Substrate options?

I've been using paper towels for all my racks, and I am really fed up with those by now. The snakes always do their business under the towels, I can't spot clean, it looks terrible and the towels always end up wrinkled and torn in one corner. Plus, I don't like throwing away all this paper. I need to find a better option.

I've been looking at aspen as a different idea. The snakes would probably enjoy burrowing in it, and I'd be able to spot clean. I also wouldn't have to be guilty of throwing away so many paper towels. However, I've heard it gets moldy when wet and is awful for humidity.

Cypress mulch also seems like a viable idea, but I use it for one of my girls, and I don't like it very much... She's very good at getting it in her water. I do like how well it controls humidity if needed, but I'm not sure I'd like to use it for all of my snakes.

What are some other options? I'd like something that I can buy in bulk that isn't too expensive. Also, it has to be something that is unlikely to get in the water dish every single day.

I have been asking this exact question for a long time now. Aspen really does just fine in my opinion. Pretty much any loose substrate like aspen, coconut, cypress etc, will get into the water, especially if it is wet and sticks to the snake as he/she moves over the bowl. It is pretty much unavoidable. Aspen (where I live) is literally impossible to find in bulk so for me it is stupid expensive so I am one of those paper wasters and use unprinted news paper as it is super cheap, but if I could get bulk (or cheap(er)) aspen that is the way I would go.

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Originally Posted by BCS

I have been asking this exact question for a long time now. Aspen really does just fine in my opinion. Pretty much any loose substrate like aspen, coconut, cypress etc, will get into the water, especially if it is wet and sticks to the snake as he/she moves over the bowl. It is pretty much unavoidable. Aspen (where I live) is literally impossible to find in bulk so for me it is stupid expensive so I am one of those paper wasters and use unprinted news paper as it is super cheap, but if I could get bulk (or cheap(er)) aspen that is the way I would go.

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I'm really leaning towards aspen... I use it for one of my snakes in a T8 and I like it better than towels. She rarely gets it in the water dish, just once every few days. There are a few downsides, though... still thinking.

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Originally Posted by Penultimate

I'm really leaning towards aspen... I use it for one of my snakes in a T8 and I like it better than towels. She rarely gets it in the water dish, just once every few days. There are a few downsides, though... still thinking.

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I have heard about the mold thing too but honestly I have sprayed my corn snake's cage when she is in shed (she is the only one I use aspen for ATM) and it hasn't molded yet. I think it would mold if it got seriously drenched and feces were to be left too long. A little spray down to up humidity probably wouldn't do too much damage. Buy a little bag and do an experiment without a snake (act as though there is one by spraying, water dish, and heating) and see what happens.

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Originally Posted by BCS

I have heard about the mold thing too but honestly I have sprayed my corn snake's cage when she is in shed (she is the only one I use aspen for ATM) and it hasn't molded yet. I think it would mold if it got seriously drenched and feces were to be left too long. A little spray down to up humidity probably wouldn't do too much damage. Buy a little bag and do an experiment without a snake (act as though there is one by spraying, water dish, and heating) and see what happens.

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That sounds like a good idea. I don't normally spray cages for shedding, I've always just added an extra water dish and been fine. I think I'll give this a try and see how it goes.

You might want to try the green and brown liners like they sell at Petco. They can be spot cleaned or taken out and cleaned and disinfected, dried, and put back in. You could try it in one or two and see how you like it first. I liked it a lot but thought the eco-earth looked a little cooler for my terrarium. But with racks looks aren't as important as how it works for you, correct? What do others think about liners?

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Originally Posted by ballpythonsrock2

You might want to try the green and brown liners like they sell at Petco. They can be spot cleaned or taken out and cleaned and disinfected, dried, and put back in. You could try it in one or two and see how you like it first. I liked it a lot but thought the eco-earth looked a little cooler for my terrarium. But with racks looks aren't as important as how it works for you, correct? What do others think about liners?

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The liners might be ok for just one or two ball pythons, but I think I'd like something else seeing as my collection is getting pretty large.

I fine mist also to raise humidity. I have a bowl of moss I rotate and mist. I mists the substrate a little, the hide tubs tops and the plants. I got a little clear bottle sprayer for a dollar at Dollar General. I add reptisafe to the water in case the snake would lick it.

Aspen is a good choice but pine is cheaper ;)

Also you don't need to worry about mold as long as you don't go weeks without cleaning. I deep clean once a week, and spot clean daily. Never had a mold issue. I've used both aspen and pine.

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I have tried a couple shredded woods and always find myself back at good old paper towels.
Just easier to deal with for me.