Substrate options?

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Originally Posted by Tsanford

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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Same. I much prefer pine over aspen. Doesn't mold nearly as easily, better absorbency, better odor control. I used to keep both on hand, but I don't bother with aspen anymore.

I thought aspen was bad for ball pythons?

I recently made the switch from paper towels to aspen sani chips. It's very easy to clean, clumps up almost like a kitty litter but is somewhat messy. I find myself sweeping the snake room after doing a good amount of cleaning. My snakes shed fine I usually just move the water dish into the back of the tub over the heat and havent had any issues so far. I do miss paper towels at times but being able to spot clean and a whole lot less paper waste is what keeps me from going back

... isn't pine bedding bad for snakes?

Sani chips are not too bad. I worry about them getting everywhere (the snake room is carpeted), but not bad... do the snakes ever manage to get a huge mouthful while eating? Any issues there?

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Originally Posted by BCS

I thought aspen was bad for ball pythons?

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Originally Posted by Penultimate

... isn't pine bedding bad for snakes?

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Plenty of guys here use Pine for their BP's without issue, and aspen is perfectly safe too.

As for the OP, I switched from aspen as it was really dusty and it's always in their water bowls. I'm sure switching to different bowls would have done the trick but I was also annoyed with constantly finding bits of aspen substrate in and around my house, it sticks to socks like velcro too! LOL

I switched to using this paper in my tubs and have been happy with it, I find clean up is less messy and faster, but every time they go you don't do a spot clean you just clean out the tub and replace the paper. I keep a bunch of extra tubs on hand already lined with paper to make the change even easier.

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Originally Posted by 200xth

Same. I much prefer pine over aspen. Doesn't mold nearly as easily, better absorbency, better odor control. I used to keep both on hand, but I don't bother with aspen anymore.

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I was sincerely wondering why so many places seem to lump pine in with cedar as things you don't want to use for substrate with snakes.
No one on here would recommend using cedar as the oils are toxic to snakes. But if you say it is ok to use pine are they wrong?, when they say you shouldn't use pine and why are they wrong, was just wondering and hoping you had the answer. please educate me, as I would like to know.

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Originally Posted by BCS

I thought aspen was bad for ball pythons?

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It's cedar that is bad for all snakes. But some sources say pine is bad, myself I don't know about pine whether it is bad or good.
Seems some people here like it and recommend it. Personally I like the eco-earth coconut, right now anyway. I would like to hear
even more about pine from the pine users.

.....I keep a bunch of extra tubs on hand already lined with paper to make the change even easier.

That's a pretty smart idea. No stress for the snake too, you don't have to find someplace to put them while you clean.

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Originally Posted by ballpythonsrock2

.....I keep a bunch of extra tubs on hand already lined with paper to make the change even easier.

That's a pretty smart idea. No stress for the snake too, you don't have to find someplace to put them while you clean.

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Exactly! I can change all 7 tubs in my rack in under 5 minutes then just clean the tubs and reline them with fresh paper for the next time. I also keep about a dozen spare clean hides ready to go as well as clean water dishes.

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

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

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Don't you find with paper that once they urinate / urate, the whole thing becomes soggy, then you must sanitize the tub.

Where as with shredded material, it absorbs the waste on site, allowing you to spot clean?



Also the pine debate has been here many times. If you search, I remember an informative post by skiploader on pine.

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