Don't use Eco Earth Loose coconut fiber substrate.

Thank you everyone!
My Boyfriend just got a Ball Python (Cherry) and wanted a more natural looking substrate for her, he found it hard to get facts and not a bias opinion about it but the snake "expert" at the pet store told him the only type you can ever be use for pythons is Aspen, I found this hard to believe so I started searching for options and found this site and posts.

It seams to me there are lots of options for substrate, and it comes down to personal choice and for you to take what ever precautions you can (just like any other pet) so we will try out different types until we find what works best for our selves. Thanks again

We use Eco earth. I love it and have never had any problems. Great for humidity, looks nice. Most of my snakes eat in seperate tubs, but the ones that don't have never had a problem with getting any in their mouth. As others have said, I am sure they consume things in the wild when feeding. I would not worry about using it. It's great stuff.

Coconut fiber is not that bad actually. Try feeding your snake outside of her cage. I mix 25% coconut fiber with 75% cypress mulch. The combo holds humidity really well and so far I haven't had any issues with it.

Orchid bark is what a friend of mine uses. Cypress mulch isn't bad either.

I use eco earth bricks (helps humidity) when ever I feed (F/T, or live to my Bela aka my bp) I put paper towel down over the area (opposite her hide) and put her on it and dangle the mouse in front of her. I have done this since one time she struck it and dragged a wet mouse on the substrate and ate bedding. Works perfectly then when she moves I remove the paper towel.
quick and easy plus she don't eat substrate. Good Luck

I just don't feed my ball pythons in their living enclosure, period. I.e living enclosure has loose substrate.

I read on Yahoo answers someone said not to do this? I guess their reason is they confuse you for food when you do this. I don't get that statement. If that's the case then they would every time you take them out to handle regardless. If they strike you when you take them out to feed, then you've probably either A.) waited to long and they're hungry or B.) Have handled the mouse before relocating your BP. BPs have excellent taste/smell. For me it only makes sense to take advantage of that. Especially for a picky eater. Which implies, find what works and stick with it. Choose a second enclosure exclusively for feeding. It keeps the smell of dead mouse there, and not in their enclosure. Drop them in the box, they smell the food, and know it's feeding time. Almost like a switch. Just remember, begin de-frostingm when it's about time move the snake, then take the mouse out of the packaging. Don't handle the mouse first. Like I said they will smell it and think your hand is a tasty mouse.

I have had excellent luck this way, and have only been bitten by my oldest snake 3 times in 5 years, and my two youngest never bitten yet.

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Originally Posted by DavesChillaxin

I just don't feed my ball pythons in their living enclosure, period. I.e living enclosure has loose substrate.

I read on Yahoo answers someone said not to do this? I guess their reason is they confuse you for food when you do this. I don't get that statement. If that's the case then they would every time you take them out to handle regardless. If they strike you when you take them out to feed, then you've probably either A.) waited to long and they're hungry or B.) Have handled the mouse before relocating your BP. BPs have excellent taste/smell. For me it only makes sense to take advantage of that. Especially for a picky eater. Which implies, find what works and stick with it. Choose a second enclosure exclusively for feeding. It keeps the smell of dead mouse there, and not in their enclosure. Drop them in the box, they smell the food, and know it's feeding time. Almost like a switch. Just remember, begin de-frostingm when it's about time move the snake, then take the mouse out of the packaging. Don't handle the mouse first. Like I said they will smell it and think your hand is a tasty mouse.

I have had excellent luck this way, and have only been bitten by my oldest snake 3 times in 5 years, and my two youngest never bitten yet.

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This topic has been covered many times. Not to mention that this thread is pretty dang old (was started over 5 years ago). Click this link --> http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...=1#post2301460 <-- for a MUCH better discussion on this topic than Yahoo Answers could ever dream of providing.

The spoiler alert is that there aren't any good reasons to feed a ball python in a separate enclosure if you actually take time to think about it.

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Originally Posted by Eric Alan

This topic has been covered many times. Not to mention that this thread is pretty dang old (was started over 5 years ago). Click this link --> http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...=1#post2301460 <-- for a MUCH better discussion on this topic than Yahoo Answers could ever dream of providing.

The spoiler alert is that there aren't any good reasons to feed a ball python in a separate enclosure if you actually take time to think about it.

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Except to keep them from swallowing substrate.
I used Aspen and it refused to hold any humidity. Added a bunch of moss and the entire house smelled like wet moss. Got rid of them both and bought Zilla Jungle Mix. Looks good, holds humidity very well. I', p[leased with it. And it doesn't smell!

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Originally Posted by Boomerang

Except to keep them from swallowing substrate.

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I don't think you read the thread I linked to...

Just use a paper plate or newspaper to feed on then. Paper towels is not good to feed on. And needing to feed in a separate bin is an old wivestale that really only applied to large constrictors.