Substrate options?

I'm looking into changing Cake's substrate, and was wondering if things like coconut husk would be appropriate? Currently he's on Aspen mulch from Petco but I'm noticing that it retains moisture in a not good way, and I'm having to change it out often because I don't want rot.. While it's very attractive and fluffy, I notice that the snake sometimes gets some of it in his mouth at mealtime, and the wet mulch around the water dish doesn't dry out. Do any of you guys use cork liners under the mulch? Anyone has Cypress? Any input helps, I'm pretty tired of Aspen.

A lot of people are switching to ReptiChip (not to be confused with ReptiBark) these days. People are crazy about the stuff. I thought about it, but my BP has been on paper towels, and I'm just changing over to Kraft indented paper. I like being able to see when there is a mess or urine and clean it up right away, and I'm okay with the look of paper in the cage.

I agree......I like paper towel because you can see the mess and get it cleaned out. I would also like to look into the kraft paper.