New, (practically) Free, Bedding Idea!!!

So I can no longer find the finely shredded aspen anywhere. All I can find is the large chunky stuff. And I don't like just newspaper. So I got to thinking the other day about what to do and I had an epiphany!

I thought "what about using shredded paper for bedding?" Its free (I get sooooo much junk mail) and would be a good way to reuse all that paper. So I went to Staples, and picked up a paper shredder that cross-cuts (only $30 after $40 off!). And spent a few minutes shredding junk mail and old newspapers I had in the recycling bin.

And the results: so far so good! I only managed to cut up enough to do a couple of tubs. But it seems good so far. Its small enough that it will be scoopable for spot cleaning, and is also nice that the snakes can bury in it if they want. Plus its free and eco friendly!! (minus the cost of a paper shredder). Here are some pics of it and my spider girl on it.

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r...DSC_000222.jpg

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r...DSC_000722.jpg[/QUOTE]

Good idea, and beautiful snake too :gj:

That does seem like a pretty good idea.

i do this for my rats sometimes, haven't yet got a shredder though, i did it by hand

I tried that before but it was too messy. Difficult to spot clean. Well not to clean but to spot. they defecate and move around and it gets buried.

Thanks for a great idea!

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Originally Posted by sg1trogdor

I tried that before but it was too messy. Difficult to spot clean. Well not to clean but to spot. they defecate and move around and it gets buried.

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Really? From my "tests" I could scoop it out pretty easily. Seems it would be easy to separate the contaminated area, scoop it out, give it a quick wipe down with chlorhexidine and then put in some more.

I guess I'll have to wait for one to defecate.

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Originally Posted by blueapplepaste

Really? From my "tests" I could scoop it out pretty easily. Seems it would be easy to separate the contaminated area, scoop it out, give it a quick wipe down with chlorhexidine and then put in some more.

I guess I'll have to wait for one to defecate.

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Been using this bedding for the last 8 years, works great & recycles my junk mail into something useful. Just avoid staples & anything sticky & you are GTG! ;):gj:

PS I still use paper towels for new arrivals & hatchling (1st week) but that's it.

Cool idea Matt (and Deb)!

i tried it and was unpleased. the paper got everywhere. i agree with chris, it was difficult to spot clean.

I like the idea, but it seems like too much work to me. I like newsprint because it is so fast and simple. I just fold once and put it in the tub. If I only had a few snakes that would be the way to go though.

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Originally Posted by NorthernRegius

Been using this bedding for the last 8 years, works great & recycles my junk mail into something useful. Just avoid staples & anything sticky & you are GTG! ;):gj:

PS I still use paper towels for new arrivals & hatchling (1st week) but that's it.

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Good point with the staples. Haven't put any in yet, but probably would have not even thinking about it.

I stopped using Aspen, Cypress, and Shedded Newspaper about a year ago because I wanted to be able to feed my snakes in their tubs, and was not comfortable feeding on loose substrates.

Now, I just use folded Newspaper.

for those that use folded newspaper as a substrate, is it completely safe? i know i heard somewhere when researching it for my bird, they mostly use soy inks now, but is that safe for snakes?

i too would like to feed them in their tubs, but for now we've been using shredded aspen. i may switch to newspaper though, but maybe leave the aspen for my hatchling cornsnake, i think she likes it to hide in, her enclosure is rather big for her.

shredded aspen is pretty expensive where i live, $26.99 canadian for a 24 quart bag.

good idea, but like others have said... it has been done before. For $10 at petco i get a ginormous bag of aspen, and it lasts months with all my snakes.

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Originally Posted by katia

for those that use folded newspaper as a substrate, is it completely safe? i know i heard somewhere when researching it for my bird, they mostly use soy inks now, but is that safe for snakes?

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Newspaper inks are non toxic and ok for your snakes :gj:

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Originally Posted by hawaiianice99

good idea, but like others have said... it has been done before. For $10 at petco i get a ginormous bag of aspen, and it lasts months with all my snakes.

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I've never seen it before, but if its been done, then great! I just know that the bags of aspen I can find suck now. The pieces are too large IMO for what I want. And even with those big bags, I go through it fairly quickly.

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Originally Posted by Spaniard

Newspaper inks are non toxic and ok for your snakes :gj:

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thanks a lot, probably will be switching all but my hatchling corn to newspaper!

Thanks for this thread! Ive been considering doing this for a while but haven't. I have access to a commercial shredder at work and I was thinking about shredding up the newspaper I have to use as bedding, but didn't want to be the pioneer and didn't want to ask either. *shrug* Oh well Im going to try it now for sure!

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Originally Posted by katia

for those that use folded newspaper as a substrate, is it completely safe? i know i heard somewhere when researching it for my bird, they mostly use soy inks now, but is that safe for snakes?

i too would like to feed them in their tubs, but for now we've been using shredded aspen. i may switch to newspaper though, but maybe leave the aspen for my hatchling cornsnake, i think she likes it to hide in, her enclosure is rather big for her.

shredded aspen is pretty expensive where i live, $26.99 canadian for a 24 quart bag.

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The ink isn't toxic.. They will be fine on it... If you don't feel comfortable with it, (Or don want ink to wipe onto any of your animals) just buy a big roll of Unprinted newspaper from a local shipping/packing materials store... Thats what i use...
~Brandon

I do this for my rats, I have thought about doing it for my snake too but haven't yet. Seems like they would enjoy it because its easy to burrow in.

Not a fan of paper cuts, however.:rolleyes:

On another note; would it be safe to mist shredded paper? Seems like it would get soggy instead of humid.

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Originally Posted by rjk890

I stopped using Aspen, Cypress, and Shedded Newspaper about a year ago because I wanted to be able to feed my snakes in their tubs, and was not comfortable feeding on loose substrates.

Now, I just use folded Newspaper.

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From my experience, they pack it down easily with a few days, it clumps together making cleaning easy, no bugs like natural substrates. My younger BPs will also make "nests" or tunnels in it too.

If I get in a problem feeder, I fill their tub deep with the paper so they can feel secure & it seems to help get them back on track feeding. Mine always seemed to push sheet-type paper around so I went to this, but everyone who keeps snakes will find their favorite stuff. ;)

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Originally Posted by unrezt

On another note; would it be safe to mist shredded paper? Seems like it would get soggy instead of humid.

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Hmmmmmm, good question. It might. My humidity so far is staying up so I haven't needed to spray or anything.

I will be trying this out have to ask friends and family to bring me their junk mail. Also have to write some thank you letters to all the credit card companies for sponsoring my hobby.
BONUS!!!