What substrate do you use and why?

At the vet today! Bradley was having some mouth issues from getting so much of his substrate in there. I was about to switch to carpet when I was advised against it. I'd rather use something that looks a little nicer than paper towel- yes, I care about looks, but no, not as much as my snakes health- but if I can get something that looks good, keeps him healthy, and is easy to clean... well, that would just be peachy. So, what do you like?

I'm new to ball pythons but I use aspen bedding. It's not too expensive, easy to clean and looks nice. It seems to be a pretty popular choice as well.

I use eco earth because it holds humidity well. easy to clean.

I use aspen, and here's why;
1) inexpensive
2) widely available
3) easy to spot clean
4) snakes like to tunnel in it
5) easy to control humidity
If the concern is that some aspen might be swallowed, I suppose a small paper plate could be used for feeding.

I use Aspen bedding.
This is my first snake, I haven't tried anything else,
I have seen her swallow some during feeding time, no ill effects.
I see no reason to switch to another bedding.

Harry

If I recall, I think someone made a thread exactly like this yesterday..

But, I use aspen. Just because spot cleaning is simple and it lasts me a good couple months before needing to change it again. Snakes always shed just fine and have been using aspen for most of my snakes for the last 6 years.

I use newspaper
Its easy to clean. Just toss old, clean the tub, and place new when the snake has a bm.
And my python has been having perfect sheds so humidity is easy to keep up when in shed.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ginandbradley

At the vet today! Bradley was having some mouth issues from getting so much of his substrate in there. I was about to switch to carpet when I was advised against it. I'd rather use something that looks a little nicer than paper towel- yes, I care about looks, but no, not as much as my snakes health- but if I can get something that looks good, keeps him healthy, and is easy to clean... well, that would just be peachy. So, what do you like?

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I use indoor outdoor carpet. The key is to change it out right after the snake soils it. I have a rack system and the tubs steam up when they soil so I change the carpet out right away. The few times I have been away for more than one day I put aspen in the bins. The snakes defiantly prefer the carpet.

Cypress All the way!

1. fairly cheap.
2. easy to get(newegg FTW)
3. easy spot clean
4. humidity control.

:gj:

I use plain white paper towels. They are easy to clean, cheap, and easy to come by. I think they look nice and Vivi (I think that is the brand) is really soft and nice to work with. However all my snakes are in tubs so I couldn't see the substrate no matter what I use.

Newspaper.. its free and easy to clean. Only for my bp's though.

Indented Kraft paper. I can't really get away with spot cleaning, but at least I don't have to deal with a few hundred pounds of smelly bark in my snake room. I have enough of that nonsense on my handsl with the rats.

paper towels hands down. so easy to clean plus no odor. my BP loves it.

What kind of substrate you have used before what give You so much problems???

I use unprinted newspaper in my tubs. I like the ease of just pulling out the soiled paper and putting down clean paper. Humidity is not an issue for me since I use tubs for my snakes.

I use paper towels for my geckos.....I know I know its not a snake but still. Its easy to clean and change when you have your hands full

A&K Reptiles
aandk.reptiles@gmail.com
(607)-372-4195

I'm using repti-bark for my BP. I have a glass viv, so it helps with humidity.

i use newspaper cheap and easy clean up

I used to use aspen but got tired of them getting that stuck in their mouths while feeding so I just recently switched to indented craft paper from Uline.

I like the texture of it - it is very strong also. The snakes don't seem to mind it at all.

I have a glass terrarium setup, so the substrate that my snake is on is repti-bark. underneath the bark is organic potting soil, then a layer of sphagnum moss, then finally a two inch thick layer of large gravel. Humidity is great even though I have and open top and two big light fixtures. My snake also has access to a 2.1 gallon water bowl complete with a Betta buddy (water changed frequently)
I spot check daily. Once a month or more I replace the bark. Every six months or so I switch out the soil and moss and wash the gravel. It has live plants, so yeah, so this tank is the malibu barby doll house equivalent for snakes.
Overkill, sure