simple substrate question

this may be used and abused for a question but what is the difference between the rodent aspen and snake aspen? all iv noticed is the price difference and the rat aspen is a it finer... i get 4 times as much rodent aspen as i do snake aspen for the same price? i have 2 pet rats so its also more convenient?

idk, is there any health concerns or differences in the 2 i should know about?

thanks, Gabe

I don't think there's a difference, except for rodents absorbtion is desired, snakes there is humidity..but you can use woodchips in a rat cage and aspen in a rat cage,, same difference, except for maintnance of the humidity.:oops:

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Originally Posted by Capray

I don't think there's a difference, except for rodents absorbtion is desired, snakes there is humidity..but you can use woodchips in a rat cage and aspen in a rat cage,, same difference, except for maintnance of the humidity.:oops:

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Well sounds to me that its perfect lol, I live right on the water in northwest florida so humidity is actually a problem haha!

Rodent shavings are sometimes dustier, and they are often chipped somewhat differently.

As long as it is actual aspen, if you mist it down lightly before putting the snake in, it should work just fine!

-Jen

I just use rodent aspen that I get at Walmart. I can pay $3 a bag and I have to pay $8+ for snake aspen which is just a more fine shavings. All I do is pick through the aspen and pull out the jagged wood chips. There usually isn't many, but I don't want them poking my snakes. I've also found very large bales (like the size of horse shavings) for about $8 or so. I'll be switching to those soon.

I buy the el-cheapo bag from WalMart says "for all pets" and it works just fine. There are some larger chips now and then but those are easy to spot and pick out.

I'm is FL as well.

I find that in a rack the aspen really holds the humidity.... almost too well. Indoor RH is 50% with ambient temp of 82F. With just a fine layer of aspen in the tubs, the heat at 92F hot side right when the thermostat kicks off (hottest temp) with water bowl on the cold side my RH in the tubs is 80%!!! Good for a shed, but not everyday probably. I opened up four 1/2" holes on each side of the tubs and two 1/2" holes in the back of each tub and now my RH in the tubs is 65%. It took a little tinkering. Paper towels or newspaper does not seem to require the holes as I have a few tubs with paper and they sit at 60% with no holes.