Substrate question

I've done a search and it seems that cypress mulch is an acceptable substrate for pythons. Right now I am using kiln dried pine pellets but they do nothing for the RH and are probably sucking moisture out of the air. So is this cypress mulch the same stuff I can pick up at a garden center?

Anyone

Pine is BAD BAD BAD for snakes. Take it out immediately. Anything is better than that, including cypress...

Edit: Didn't read the kiln part....not sure if it's still bad? Anyways yes cypress is fine, aspen, etc. I use aspen and don't have humidity issues.

The kiln dried pellets are the same as I use for my Guinea pigs. They have the same issues with pine as reptiles. It's a product called Equinepine. BUT I think it probably sucks moister out of the air. :(

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Originally Posted by Lferg

The kiln dried pellets are the same as I use for my Guinea pigs. They have the same issues with pine as reptiles. It's a product called Equinepine. BUT I think it probably sucks moister out of the air. :(

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I would assume kiln dried anything wouldn't be helpful with humidity. I use aspen, it's cheap and usually only have to mist once or twice a week (I don't use heat lamps), but I've heard cypress is better with humidity. I think it depends on where you live, if it's naturally humid then aspen is probably cheaper and easier to use, other than newspaper or paper towels of course lol.

I do believe kiln dried pine pellets are fine because they don't contain the phenols that natural pine does. The phenols in pine are what cause respiratory and skin problems in most animals, especially BPs. Kiln dried pine is believed to be safer but, yes, it does in fact suck the moisture out of the air. Counterproductive when trying to keep a Ball Python.

If you can get a hold of Aspen bedding, that is your best bet, above all else.

Kiln dried pine is fine. Been using it for decades without any issues.

We've had this debate many times...........

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ht=pine+debate

Pine is fine, people often confuse it with cedar for some reason.

I just use white newsprint. I can tell immediately if it is dirty and I can get huge rolls of it for free from the local newspaper. They change the roll when it gets low. So far I really like it. Although I do have to use a paper towel around the water dish.

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Originally Posted by Skiploder

Kiln dried pine is fine. Been using it for decades without any issues.

We've had this debate many times...........

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ht=pine+debate

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Do you just use something like moss to supplemental moister to raise the RH? Why can't I just use oasis foam enclosed in something? Same thing that is used in humidors.... Or even humidity beads..... I don't see why it can't be used in the enclosures. Totally encased so no chance of the animals getting into at all.

this is what works for me and i was suggested it by azreptile and some other herpvets near the valley.
cypress mulch mixed with some moss. the moss helps with moisture and softening the mulch up a bit.and add some moss on top of the substrate in some spots.

one herpvet even suggested dont worry about the humidity in the enclosure itself but offer a humid hide as the bps come out at night when the humidity is down and the air and land are dryer.he said bps live in burrows and the humidity idea comes from humid burrows bps chill in during the day to escape the heat and move closer to the surface when they need more warmth.
i experimented with these humid hides and found my bp only liked a humid hide on the warmer areas of the tank and the other hides normal.but i dont have problems with humidity anymore thanks to the mulch moss mixture.i still offer a humid hide though

oh ive heard youd have to sanitize the mulch you would get from the garden centers cause they could possibly harbor bad things. i dunno though.to be on the safe side id go petstores even though its a lil more expensive

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Originally Posted by Lferg

Do you just use something like moss to supplemental moister to raise the RH? Why can't I just use oasis foam enclosed in something? Same thing that is used in humidors.... Or even humidity beads..... I don't see why it can't be used in the enclosures. Totally encased so no chance of the animals getting into at all.

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You can try to raise the humidity in the enclosure, and fight an uphill battle.

Or you can provide a humid hide.

A humid hide can be achieve by placing damp spaghnum moss in the hide and re-wetting it every few days.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lferg

I've done a search and it seems that cypress mulch is an acceptable substrate for pythons. Right now I am using kiln dried pine pellets but they do nothing for the RH and are probably sucking moisture out of the air. So is this cypress mulch the same stuff I can pick up at a garden center?

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I've heard to be careful with the cypress from garden centers because it can have other types of wood mixed in and/or be contaminated.