Can i use sand?

[TardGirl]

I have a california banded kingsnake, And i am using reptile sand from the pet store in his cage. I read somewere that it could be bad for his health is this true? Can it cause any problems for him?

[Zoe]

I'm not sure what problems it might cause, except it might dry him out or irritate his skin.
I would suggest you keep him on newspaper/papertowel or cypress mulch.

Zoe

[Vanan]

Fine substrate and/or playsand can irritate or get into the nasal passages and cloaca of snakes.

Go with Zoe's suggestions. Either newspaper/paper towels or wood shaving (Not cedar!). Good luck!

Vanan

[Ace]

A fine grain sand can also be ingested with tongue flicking. Which can cause impaction. Best to use one of the substrates listed above

[Lisa]

I've considered switching to T-Rex calci sand for our prairie king, specially since Bob Applegate uses it and has no problem with it. Mind you Bob has a few unorthidox methods such as keeping his kingsnakes in 1.4 groups (apparently they're not canabilistic if they're well fed)

The main reason I'm considering switching is because I would like a desert look for him (it's kind of the theme we have for that tank) and a secondary reason would be it's easy to clean (like kitty litter).

As for impaction or irritation, it can happen with wood shavings, as they tend to have a fine dust. Bob has assured me that moisture isn't a problem either, how ever you do need to wash the stuff before using it.

[TardGirl]

Thanks for all help everyone, You gave me alot to think about

[Stockwell]

Applegate isn't the only one. I used sand for well over a decade for specific species, namely Mexicanas(Grey banded kings, thayeri and greeri.) I've also used it with Subocs(transpecos rats) and lots of Eryx (sand boas) and Lichanurans (Rosy boas)
I never had any trouble with impaction,and consider that not a concern. It usually passes in snakes with no trouble.
However, I no longer use sand with ANY snake. It's just too damn heavy and tracks all over the house, because the sand tends to stick to the serpents, and ends up on the snake room floor. It's pretty hard on rack systems too(the weight and abrassion).
It's best to use one of the other products. Newspaper, Carefresh, or the small refined wood substrates...Shredded aspen, Alpha chip, Beta chip..etc.
If you only have the one snake, sand is probably OK.. It has one big benefit and that is, At least you can clean it with a seive, and thats why I continue to use it with geckos and skinks

[Tinytim12333]

OMG someone knows about carefresh. lol.

[Stockwell]

Yeah, not bad for an old fart eh? I've never used it myself however, but I'm aware that many people are.
There is no perfect substrate. There is some problem with every one and here is a summary
Sand- too heavy,& scratches eye caps

Shavings- can cause impaction and get in water bowls and clog drains, but cheap and popular despite the dangers

Western landscape Bark chips..pretty good,I used them for many years, but is kept outside at garden centers and full of flies..also expensive

Newspaper.. Some good qualities..sterile, FREE
but looks like hell and snakes usually go under it and sit in their own mess..Can't be spot cleaned, and provides poor locomotion exercise, too flat

Beta and Alpha chip by Nepco..My current substrates for all serpents..Pretty good, but Beta chip stains water bowls and moulds rapidly(not for moist rainforest species). Trying Alpha chip now..lighter in weight, same low price as Beta , doesn't stain, but a bit too light weight and flys into the water bowl alot
Peat Moss...Great for moisuture loving species..Bloods, Brazilians, Anacondas etc..cheap, easy to spot clean, holds moisture, is acidic and resists mould and bacteria growth. No ingestion worries but very dusty if dry..

Astro turf...poor..looks great(at first) but is hard to clean and not very absorbent. Must be scrubbed down in the bath tub, then it starts to fall apart...just not practicle

Carefresh..pretty good(so I hear) but doesn't look very good. Good absorbency..Pet trade retail product, a bit too expensive for large collections
(it may come in a bulk size but I'm not sure)

[Emily-Fisher]

Skip the sand...too expensive and dangerous. Go with newspaper or papertowels.

[TardGirl]

Thanks everyone

[Solid Snake]

i hate to use news paper! only to check the feces is ok, but to leave it in its cage and to look at it, awck. i like bark or aspen.

[djc3674]

I agree..newspaper doesnt look nice..but I use it anyway..very easy to clean. My snake poop is pretty big and he pees a ton..nothing like bunching it all up and throwing it out.

In response to stockwell...they shouldnt be sitting in there own mess..cause as soon as they go..your supposed to clean it..who would leave there feces/urine in there for any amount of time. As soon as I see it..it gets cleaned out..and the whole tank gets scrubbed. After my snake goes, I always see him all the way on the other side of the tank, he doesnt go near it. As far as exercise goes....thats what climbing branches are for! I thought about using a mulch..but havent tried it yet. Anyone have recommendations as far as what to use..and whats the easiest to clean?

ah..i see Zoe recommended cypress mulch...is it a pain in the butt to clean? *wondering if i should try it or just stick w/ the newspaper*

[Solid Snake]

i used to use Trex sand, it looks so cool when the snakes move around it but after awhile it sticks on to them and its really dry. I dont use it, i just use aspen or bark.

[Weather1]

Tinytim12333. I have used Carefresh for a long time. All my snakes love it,

I recommend it to everyone.