breeding substrate

added recently to my collection and the breeding females were simply on paper with water bowl, no hide, back heat.. i normally use shavings, but was told the males were getting it stuck in their vents as breeding. so wondering what to do here, i've seen so many videos with their females laying on the same substrate as i have mine on. also just general opinions on the substrate, or lack of, situation. my original collection is 'traditional' shavings, and the new ones are on their paper... this also kinda fits in the general section cause i'm leaning AGAINST hides as long as my pythons are in an appropriate sized tub and welcoming all imput on either of my concerns. thanks a millllllllion

For breeding, I'd keep them on newspaper only. I learned my lesson the hard way using shavings. My male orange ghost got some in his manly bits when he retracted them and it caused all sorts of problems that then called for a vet visit and his breeding season is cut short this year while he heals.

Newspaper or papertowels if you can

Wood chips if you have the time to check the vents after every "visit"

soooo shavings ok for the rest of the family or is it just as good to use papers? i'd think it'd stay warmer with something with substance. so with the female she's fine through laying and all simply on paper?

I use newspaper while breeding. So nothing happens to my males, I know I'd hate it if something got in my (you know).

Then once the female ovulates, I switch her over to cypress.

in my rack were i drop my breeders temp i use aspen shavings. but in my breeding tank i use bark. hope that helps.

I use paper or paper towel most of the year.
Breeding season I have used paper or aspen.
Never had any problems with either. During breeding season the females seem to prefer aspen and they utilize it for making "nests".
They "nest" (for lack of a better word) around their water dish and also at the back over the heat where they eventually lay.
-Steven

i started using aspen shaving for all 14 of mine and havent gone back since, i find that aspen shaving work the best for regulating the temps and humidity not to mention it isnt hard to clean and is pretty cheap if you buy a big bag

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Originally Posted by bailey23

in my rack were i drop my breeders temp i use aspen shavings. but in my breeding tank i use bark. hope that helps.

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Bark???

Why bark?