Substrates? A Quick Run Down

I write a daily blog, and someone from the forum asked me to touch on Substrates.

So I did!

And I wanted to bring it here for you all to enjoy.

Let me know what you think!, and if I missed on something.

http://heathersherpsblog.blogspot.co...s-for-bps.html

cool, thanks!

I'm kinda having a hardtime deciding which substrate I will use once I get my BP
Im pretty set on Aspen, tho, thanks for the input!

Nice Info about absorption of pieces within the hemipenal areas when You use sanichips..,. I love that substrate.. Use it for my balls and for my House Snake... Will remember to switch My female to paper towels for breeding :gj::gj::gj:

Great post, I like it :gj: I'm sure it will be very helpful for those who come across it! :)

Thanks for taking the time to put that together for those that have questions:gj:

I just recently switched from aspen to cypress mulch myself and am loving it!

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Another con with Sanichips is that it is small enough to be ingested, but not small enough not to get embedded in the orifices of males.

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pro instead of con for this right?

I have never seen the Sanichips but I might try them now that I read your piece. I use papertowls now becuase I didnt like feeding over shedded Aspen becuase I was always worried about my snake eating chunks.
Thanks

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Originally Posted by rgang

pro instead of con for this right?

I have never seen the Sanichips but I might try them now that I read your piece. I use papertowls now becuase I didnt like feeding over shedded Aspen becuase I was always worried about my snake eating chunks.
Thanks

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I would say the first part of that statement is a con but, the second part could be seen as a pro.

I agree with most of what you said, but I think bark is an alright substrate. It's what I use. I suppose there is a risk of ingestion, but I can't see how aspen would be any less of a risk, especially the small chips for that matter. I imagine the risk is when the snake is shoving it's mouth along the prey item, picking up substrate.
The fact is, snakes aren't lizards. The risk of impaction from subsrate isn't the same. Snakes don't pounce on pray and slash their heads around. I'd be scared to put a bearded dragon on bark because it'll pick up bark instead of crickets.
Bark is also one of the best for smell and humidity.

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Originally Posted by nachash

I agree with most of what you said, but I think bark is an alright substrate. It's what I use. I suppose there is a risk of ingestion, but I can't see how aspen would be any less of a risk, especially the small chips for that matter. I imagine the risk is when the snake is shoving it's mouth along the prey item, picking up substrate.
The fact is, snakes aren't lizards. The risk of impaction from subsrate isn't the same. Snakes don't pounce on pray and slash their heads around. I'd be scared to put a bearded dragon on bark because it'll pick up bark instead of crickets.
Bark is also one of the best for smell and humidity.

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While I agree mostly, I have had issues with bark and splinters, which I didn't bring up in the blog. I will have to go back and edit. (Edit: DONE)

Back before I was breeding, I used bark, and the belly of my snakes would turn red with all of the particulate matter that collected between the scales of the belly...

Thank you for this Heather! For now I only use unprinted newspaper in my snakes' tubs. I did use cypress mulch but my male normal would try and burrow under it and I was so afraid that he would poke his eyes out with it.

huh, i don't think i've had problems with it. Can you describe with more detail what you found so I know what to look for. Honestly, I don't have any loyalty to bark, just what I've used. At first warning sign i'll switch. But, what are those signs?

I use repti bark and have no problems. I prefer to use something natural as snake do not live on newsprint or paper towels in the wild. I like to have it as natural as possible. I will keep an eye out for problems.

Some people don't like the EcoCarpet stuff but I bought two of them and they work great for me. I take the dirty one out put a clean one in and wash the dirty one with a soft bristle brush, let air dry, and it works great. My BP rubs against it when it sheds and I can see whenever it takes a crap and has a scent when it pees so I know when to clean it again.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nachash

huh, i don't think i've had problems with it. Can you describe with more detail what you found so I know what to look for. Honestly, I don't have any loyalty to bark, just what I've used. At first warning sign i'll switch. But, what are those signs?

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Brown belly... Dust in between belly scales. Brown dust.

stupid question may seem stupid to many of you, but still:

If feeding ontop of substrates is a concern and a reason not to get it, why not put the food in a"plate" of some kind until they eat? then you wait for the BP to get out of the plate and remove it?


sorry if it sounds too stupid or is too obvious