bedding??

[Jay633]

whats better? aspen or the coconut fiber?? everytime it come for my ball-python to shed, pieces get stuck to him even if everyday i spray water in there and add a second water dish, he has a pretty big one too

[Docile1]

whats better? aspen or the coconut fiber?? everytime it come for my ball-python to shed, pieces get stuck to him even if everyday i spray water in there and add a second water dish, he has a pretty big one too

I don't have any experience with aspen, but i can tell you that coconut definitely holds moisture very well. Sounds like you're doing a good job to try to increase humidity. If you don't already have a hygrometer (humidity gauge) you might want to get a digital model and maintain 60%-65% during shed and about 55% humidity at all other times.

I keep my bp in a sterilite enclosure with enough holes along the edges for good air circulation, but not too many that it dries out too fast. I found glass aquariums with screen tops are too difficult to heat and maintain the proper humidity consistently without constant spraying and temperature adjustments. It's worth mentioning that I also use paper towels as a substrate so I can feed her in her enclosure without worrying about her ingesting any wood along with her meal.

Here's something that has worked really well ... I made a humidity box by packing coconut bark into a small tupperware-type container that has lots of holes drilled into the lid for excellent ventilation so the humidity can evaporate out of the box easily and into the enclosure. During shed I fill the humidity box with water and soak the coconut bark for a minute or two, drain, shake out excess water and replace the box in her enclosure ... and voila, the humidity hovers around 65% for almost a week! When she's not in shed, rather than drenching and soaking the coconut bark, I just sprinkle in a little water, and shake out any excess and it keeps humidity about 55% for about a week. So there you have it ... consistent proper humidity levels with minimal amount of work.

If your bp is still having incomplete sheds after you've made certain the humidity is consistently correct and your bp had something rough to rub up against to help remove its skin during shed, make sure you consult with others at this site who may have some more experience and knowledge and can help recommend tried and true advice. You may also want to check out www.rickysreptileenclosures.com resources section on humidity and shedding for more info. Hope this helps.

[Skittles1101]

I have had the pleasure to use both. I swore by coconut fiber because it holds moisture well and does great with humidity, but I found it hard to spot clean any pee because it just soaks right in. I recently switched to aspen, my only beef with that is it does not hold humidity as well. But, it seems easier to spot clean as opposed to the coco fiber. The aspen also lets heat through better than the coco fiber. It does wonders in my tubs. My temps with the cocofiber are too low above the coco and too hot below, but with the aspen I can lower my temps and the heat above is just right and not too hot below. Just my two cents

[dkoehl26]

Me personally I like to use Zoo Meds Reptie Bark. It holds in moisture very well. Although a little on the expensive side but all my reptiles are treated like my daughter lol. Try not to use nothing but the best.

[Wh00h0069]

Cypress mulch.

[Skiploder]

whats better? aspen or the coconut fiber?? everytime it come for my ball-python to shed, pieces get stuck to him even if everyday i spray water in there and add a second water dish, he has a pretty big one too

I would measure humidity in his enclosure.

If it's in within an acceptable range and he's still having issues shedding, maybe humidity isn't the issue.

If you keep aspen too wet, it will mold. If you keep the entire environment to damp, you are courting bacterial issues, in fact keeping any substrate extremely damp can result in other, more serious health issues.

Instead of trying to raise the humidity in the entire enclosure, look into providing a humid hide. You can buy sphagnum moss cheaply in many nurseries/home improvement stores. Soak it, wring it out and put it in the humid hide.

It beats dealing with many of the issues associated with trying to up humidity in the entire enclosure.

[Jay633]

thanks for al the replys they are very helpful. i will try switching between different substrates and hopefully i find a solutiion. als o Does it hurt a ball python when they shed? or help them shed in example soak them in water then peel off the shed skin?

[Skiploder]

thanks for al the replys they are very helpful. i will try switching between different substrates and hopefully i find a solutiion. als o Does it hurt a ball python when they shed? or help them shed in example soak them in water then peel off the shed skin?

Buy a sterilite or rubbermaid box large enough for your ball python to cram into.

Cut a hole in the side or the lid.

Buy some pure sphagnum moss from a nursery and soak it in water. Wring it out and stuff it into the hide. Place the hide partially on the hot spot and partially out of it.

In the meantime, any soaking or picking you will do to the snake will only stress it out. If the above sounds like too much work, soak a pillowcase in tepid water and wring it out.

Put your snake in the pillowcase in its enclosure and let it work the rest of the stuck shed off.

Trying to fix your humidity problems with substrate is a lot of work and if improperly done can result in other health issues. Providing a humid retreat is much easier.

[kitedemon]

Skip as usual has great advise there. I would actually say not to soak a shedding snake. Between the skin to be shed and the new skin is a layer of a lubricant it is why a the fresh shed is damp and smells a bit. As with all body excretions it is water soluble and a soak will wash it away and can make the shed more difficult to get off. A humid hide is a great thing easy and cheap.

[youbeyouibei]

whats better? aspen or the coconut fiber?? everytime it come for my ball-python to shed, pieces get stuck to him even if everyday i spray water in there and add a second water dish, he has a pretty big one too

I currently have aspen in both of my 40 gallon bp tanks & it's terrible for retaining moisture! I had a large bag that I purchased to use with my corn & am using it up before I switch over to cypress or coconut. I'm in the same boat as you mentioned, in that I spray the tank daily, have a large (approx. a gallon size) water dish AND a humidifier running in the room & the best I can get is 50-60%.

With all that, I wouldn't recommend aspen, lol! Good luck & hopefully you get some good input to your question.