Is a substrate really necessary?

Hi all, I'm new on this forum and in this hobby :)

I know there are a lot of threads about the best substrates to use for ball pythons.
But my question is: is it really a necessity for ball pythons to live on some sort of substrate?

Maybe a bedding would mimick their natural habitat, but would the snakes be that uncomfortable on bare plastic (in a RUB, for example) or worse, would they
become sick (I don't know how a lack of substrate could ever cause disease)?

I tried looking for an answer on the web but I didn't find any info.
So I tried to think of some potential reasons why it could be bad husbandry :
1- Lets suppose that I put my bp in a RUB without substrate. IF I use a bowl that is easily tipped over, when that happens there is nothing to absorb the water, so the snake will get soaked (unless it has somewhere to go). Using a proper bowl would solve this problem though.
2- I guess some substrates help to keep humidity on a certain level, but if one has a tub in which just having a water bowl keeps the humidity fairly constant... then it should not be a problem either.

Can any of you think of other reasons why one shouldn't do this...
or does it sound totally ok to you to house a bp on just smooth plastic surface?
any experience?

Thanks!


btw I'm asking out of curiosity. I'm not actually that cheap not to provide some newspaper to my snakes!

Why would you want to is a better question? What is your reasoning for not using anything as a substrate? Would you want to spend 24/7 on bare plastic?

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Q: Is a substrate really necessary?
A: No

You could keep a bp in a tub with no substrate and it would probably live a long life with proper attention. Would it be the best life? I don't think so. Will it be extra work for you? Yes. You would have to clean up messes as they happen as there wouldn't be anything to absorb it. I would think you'd run a higher risk of scale rot as well. Depending on the type of rack or enclosure, you may have problems getting them to feed consistently. Substrate, even newspaper, gives them something to burrow around in and it helps to make them feel secure.

I actually don't see anything wrong with not using a substrate. Not that I'd ever go that route. For those that use paper towels or newspaper, do your balls really burrow in it? I gave paper towels a shot, didn't really care for them. I've never used newspaper, but I would think the absorption capacity wouldn't be all that great... I don't see a huge difference between bare plastic and a layer of newspaper.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MootWorm

I actually don't see anything wrong with not using a substrate. Not that I'd ever go that route. For those that use paper towels or newspaper, do your balls really burrow in it? I gave paper towels a shot, didn't really care for them. I've never used newspaper, but I would think the absorption capacity wouldn't be all that great... I don't see a huge difference between bare plastic and a layer of newspaper.

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I use newspaper and they burrow around in it, tear it up, wad it into corners, drag it into their water bowls...pretty much everything but make origami with it...it also does absorb some water/pee, but I use Sterilite tubs and they have little channels around the "perimeter", for lack of a better word, and most ends up in there...

Not using paper at the very least would be such a hassle. You would have to take them out and hose down the tubs every time the snake poos or pees. That's way too much work for me.

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In my case even with the paper towels they seem to almost intentionally shove them out of the way so they can go directly on the tub surface. Guess if I was to answer the survey it would be to say that the snake need substrate less than we need them to have it. It's nice to occasionally have a tub that doesn't require a total washdown when they mess it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sho220

Q: Is a substrate really necessary?
A: No

You could keep a bp in a tub with no substrate and it would probably live a long life with proper attention. Would it be the best life? I don't think so. Will it be extra work for you? Yes. You would have to clean up messes as they happen as there wouldn't be anything to absorb it. I would think you'd run a higher risk of scale rot as well. Depending on the type of rack or enclosure, you may have problems getting them to feed consistently. Substrate, even newspaper, gives them something to burrow around in and it helps to make them feel secure.

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:number1: X2.

Not the same but my friend decided to go the route of no bedding and/or litter in his ferret cage. Bathed the poor thing everyday instead because nothing was there to absorb the pee. Ended up giving the ferret to me after 6 months

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We confine these animals to small spaces and they don't have the option to crawl away from their poop/pee. The least you can do is put something moderately absorbent in with them to ensure they aren't swimming in it. I'm pretty sure sitting directly in it would lead to skin problems and make the snake's body a filthy place where nasty micro-organisms could multiply.