and nothing suggested an RI and after I pulled them off the substrate, the sneezing/breathing stopped. It had irritated their airways and took months to get them all back to normal. That was after only using it for a few weeks.

But I think every snake is different and mine aren't "meant" for either of those substrates. IMO all substrates have pros and cons and one has to figure it out for themselves and their animals. Mine are on unprinted newspaper and paper towels until something more suitable for them and their health comes along.

OK, now I'm paranoid. Is it normal for me to hear my snake breathing. Well, more inhaling. Every now and then, he breathes in and you can hear it, much like if you inhaled with a blocked nose.

Thanks everyone for your replies, looking forward to hearing more,
Cheers,
Herpo

jpsteele80 · 02-10-16, 01:44 PM

What kind of snake is it? I hear my retics breath all the time not uncommon with a big snake

**Minkness** · 02-10-16, 01:48 PM

I believe Herpo has a carpet. I understand that some carpets have a naturally loud breath, especially if moving around or unsettled.

Herpo · 02-10-16, 02:09 PM

OK cool. Yeah Mink, I have a Carpet. Good to hear its normal.

serpentgirl123 · 02-10-16, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herpo

OK, now I'm paranoid. Is it normal for me to hear my snake breathing. Well, more inhaling. Every now and then, he breathes in and you can hear it, much like if you inhaled with a blocked nose.

Thanks everyone for your replies, looking forward to hearing more,
Cheers,
Herpo

I didn't mean to make you paranoid. I am so sorry about that

. I hear my snakes breathe all the time (big and small)--I have carpets, boas, hognoses, and kingsnakes.

I have had most of them for a while, so I know their "normal" behavior and breathing sounds (some are louder, some you have to put right near your ear--though they might nip you lol).

What was going on when they inhaled the dust from the substrate, was not normal for them. I could tell they were struggling to breathe--like I would be if I there was a lot of dust in the air. That struggling was virtually eliminated within a few days of putting them back on paper towels/newspaper.

sam · 02-10-16, 06:58 PM

I'd like to see eucalyptus bark or something, thats what most carpet pythons would be spending most of its time on in the wild. I wonder why nobody makes it?

**Minkness** · 02-10-16, 07:00 PM

Probably because in reality it's like ceder or pine and toxic. Being in a eucalyptus tree is very different than being on wood chips of it.

REM955 · 02-10-16, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Smith

I used Aspen for a couple of years with no major problems except when bits of it got spread across the carpet, I would get splinters in my bare feet

I switched over to SaniChips and I like it MUCH better. Less dust and as mentioned already, it clumps around poops and urates which makes spot cleaning a breeze. If you buy the SaniChips in bulk Native Earth Aspen Sani Chips 2.2 Cubic Foot Bedding | Pet 360 you can get it fairly reasonably priced. I believe they still offer free shipping on orders over $50

Good stuff. Been looking around and couldn't find a deal that beats this.
Thanks.