A little help

[Mindgamejunkie17]

I own a full grown BP (Kaa- from the Jungle Book). I normally use the Aspen bedding from the local Petco, but due to losing my job a while back im low on cash and ran out. I put newspaper down for the time being, and absolutely hate the way it looks. Is it possible to use just regular dirt, grass, or anything to substitute?

Also, he has shed twice since I got him in late June. The first one was horrible and didn't come off in one piece, but after some research by the time he shed again it all came off together...except for the head. Once his belly turns pinkish and I know hes about to start the process I start soaking him in bathtub for about 20 minutes or so every other day to make i easier on him, but he hates water. I've never seen him soak once in his cage, and never seen him move so fast to get out of the tub. What can I do so this doesn't happen again. Any tips or help would be greatly appreciated.

[wolfy-hound]

It would help if you posted his set-up.

Without additional details, I'd suggest you make him a humid hide, and not soak him so much. With a enclosed hide(tupperware with an entrance cut into it) filled with moist(not wet) moss, he can be properly humid without having to stress him out and oversoak him.

I would NOT suggest using any dirts, grass, etc in his enclosure. You can't be certain that they don't contain contaminants like pesticides, fertilizers, or other detrimental chemicals. Even if that particular spot isn't normally sprayed, any nearby spraying can drift to contaminate that "clean area" as well. Also, there could be insects or other harmful creatures or fungus in it.

Newspaper isn't very pretty maybe, but it is fairly safe. Could you put down the paper and then put the hides and water dish in, then scatter a small amount of aspen to cover the exposed newspaper? That way your aspen would go a long way, but still look nice. Use some fake vines(cheap at the dollar store, but clean them before using), to futher hide the newspaper areas. The more "clutter" in the tank, the more secure the snake will feel anyway. If it helps to hide the newspaper, hey, that's good for you too! Win-win.

I hope this helps. If you can, post a pic of the enclosure and I'm sure you'll get mroe suggestions.

[steveboos]

Yeah a picture of the enclosure would really help. Honestly even though it doesn't look nice, newspaper is some of the safest and cheapest stuff to use. You can even use paper towels if you really think that newspaper looks bad but aspen is too expensive.

NEVER use anything from outdoors unless you personally sanitized it or thoroughly disinfected it very well. The bacteria and parasite can kill almost any animal.

[Mindgamejunkie17]

My camera is not cooperating with me right now but I have:

-55 gallon tank
-2 rock hides (from petco) on both sides
-a big tupperware dish (changed daily) right in the middle
-ugly ass fake tree that came with him from the last owner. He seems to favor that during shedding.
-Wooden log hanging above his water dish (sterilized)
-Zoo-med digital therm. with probe
-Petco humidity gauge

It has a mesh top that I use a damp towel to keep the humidity up. I fold the towel so there is ventilation on both ends. I have a zoo med heating pad that came from the previous owner but it says on the pad not to use it if there is discoloration. I used it for a while but it burnt the bejeebus out of my table so I took it out.