Substrates

For the past few months I have been noticing it has gotten really hard to breathe when handling my BP. My chest and throat tighten up and it can become a rather unpleasent exerience. I am allergic to most, if not all, furry animals in addition to various pollens and other airborne allergens. Although I doubted it, I couldn't help wondering if I was allergic to my BP as well. I did some research and found that although it is possible for humans to be allergic to reptlies/snakes, it is extremely unlikely. It far more likely that the individual is allergic to the substrate or something else that the BP is in contact with. I believe the case for me is the substrate. I currently use Zilla's: Jungle Mix and was thinking of switching to something else to see if my allergies go away.

I have a 20gal tank 30in long. What is your favorite substrate, and how hard/easy is it to keep the humidity up?

If you're worried about being allergic to something, I would just use paper towels. Their cheap and easy to clean. It's what I use for my ball python. For my dumerils I use aspen just because she's a burrowing snake.

Paper towels or newspaper. Paper towels, if your snake is feeding on them and ingests them, can lead to impaction and serious issues. Unlike most substrates or newspaper, I believe they have issues digesting it. If you don't like the ink of the newspaper, you can buy plain newspaper.

Snakes don't shed dander or lick themselves they way mammals do. Switch to newspaper and be sure to rinse everything that had contact with the substrate. Vaccuum the area and dust as well. WEAR A DUST MASK!! And also you can soak your snake or wipe them down before handling them too much to get the substrate dust off! Good luck :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Trackstrong83

If you're worried about being allergic to something, I would just use paper towels. Their cheap and easy to clean. It's what I use for my ball python. For my dumerils I use aspen just because she's a burrowing snake.

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Inarikins

Paper towels or newspaper. Paper towels, if your snake is feeding on them and ingests them, can lead to impaction and serious issues. Unlike most substrates or newspaper, I believe they have issues digesting it. If you don't like the ink of the newspaper, you can buy plain newspaper.

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by darkbloodwyvern

Switch to newspaper

---

How do you guys keep the humidity up with newspaper/paper towels? I would imagine that it would be difficult to keep it at the right range since evaporation is likely to happen quicker. Also I would think that after spraying, both options would get a little messy when wet.

You could switch to a tub, if your ambient room temp is warm enough. Tanks are harder to keep humidity in, especially without substrate, but it can be done.

You can switch the reptile carpet. It's thicker and better looking than paper towels, and it holds a little moisture. Also you can have damp sphagnum moss in your hides to help keep numbers up.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TheSnakeGuy

You can switch the reptile carpet. It's thicker and better looking than paper towels, and it holds a little moisture. Also you can have damp sphagnum moss in your hides to help keep numbers up.

---

I could possibly do the carpet, but not the moss. Moss was in the previous substrate I used and I'm more then likely allergic to it.

As for tubs, they aren't really an option at this point. My ambient isn't warm enough and I wouldn't be able to see her! lol

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by lX V1P3R Xl

How do you guys keep the humidity up with newspaper/paper towels? I would imagine that it would be difficult to keep it at the right range since evaporation is likely to happen quicker. Also I would think that after spraying, both options would get a little messy when wet.

---

To maintain humidity, you can do a few tricks:
1) Cover 90% of the screen top with a damp towel, taped down tin foil, or plexiglass. (Assuming you have a tank)
2) Use a larger water dish and move it over to the hot side of the cage (wider dish = larger surface area for evaporation)
3) Make a humid hide (with a damp sponge/paper towel) instead of maintaining the whole enclosure humidity. A humid hide creates a microclimate where snake can choose to to use it if he needs some extra humidity.