Substrate Recommendations/Feeding On Substrate

I'm sure this question has been asked countless times on this site before, but I thought I would ask again. What type of substrate do you like/use for your ball pythons and do you feed your snakes on the substrate?

I currently use ZooMeds reptile aspen shavings and I've been moving my snakes to empty tubs during feedings. I didn't want to run the risk of my snakes swallowing the shavings while they ate but I'm seeing a lot evidence that moving a snake to a different tub to feed can cause problems with feeding behavior. I've been using this method for about a year and a half and my snakes eat about 95% of the time. I want to do what's best for my snakes so I'm here asking other snake owners.

I've always fed on substrate. I've used eco earth, reptibark, cypress mulch from the hardware store, and currently (best imo) is reptile prime (both the normal and fine, though I prefer the normal).

I find very little sticks if you're heating with a blow dryer after they thaw (and I thaw in water) and the amount that does is so small as to be negligible; plus coco fiber tends to be known for being easily digestible, as far as I remember hesring.

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I'm a Reptile Prime user and have no issues with feeding on it.

The best substrate is the one that for for you and your particular case.

If you live in a humid area you will want to have a substrate such as aspen or newspaper, if you live in a dry area you will want a substrate that will hold humidity better such as coco cheap or finer similar product.

I have used them all and have fed my animals in their enclosure regardless of their substrate without issue.

I just use brown craft paper in my 4 tub rack system. It's cheap and the clean up is a breeze. My humidity stays between 55-60% just using small water bowls


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I feed mine on Forest Floor cypress mulch and I can relate to the anxiety about the snake swallowing substrate--some cypress mulch pieces are pretty big and sharp. You can try putting down a piece of cardboard or a lid over the substrate before feeding and feed the snake on top of that which will reduce the chances and the amount of substrate that gets on the food. Snakes do drag their prey around sometimes though so this isn't always 100% effective.

All of my snakes except my hognose get a mix of Eco Earth and Repti bark. I live in MA and it can get pretty dry so it helps with humidity. My hognose is a burrower and doesn't require high humidity, so he gets aspen.

All of my snakes are fed in their enclosures on the substrate.

My favorite for both of my guys (ball python and blood python) is a blend of cypress mulch and eco earth. I use Forest Floor cypress mulch and the Eco Earth that comes in bricks. I get the Eco Earth in 3 brick bundles for about $9 or something like that. Anyway, it holds humidity pretty well. I normally use about 60% cypress mulch to 40% Eco Earth, and I love it. Its really soft, and my Blood is constantly burrowing in it.

I have all mine on Orchid / Repti bark as it looks great , showcases their colours and holds as much or as little humidity as possible.


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