Repti Bark causing red belly

[Scott9000]

I've always used reptile carpet but wanted something that looked a little more natural, so today I changed Kings substrate to zoomed repti bark.

Well after a about four hours of him laying in his hide I picked him up and his belly looks a little reddish/pinkish in color, also when I was putting the repti bark in I got a small sliver from it.

Can this stuff irratate their bottom? I'm a little worried and thinking about throwing this stuff out and going back to reptile carpet. Its nice to have a cool looking terriam but I don't want to sacrifice his health or comfort in anyway just because it looks better.

Does it take time to get used to a new substrate?

[king216]

He's probably about to shed. Can u post pics?

[GoBoilers]

Could be irritating...could also be the natural dyes in the bark rubbing off onto his belly. If I were you, I'd get rid of it to be on the safe side and use cypress if you want more natural look!

[midtx350z]

He's probably about to shed. Can u post pics?

+1

When my snakes are about to shed, their bellies will turn reddish/pinkish if they are on reptibark. I assume its the dust getting in between their skin/scales.

[Scott9000]

These are some crappy pictures but you get the idea. And it has been awhile since he last shed but still after getting that small sliver its making me wonder how comfortable he is.

[Scott9000]

This is my tank setup. The repti bark was just put in last night.

[Kaorte]

Well, the pictures are kind of bad but I am just going to assume its the start of a shed cycle since I have never heard of reptibark irritating a ball pythons rather tough scales.

That being said, cypress mulch is a good alternative. It is my opinion that reptile carpet is not a suitable substrate for ball pythons since when they defecate it is usually enormous making it a pain to clean. I prefer disposable substrates like paper towels, newspaper or aspen. The carpet just gets stinky after a while and if it stinks, then bacteria is growing.

[Patrick Long]

Or it could be red dust from the RED bark......


Just sayin....Repi-bark is pretty powdery stuff.

[Scott9000]

I decided to just throw out the repti bark and go back to the carpet, he seems to like it alot better, with the bark he kept moving from one hide to other as though he couldn't get comfortable.

As for cleaning the carpet I use antibacterial soup and zoomed wipeout 2 and after being used 5 to 6 times I throw it out and buy more. Overall it probably costs just as much as most loose substrates maybe even a little cheaper.