Substrates? A Quick Run Down

I write a daily blog, and someone from the forum asked me to touch on Substrates.

So I did!

And I wanted to bring it here for you all to enjoy.

Let me know what you think!, and if I missed on something.

http://heathersherpsblog.blogspot.co...s-for-bps.html

cool, thanks!

I'm kinda having a hardtime deciding which substrate I will use once I get my BP
Im pretty set on Aspen, tho, thanks for the input!

Nice Info about absorption of pieces within the hemipenal areas when You use sanichips..,. I love that substrate.. Use it for my balls and for my House Snake... Will remember to switch My female to paper towels for breeding :gj::gj::gj:

Great post, I like it :gj: I'm sure it will be very helpful for those who come across it! :)

Thanks for taking the time to put that together for those that have questions:gj:

I just recently switched from aspen to cypress mulch myself and am loving it!

Quote:

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Another con with Sanichips is that it is small enough to be ingested, but not small enough not to get embedded in the orifices of males.

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pro instead of con for this right?

I have never seen the Sanichips but I might try them now that I read your piece. I use papertowls now becuase I didnt like feeding over shedded Aspen becuase I was always worried about my snake eating chunks.
Thanks

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rgang

pro instead of con for this right?

I have never seen the Sanichips but I might try them now that I read your piece. I use papertowls now becuase I didnt like feeding over shedded Aspen becuase I was always worried about my snake eating chunks.
Thanks

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I would say the first part of that statement is a con but, the second part could be seen as a pro.

I agree with most of what you said, but I think bark is an alright substrate. It's what I use. I suppose there is a risk of ingestion, but I can't see how aspen would be any less of a risk, especially the small chips for that matter. I imagine the risk is when the snake is shoving it's mouth along the prey item, picking up substrate.
The fact is, snakes aren't lizards. The risk of impaction from subsrate isn't the same. Snakes don't pounce on pray and slash their heads around. I'd be scared to put a bearded dragon on bark because it'll pick up bark instead of crickets.
Bark is also one of the best for smell and humidity.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nachash

I agree with most of what you said, but I think bark is an alright substrate. It's what I use. I suppose there is a risk of ingestion, but I can't see how aspen would be any less of a risk, especially the small chips for that matter. I imagine the risk is when the snake is shoving it's mouth along the prey item, picking up substrate.
The fact is, snakes aren't lizards. The risk of impaction from subsrate isn't the same. Snakes don't pounce on pray and slash their heads around. I'd be scared to put a bearded dragon on bark because it'll pick up bark instead of crickets.
Bark is also one of the best for smell and humidity.

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While I agree mostly, I have had issues with bark and splinters, which I didn't bring up in the blog. I will have to go back and edit. (Edit: DONE)

Back before I was breeding, I used bark, and the belly of my snakes would turn red with all of the particulate matter that collected between the scales of the belly...

Thank you for this Heather! For now I only use unprinted newspaper in my snakes' tubs. I did use cypress mulch but my male normal would try and burrow under it and I was so afraid that he would poke his eyes out with it.