Substrate

I am currently using newspaper for my ball python. I am going to soon be switching to a tub for winter easier to keep temps etc. I was wondering if I could use shredded newspaper as a substrate so that he could burrow?Has anyone tried this or are there any problems in using this as a substrate?

I heard that could give them paper cuts, I don't know if its true though. Also, I don't think balls dig much. Look it up in the search, I think there was a big debate on that subject. Good luck

Mine don't burrow much at all other than the occasional one that prefers going in between layers of newspaper over his lovely hides. The only thing I can think of off hand this morning with using shredded newspaper is they are likely to shove it around and poop right on the darn tub floor which is way harder to get clean than just removing and replacing newspaper as needed.

id use paper towels over newspaper, itll suck up the pee and poop, its softer than newspaper, and you dont have to worry about paper cuts. But just plain not shredded, i think its too much effort and the snakes could care less (or atleast mine did).

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Originally Posted by jdmls88

id use paper towels over newspaper, itll suck up the pee and poop, its softer than newspaper, and you dont have to worry about paper cuts. But just plain not shredded, i think its too much effort and the snakes could care less (or atleast mine did).

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Paper towels are fine for hatchlings but I would stick with newspaper or Aspen for anything older. Paper towel doesn't tend to stay flat and if accidentally ingested during feeding, can be fatal.

Thanks guys I think I will just stick with non shredded newspaper. I appreciate the help.

I agree with Jamie, he's wicked smaat.

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Originally Posted by jdmls88

and you dont have to worry about paper cuts.

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FWIW, I've been using newsprint on and off for many years and have never gotten a paper cut.

-adam

I read Tracy Barker's new book (awesome) and they just use newspaper for substrate and hides. I've been using paper towels for years and it makes clean up a snap. Also because I live in a very dry enviroment I find I can mist the paper towels and it lays real flat in the tubs and holds moisture to up the humidity when I need to but drys out within a day so it doesn't stay too wet too long (mold ahhhh!). I never had a problem or even thought about ingestion but now i'm thinking about it. I would think newspaper could be ingested as easily?

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Originally Posted by westcoastjungle

I never had a problem or even thought about ingestion but now i'm thinking about it. I would think newspaper could be ingested as easily?

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Paper towel tends to curl up and not sit flat so in theory it would be more easy to ingest. Also, newspaper could probably be easily broken up stomach acids where paper towel doesn't break down as easily and could cause impaction.

Have you ever heard of a paper towel ingestion? I'm not trying to knock your theory, I just want to re-evaluate my situation. I've never had a problem but that doesn't mean it can't happen. It would kill me to loose a snake.